Forum

[Jamesy]

I have always preferred my seating position on all motorcycles I have owned to have both feet planted firmly on the ground when at a standstill.I was surprised on the new generation and indeed the 2003 re350 I have to be up on my toes.I have a 30 inch inside leg size.I know Indian men are ain't an average 6 feet plus height size so why is this?

[Leon Novello]

These motorcycles are supposed to be built to 1955 or around that era specifications, with modern improvements. I always thought they were big, but compared with todays large machines they look small. This photo of myself on my 1949 Ariel Red Hunter, when I was 18 in 1952, shows how low it was, even after I had fitted a dual seat at a cost of £10.

[stinkwheel]

It's not the seat height, it's the seat width. Those standard Indian dual seats are very wide and make you angle your legs out to the side when you put a foot down. A narrower nosed seat will make an enormous difference.

[Jamesy]

That makes sense stinkwheel.I know our hosts have a number of dual and solo seats for sale is there any one that would lower my feet.

[stinkwheel]

It's never been an issue for me. I'm 6'2" so I look like a circus elephant on a bicycle on my bullet anyway, the bars hit my knees and pull in the decompressor if I'm not careful. I'm sure others have had similar issues and can advise better though.

[p]

I played around with seat height a while back, but having tried a lower setting I actually ended up raising it an inch or two from standard to give, for me, a more comfortable riding position. I also found bike seemed easier to handle like this, and it seemed to make the bike feel smaller!I do agree that seat shape makes a difference.
I guess it must be individual taste, but for OP, i guess there is some limited scope to lower suspension slightly if it would help?

[Leon Novello]

Seat width does make a difference, this is why most horse riders are bow -legged.

[Alan R]

Hi guys--------wide seats are not limited to our glorious "Brit Bikes" either....Has anyone sat on / ridden a Honda CB750 K6 etc ??........I've owned 2 over a period of 5 years and in both cases my legs were forced out at an angle of at least 45 degrees !!......Combine that with a sloping tank rear end, a heavy downpour of rain and suddenly your world becomes VERY damp indeed !!........mind you the 350 BSA B40 Army despatch riders bike wasn't much better as it was fitted with the big 4 gallon (?) tank from their 650 roadsters I believe ...but I could at least put my feet on the ground comfortably though.......Hi Leon, snappy-looking young dude in that photo... In 1952 I was only 3 but now have a bus pass and similar B&W photos to remind me that}----"Once we were young"....oh well..at least we are still "Vertical and above ground" ( The opposite of which doesn't bear contemplating ).....Ride Safe !!