"A revolutionary idea that will enhance the way you shop for a motorcycle."
Motorcycle Fit: An Exciting New Initiative
by Petra Lattman, VTwin Mama
The Internet offers so many opportunities to research motorcycles before we visit dealerships. Whether someone is new to the adventure in riding or looking for that next bike or dream bike,on-line research can help narrow down the possibilities, whether it's about $$, cc engine size, seat height, styling, or performance. Given that there is a heightened sense that the fastest growing market in the industry encompasses a lot of shorter people (aka women!), the research tools, in my humble opinion, still fall short of the mark.
I am perplexed when looking at manufacturer's sites. I see many pictures of the bike models, along with the specifications, accessories, and financing information. Sure, we'll also catch a glimpse of a picture of a rider on the make/model, but who is to say exactly why that bike looks like a good fit?
Well, I've finally decided to do something about it. It's called Motorcycle Fit Charts. What I'm doing is gathering pictures of people ( women, as well as men) sitting on their bikes. I ask for the rider's height/inseam along with the year/make/model of the bike and any modifications done to make it a dream come true.
The MFC's are organized this way: each manufacturer has their own page, and on that page, each model is listed. I have the cruisers, standard, sport, touring, and sport touring models uploaded into ascending engine cc size. Then each bike model has a chart with slots from 4'8" up to 6'3". I started gathering every picture of myself(5'10") on bikes taken at motorcycle show in 2007 and this year, and loaded them in. Then, any picture I had available on my VTwin Mama site or Message Board with supporting information was uploaded.
The initiative is just getting started but you can help provide what I consider to be an innovative concept in research tools. Pleas visit: vtwinmama.com to share your picture and information. I'll simply add that in many cases, it's useful to have both the feet-to-the-ground shot as well as the foot-to-control shot. Those forward controls can be a real stretch for some.
Together we can provide a wonderful resource to any rider trying to imagine themselves on a particular biker of interest!
Hugs, Petra, VTwin Mama
i think this is a great idea!! i've often wondered about just such things when glancing thru pictures, but then when you go to the shows and actually sit on the bikes, or go for a test ride, it's sometimes a whole other story, and not what you thought. glad someone finally thought of this idea!!
Posted by: Dawn | July 12, 2008 at 06:55 AM