Set Up Your Motorcycle Controls
Mastering the art of riding hinges on precise control, and the efficiency of your controls profoundly shapes your overall experience. The fundamental principle is to position the controls in a way that enables instant and accurate usage. The riding encounter relies on this factor, and, in a critical situation, your health and safety may hinge on it as well. Motorcycles typically feature five individual controls: throttle, clutch, shift lever, front brake, and rear brake. While not all may be fully adjustable on every machine, most come with built-in adjustability to accommodate different rider sizes and postures. The key is achieving the right fit.
Throttle
Adjusting the throttle is crucial for obvious reasons. On motorcycles equipped with electronic fuel injection, ensuring the cable slack is set to factory specs is usually sufficient. For carbureted bikes, which may range from vintage to current models, maintaining minimal slack in the cable and ensuring safe routing are essential. Cable tension should not be affected when the handlebar turns or suspension compresses or extends.
Clutch Lever
The clutch lever on your motorcycle may have one, two, or three possible adjustments, depending on the bike’s age, make, and model. Ideally, you can rotate the clutch lever bracket on the handlebar to position the lever comfortably. Adjust the bracket by slightly loosening the fastener(s) with a screwdriver or socket wrench, rotating the bracket, and then retightening it. Clutch lever adjustment varies based on the type of clutch. Cable clutches often feature an easy-to-adjust thumbwheel or star wheel, while hydraulic clutches may have an adjustable pushrod near the pivot point.
Some clutch levers are also adjustable for “reach,” catering to different hand sizes. This adjustment is achieved through a simple eccentric built into the lever near the pivot point.
Shift Lever
The shift lever’s position should allow for quick, easy, and precise shifting. Sit in your normal riding position and consider whether your boot naturally rides above the lever or if the toe box drops below it. The ideal adjustment ensures you neither overtly flex your ankle to upshift nor overextend it to downshift. Adjustments may involve repositioning the lever directly on the engine’s shift shaft or adjusting a remote pivot on a separate spindle.
Front Brake Lever
Considered one of the most crucial adjustments, the front brake lever provides most of the stopping power. Ensuring the lever is positioned for seamless transition from throttle grip to full lever grasp is vital. Adjustment involves loosening the lever bracket or perch and possibly rotating the hydraulic master cylinder. Some levers may be adjustable for “reach” through a simple eccentric near the pivot point.
Rear Brake Pedal
The rear brake lever’s ideal position is beneath the toe box of your boot. Adjustments may involve a lever stop or an adjustment hex nut, wingnut, or thumbwheel on older or mechanically operated units. Hydraulic disc brakes are typically less adjustable, but the brake should engage before the lever moves significantly.
Perfecting the adjustment of motorcycle controls to suit your physique is a skill that improves with practice. Collaborating with friends on their bikes can turn it into a shared learning experience and ensure a win-win outcome.
