Formula For Motorcycle "Legroom" And Overall Fit?

 

Reading responses from my post about the Yamaha V-Star 250, I've
perhaps come to the conclusion that maybe a "cruiser" type bike is
simply not adaptable to my  6' 4"  245 lb. frame unless I go to a much
bigger one in the 650 cc and up range.  That I am not inclined to do
because of price and the fact it would be overkill for my commuting
needs (45-50 mph for 17 miles and mostly on secondary paved
backroads).

Recently I heard about some system/program/whatever that can give a
person a tool of sorts to measure comfort/fit (i.e. legroom, etc.) on
any motorcycle.  It may be bogus but thought I'd run it by the great
minds on rec.motorcycles just in case there was any validity to it.

It's called some sort of triangle wherein one takes measurements from
the footpegs to the handlebars and then back to the seat at the rear
of the rider's buns and then back to the footpegs, creating a
triangular measurement that allegedly (c'mon now, I didn't dream this
up) can translate into S, M, L, LT, XL etc. sizing for potential
riders.

Has anyone heard of this and/or was somebody smoking something when
they thought this up or does anyone think it has any possibilities as
a tool for selecting a motorcycle depending upon the rider's size, leg
length, arm length, etc.?

J.S.

 

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:07:12 -0700 (PDT), "J.S."


You're making a mistake by forgetting size is relative.  Just buy the
size of cruiser that will fit you (second-hand if the price for
something new is too much).  You're 245 lb self will make it perform
like a 650 cc would for a smaller guy anyway.

 

On Jul 28, 9:57 pm, langkd_NO_S...@shaw.ca (Road Glidin' Don) wrote:

w is too much).  You're 245 lb self will make it perform like a 650 cc wo=
uld for a smaller guy anyway.

Don, I really haven't forgotten that size is relative.  I realize
there are plenty of big bikes out there that would be very comfortable
for me but I'm not looking for a highway cruiser that gets 55-60 mpg,
is Interstate-ready and goes 70-80 mph.  I need something for a short
15-17 mile commute over paved backroads at 45-50 mph and 85+ miles per
gallon.  So a nearly 500 lb.Yamaha FJR1300A would fit me okay but the
$13,000 price tag wouldn't and even used in that category is out of
budget.

Now back to the subject of my original post.  Have you ever heard of
this so-called "triangle formula" to gauge bike-rider compatibility?

J.S.

 



Enjoy your scooter then.

 



Why limit the choice to cruisers, though?  There are lots of
bikes out that that would fit a 6' 4", 245-lb rider that don't
suffer from the ergonomics and handling trade-offs of the
"cruiser" style.

Bob M.