SKILLS
Cornering Comfort By Jon DelVecchio #208163 For many motorcyclists, cornering is the highlight of the ride. It’s the thrill of leaning into a curve and feeling the bike respond to your every movement. But all too often, riders find themselves struggling during those tight turns. Neglected handlebar adjustments, poor foot component set-up, or troublesome navigation device placement can quickly turn an exhilarating twisty road into a challenging ordeal. The secret to corner mastery isn’t just about motorcycling techniques; it’s about optimizing your bike’s ergonomics to ensure your body moves fluidly with the machine. In this article, we’ll dive into the often-overlooked aspects of cornering ergonomics and how fine-tuning your setup can make every curve feel smoother, more controlled, and ultimately more enjoyable.
96 BMW OWNERS NEWS | January/February 2025
Like many, when choosing a motorcycle, I make sure it passes the “fit test.” This quick evaluation includes swinging a leg over the bike, checking the reach to the handlebars, the bend in the legs, and the seat height in relation to the ground. I’ve occasionally purchased motorcycles without performing the fit test, relying instead on educated guesses informed by experience. While websites like Cycle-Ergo.com and Motonomics.com provide ergonomic measurements by make and model, I’ve yet to meet anyone–including myself–who has actually used them to guide a buying decision. The reality is that most riders either adapt to a bike’s stock ergonomics or make minor adjustments to better suit their body dimensions. Common tweaks after purchasing a motorcycle include rotating the