Motorcycle riding positions by style
Five riding styles, each modeled on the same default rider. They are examples, not specifications for any manufacturer or motorcycle model.
For the default rider, knee angle runs from 60.7° (Sport) to 96.4° (Cruiser) and elbow angle from 134.5° (Cruiser) to 138.7° (Standard). Torso lean runs from 8° to 25°, and inseam minus seat height from -28 mm to +142 mm.
Assumptions
One example rider, 1750 mm (5 ft 9 in) tall, on every page. Only the bike and lean change.
- Torso length
- 504 mm
- Upper arm
- 285 mm
- Forearm
- 345 mm
- Thigh
- 429 mm
- Shin
- 499 mm
- Inseam
- 842 mm
Measure your inseam first, then use the seat height vs inseam chart.
Style results
| Style | Torso lean | Knee angle | Elbow angle | Inseam minus seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 15° | 69.4° | 138.7° | +22 mm |
| Sport | 25° | 60.7° | 137.5° | +32 mm |
| Cruiser | 8° | 96.4° | 134.5° | +142 mm |
| Touring | 10° | 73.0° | 135.6° | +92 mm |
| Adventure | 12° | 73.1° | 135.9° | -28 mm |
How to read the results
Near 180° means straighter; smaller means more bent. Unreachable means the limbs cannot span that distance, so recheck your measurements, or try the bar or peg closer or with more lean. Reachable does not mean comfortable or safe. Terms are in the glossary.
By riding style
Compare two styles
- Standard vs Sport riding position
- Standard vs Cruiser riding position
- Standard vs Touring riding position
- Standard vs Adventure riding position
- Sport vs Cruiser riding position
- Sport vs Touring riding position
- Sport vs Adventure riding position
- Cruiser vs Touring riding position
- Cruiser vs Adventure riding position
- Touring vs Adventure riding position
Data file
The original modeled results shown here and in this JSON download may be shared and adapted under CC BY 4.0. Credit Rider Triangle. This applies to the original modeled data only; third-party source material is excluded.
CC BY 4.0 license terms (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International).