How to Tour on a Sports Motorcycle
by Ujjwal Dey
So, you bought an expensive Aprilia RS457 or a reasonable practical Hero Karizma ZMR 210 or maybe a cheesy café racer from Swedish Husqvarna and out you go racing into the streets and highways….but can you go the distance?
Sports touring seems popular everywhere except India. How does one ride a sports bike or a café racer for 500 kms or more without deforming your spine and internal organs? LOLz. Just kidding. It ain’t that bad at all.
While sports bikes and café racers turn all heads—they do seem to bend all backs for the worse of wear among new owners. As with any new device or practice, you need “practice” and solutions specific to your height, body, and bike.
After all, a motorcycle is meant for travel and if its on two-wheels then it rolls over most surfaces unless you have a really specific need such as extreme off-road or stunts or really dangerous race tracks or terrains.
Let’s discuss a motorcycle’s use and application before your sports touring trick, tip and mystery.
People have an illusion that the motorcycles they buy for less than half a million rupees are great purpose-oriented motorcycles. That one will cruise and the other will take you over Ladakh and Kargil whereas one more will beat the speed of a local domestic airline’s passenger carrier. Trust me—these expectations are your conditioned brainwashed delusions through bombardment of advertising and marketing and local tea-tobacco stop gossip.
Truth is, your road-ready motorcycle was vetted by the Government and the Police before reaching your hands. Unless you spent some top dollar, your motorcycle is really true-blue, blue-collar.
So, fear not, your average neighborhood motorcycle can always do whatever your own or your neighbor’s motorcycle does. You don’t need a marketing gimmick or celebrity to boost your motorcycle’s performance or your morale into travelling inter-State or across valleys and mountains.
Your motorcycle is meant for regular conditions and nowhere in your user manual you will find a recommendation to take it to “Himalayas” or “no-roads” or into the swamps or hot barren desert and across cold shallow river beds.
So as long as you respect the instrument of your adventure, you will enjoy the adventure. Blaming the brand and its manufacturing or components used is assuming too much. If you had to actually pay full price, you would rather not ride motorcycles. So, the warranty is for normal use as is your motorcycle insurance. Using the motorcycle in extreme ways, terrains, weather, et al will or should void your warranty and should probably get you to retake a driving license exam.
Just as a human pauses when running hot or stressed—a machine is to be expected to receive its due concern for its well-being.
Sports touring is no magic trick nor is it necessarily a pain in the back and butt. For example, seats of various brands of motorcycles have various designs and often it incorporates reasons such as aesthetics, price and rival brand preference. This is not unique to sports bikes.
People do sports touring on sport motorcycles by adopting various postures, using core strength to support their weight, and engaging their legs to grip the tank, which helps distribute weight and reduce strain on the back. Other strategies include taking frequent breaks to stretch and change position, using gel seats for comfort, and traveling light.
A combination of these techniques allows riders to endure long-distance rides on bikes designed for a forward-leaning, aggressive stance.
Rider Techniques
Use Your Core and Legs:
Support your upper body with a strong core and by clamping the motorcycle tank with your knees and thighs. This takes pressure off your arms and back.
Maintain a Light Grip:
Don’t hold on with your hands; keep your wrists and elbows bent and loose to avoid fatigue.
Move Around:
Shift your body weight on the seat and stretch periodically to relieve pressure points.
Place Weight on the Pegs:
Put the balls of your feet on the footpegs to help with balance and weight distribution.
Bike & Gear Adjustments
Higher Clip-Ons:
Some riders find comfort by using clip-on handlebars that are raised higher, creating a less extreme forward lean.
Gel Seats:
Consider a gel seat to provide added cushioning and comfort on long journeys.
Travel Light:
Carrying less weight reduces the overall load on the rider and the bike, which can increase comfort.
Breaks and Pacing
Take Regular Breaks:
Stop frequently to stretch and change positions, especially your hands, arms, and back.
Stay Hydrated:
Good hydration is essential for muscle function and overall endurance during a long ride.
Important Considerations
Not Designed for Comfort:
Understand that sportbikes are built for performance, not long-distance comfort, so managing discomfort is key.
Aches and Pains are Common:
It’s not unusual for sportbike riders to experience increased body aches in the back, neck, and shoulders after extended riding.
So, know what you are doing, know your vehicle and enquire about where you are heading. Simply leaping before looking is the Fool’s way in Tarot and in travel.
NOTE: Let us know by email to GET@Budvice.com your doubts, concerns, confusions, objections or suggestions as they may be. We will try to address them in follow-up articles.
Meanwhile, here is a great review of Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
