Recently I've been trying a slightly different riding position and it has really helped with my cornering.

I've been riding with my feet all the way forward, ie at about 35 degrees pressed up against the front of the footwell. I've then been leaning back so my back is at an angle of maybe 75-80 degrees. This means my arms are more outstretched.

The downside is that over long distances my back is aching slightly as the back rest presses more into the small of my back (a 3rd party backrest may cure this). The upside is that corners feel much smoother and natural as my body seems to shift balance much easier making the whole process just feel 'right'. I should point out that I'm 6 foot 1.

I was just wondering if any other folks used this position or maybe something else?

My feet are on the bottom of the front vertical floorboard, but I lean forward in a "sport touring" posture.

My scooter has enough weight already on the rear wheel. Sitting straight up, or leaning back only adds to that. Most bikes handle better when there's more weight on the front and this adds to that.

Plus, it is more comfortable. The more upright position transfers all the jolts and bumps straight into the spine. It hurts. By leaning forward some, the rear lifts up and down, but there is not jolt to the spine. It simply tilts like a teeter-tooter up and down.

If you look at pictures of riders who race scooters, you will see them leaning forward too. If it didn't work, they wouldn't be doing it.

Chris

Well, seeing as I recently totaled my Swing I think my favorite riding position would be UPRIGHT WITH WHEELS DOWN!! But I do shift my position when I ride ... (rode) .... for longer distances, I would do as wingnprayer and lean back a bit with my feet stretched forward ... when that was tiring, I would sit upright, with my feet on the floorboards. Sometimes I would lean forward a bit so I could feel my turns betters ...

I like to be up on top of things, so i can control the action. read what you want into that!

Feet forward for me, ever since my Helix days and the Best Feet Forward MCC started my interest in maxi scooters. In fact I find it unnatural riding with my feet flat down on the floorboards. If I need to stretch or break wind, it's easy to lift both butt cheeks off the seat for a few seconds in the FF position.

Where is Gene (Skiwoods) when you need him?


My lips are seaMMMMphhh mmmm PPPhh sealed! Ahhsay "Sealed that is,boy"! SEALED!

Feet FLAT on the deck. I like to do alot of high speed riding and in order to corner you need to crouch forward as others have observed. This is in order to weight the front wheel.

I like to use the restroom BEFORE I take a ride, not during.

Feet forward 99% of the time, except when slow speed turning. The rear weight transfer makes the Swing more stable at very low speeds, especially when doing U-turns without touching the ground.

Feet Forward for max. control. Feet and legs impportant to control. Press right with foot go right, etc

Varies, I try feet all way forward but having long legs they don't really stretch much, that seems to be the more relaxed position. If I want to do a little faster paced roads with lots of curves I prefer my feet more toward the back, kind of flat on the boards.

I found also the the seat kind of slope toward the front a bit, so that make me change position a few times while riding.

Usually flat on the boards, particularly for city riding where you're doing a lot of stop and go, easier to put my feet down quickly. Also I feel like I have a bit better control and I'm more alert - strictly psychological I'm sure. On longer rides with no stops, on I think it's a good idea to change position every so often so I move my feet forward from time to time.

Chris

Just because your feet are positioned forward, does not necessarily mean you are relaxed.

I often brace my lower half of the body between the forward portion of the footrest and my rear against the butt-rest. It is the closest thing to gripping the fuel tank with your knees on a motorcycle.

Chris

That's what I meant by flat on the boards- My feet are usually directly lined up under my knees, which gives the best contact with the board and the most leverage at the same time.

carlosw wrote:

cjuzda wrote: Usually flat on the boards, particularly for city riding where you're doing a lot of stop and go, easier to put my feet down quickly. Also I feel like I have a bit better control and I'm more alert - strictly psychological I'm sure. On longer rides with no stops, on I think it's a good idea to change position every so often so I move my feet forward from time to time. Chris The truth is that there is more control when having the feet rearward and planted on the boards. It is easier to move your body and make the bike go where you want it. When sitting with the feet all the way forward, it's more relaxed and harder to flog the bike left or right. All relatively speaking of course since the Silverwing is not a race bike or heavy bike. But a slouched position with feet forward gives a little less control in case of emergency. I think that's why I like to move around, there are times when you can cruise in a relaxed way and when it's best to be ready for anything...

I am not height challenged...I just fit comfortably in economy class seats on airlines. So yes, I fit the description you have of short arms and short legs.

I'd never really thought about what it would be like with the longer arms and legs...I just assumed you could move the butt rest back to get the distance needed, but perhaps not. Thanks for the perspective.

Chris

At your age, Mildew, I would bet $ that mustering up anything for a second is a challenge.

After all the farkling on your Silverwing is done I'd lay odds you are still just a keyboard rider.

Name your odds, donkeyhater.

Why don't we hear of Donkeyhater on the tracks of the world? :rolling

Folks - play nice. Stick to the topic and stop the slap fight.

Thanks, Dale.

Chris

Scheesh! Who'dathunk that a topic as benign as preferred riding position would elicit such a barrage. For me, my preferred riding position depends on the type of riding. If I am riding aggressively I try to put more weight on the front wheel by tucking me feet as far back on the foot rests as they can go and leaning forward into the dash. In traffic I have one foot forward and one back. On a long cruise I shift from feet forward to feet back to one forward and one back to leaning back to leaning forward. This is one of the greatest advantages of the Swing. You can try many different positions to keep from getting too tired or sore.