Why do you get pain, fatigue, numb hands and general discomfort?

We all purchase a motorcycle we want via looks, type of use or centered on price. Then we ride it......

We fail to take a look at and fix the ergonomic issues that we need to assess, alter if we can and change with investment to fit our anatomy based on spine and arm length, hand size and finger length, down angle from the shoulders and how much room we have in the rider seat for any freedom of movement.

This video guides you purposefully through the "cockpit triangle" measurements and how you can assess yourself and your needs against what your motorcycle provides you with.

Adaption is our best and worst quality as a human. Do not adapt to your motorcycle - get the ergonomics corrected to eliminate pain, fatigue, numb hands and general discomfort!

You can do this!

[XRedJar]

Glad to see you back Dave!! Hope you're doing well.

[bluewickedburner]

Anyone who reads my comments knows I am often critical but the videos made by Dave Moss are the jewels of Youtube when it comes to setting up your bike.

This is important stuff here. You might think numb hands is no big deal but it can sneak up on you. You're riding and you get tingles and don't pay much attention, you shift weight and maybe change your grip a bit and think it's all good. Then you need to stop and find your fingers aren't working. Your fingers are on the brake lever but you can't feel it or just as bad, can't moderate the brake force. No ABS is going to save you.

Watch and listen this man, he knows and the way you can tell between that and all the other videos is he explains what he says without fanfare, just reasoned and factual information. After more years of riding than most people have been alive, (remember Indian mini-bikes?) I learn something every time I watch a Dave Moss Tuning video. I know, it sounds cheesy and like an ad but unless you know it all then watch his videos and learn more.

[Achilles]

Dave has transformed my last 2 bikes with his set up advice. I now understand static sag and motorcycle ergonomics, very important as I’m 6ft 4ins and Japanese bikes are not set up for my size and weight. Thanks Dave.

[scottbelcourt]

I remember a previous video of yours I saw a few years ago where you asked some track riders this exact same thing. You said "what's the first thing you modified?" And they all said "exhaust". You then had them sit on their bikes and explained the importance of "Ergos" where you adjusted the bar distance, bar angle and clutch & brake handles for maximum comfort with what they had.

I had just recently bought a second-hand z900, and the previous owner had only modified the exhaust as well 😂 I'm a tall guy, and I hadn't realized how hunched over I was and how much I had to twist my hands for the bar & handles, or that I could fix it. I immediately went and got a riser and adjusted the sweep & put the handles in line with my arms, and the relief was immense.

Never would have thought about it without your video. Thanks so much for 3 years of pain-free commuting ♥️

[ryleperera]

Great job explaining after 50 years of riding I have learned something new

[apexleo]

First bike was 06 FZ6-S and I loved bike but my back, shoulders and hands were killing me after 1+ hour of riding it. Never really understood what was problem. At first I thought I just have to get "used" to ride a bigger bike. After 1 year I decided to get Tracer 900 GT and from moment I sat on it I felt as comfortable as I could have dreamed of. Did 25 hour ride (about 1600km) on it with small stops and other than my azz hurting from that long ride I had 0 issues. Now when I actually saw this video, it all makes sense. Handlebars are much wider, straighter and taller than FZ6 and lucky enough are exactly as they have to be for no pain at all. Thanks for video!

[DnilSnk]

I would like to see a part two of this video, where you get more in depth into motorcycle comfort

[kevindowell]

Building core strength helped me with wrist, shoulder and between the shoulder blades pain on my K1200GT. Core carrying my torso weight instead of supporting it pressing on the grips. I still occasionally catch myself supporting my torso weight by leaning on the grips instead of using my core. The peg height and slightly behind position initially caused knee and hip pain. I noticed I was carrying my body weight on the pegs. I learned to relax my hips and sit on the seat rather than sitting on the pegs. My pain wasn’t so much the ergonomics of the bike as it was I didn’t have the fitness or awareness how the ergonomics affected me. Increased fitness and awareness where and how I carried the weight significantly reduced fatigue and aches.

[richardboivin]

I agree with your intro Dave. With time, I realized that when it comes to choose a bike, there's a huge difference between what you want and what you really need...

[andrewandlm]

No!
Do an experiment... hold a flat palm away from you as if pushing someone away.
Look at the angle of your fingers, they wont be vertical to the ground.
Move your hand so they are vertical, you feel your chest and shoulder get tight.
The ideal position to gold ANY bar in any situation is to have the bar acros the palm of your hand so our elbows HAVE to be out.
If your elbows are in, the stress is through small arm muscles.
To engage the larger back muscles rotate your elbows up.
ALL bike training courses advise this, from flat tracking to motorcross to road riding.
And by doin this your weight will be split across your bum and back, and will make the bike feel larger and less compact.

[nightfury]

Love ya Dave!!! It's always a good morning when there's one of your videos in my feed. 😉

[bccapone]

So that bike is definitely built for the shorter rider then, great to see you back Dave, you've taught us all so much over the years, your a legend 👍🏼👌🏼

[scottmurray]

Dave, your the best. I always enjoy your insights into what makes a bike work better for the individual rider. Thanks again for the great content.

[Pabloman]

The bucket seat not providing an optional position is the biggest draw back to riding a sporty bike.

[willbalkovec]

Great explanation of Fit.
I'm 6ft.2 - long inseams and arms.

First bike was a 2006 Honda 599 Hornet and the hand position at the end of the bars rang so very true. I would ride with my palms at the edge of the grips with half my hand off, straightened at a different angle. Change in bars helped immensely.

Upgraded to a 2009 Triumph Speed Triple - my goodness what a difference the riding triangle makes for comfort.

As always, Thank You for the great videos and explanations. They've all been excellent, a huge catalogue of knowledge and value.

[OnlyTheStrongSurvive]

I have had my new 2023 Honda Rebel 1100 DCT for two months and swapped out the seat for a Corbin because the OE seat was uncomfortable. I have no issues with the fit of my bike!! Excellent motorcycle and I have over 5000 km on it!!

[danieljuno]

Yeah after 1.5 hours on a 650r 2017 I start getting pain in my wrists and numb hands. Nice explanation!

[dstjepan]

Mr. Dave: this one is one of the best. Thank you. It has been a while since I checked your lessons. Glad that YT offered this one to check.

[thedarkknight]

I had a Suzuki RF900RW (I sorely miss it, it was phenominally underrated bike), but I also modified her with a coupla 'Tweeks', first to raise the standard 'Clamp on' handlebars, then I moved onto the Bandit 1200 Yoke & 1 piece par setup, WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Night and day!!! So for the guys & gals that aren't aware, YES, IF your current 'Steed' makes you uncomfortable, look for (being your bikes' make and model) & Handlebar risers/replacement kit", get it fitted correctly by a qualified/experienced bike tech, and you WILL ride with more confidence because of less pain! What's more, you may very well find you have more control over your 'Beastie' too! 👌👍
😎🇬🇧

[brianperry]

Years ago l owned a Guzzi Lemans 850 and a Ducati 900 bevel drive. these bikes were of course 'cafe racer/road racer' style bikes...before the term Sports bike was commonly used. l would move the Clip-ons, plus the angle of the control levers. But one just had to suffer for the sake of 'The look' ...Now, more than forty years later ....I'm listening Dave..!