Adventures in Customization: Fit

DH went on a long ride (4700 MILES!) last year, so it was imperative that his bike fit him for comfort and safety on that long ride. Thankfully for Fit all DH needed was Handlebars - probably the priciest prospect in all of customizing, but it was all he needed. I also ride as a passenger on his bike so we have a back rest (aka Sissy Bar) to keep me from falling off the back of the bike. (not really an issue with most people, but I am a klutz and foresight is key!) Fit wise, Brad's bike is done. Basically I have to chalk this up to DH picking a bike that fit him very well in the first place - He's now well into the Function of his bike, but that's for a later post.

My turn - Welllll...I thought I picked a bike that fit me fairly well, and turns out I really don't have much choice in the matter. Of all the bikes I sat on only 3 fit me reasonably well, and they are all Harleys (and I sat on A LOT of bikes from every manufacturer out there. Don't believe me? Well ask DH, he'll groan and roll his eyes for ya!) Since price was a factor in choosing my bike, I was not able to get the bike with the least amount of modifications necessary. Instead, I stayed in my price range and of course picked the pretty bike over the sensible one. Go Me!

There are 3 things necessary to make a bike fit anyone, let alone fit a tiny person like me. Even on a bike as (physically) small as mine. These things are: Seat Width, Seat Height, and Handlebar Reach. First, Seat Width, the stock seat was too wide and deep. I was too far away from the handlebars and my feet were so far apart I was on my tip toes. So, got a cheap seat that was very narrow at the front and has lots of padding to keep me up close to the handlebars. I had hoped this was all I would need to do to my scoot, as the other options are much more expensive Mods.

Last year I rode my bike with the seat as the only mod. At the end of the season, I was tired and sore and still wobbly on my bike. In fact I dropped it fairly regularly, and was unsure I was going to get the hang of this sport.