Q: Seat and screen adjustments

SEAT HEIGHT: If your bike has an adjustable seat height, experiment with the different settings to find one that suits your height and riding style. A higher seat can improve legroom and control for taller riders, while a lower seat helps shorter riders get both feet down at a stop. Remember though, while it’s important to feel confident performing slow-moving manoeuvres and when you’re stopped, it’s equally important to be comfortable and have the optimal range of movement when you’re riding. So make clever compromises where necessary. If your seat height isn’t adjustable and doesn’t quite suit you, many manufacturers offer genuine options to both lower or increase the height of your seat, and there are aftermarket options and inserts available, too. WINDSCREEN: Similarly, if your bike has a windscreen, try adjusting the angle or height to reduce buffeting. Even a few millimetres can redirect wind away from your helmet or chest and make highway riding far more comfortable. Getting the airflow right can also reduce wind noise and long-ride fatigue, helping you stay more focused and relaxed. If your screen doesn’t adjust, aftermarket options are an affordable way to customise airflow.

Q: Suspension matters too

RIDER SAG: Your suspension plays a big role in both comfort and confidence, especially if your bike feels harsh over bumps or wallows through corners. And while we won’t go into the nitty gritty of suspension tuning here, one of the most important settings for both comfort and control is sag, which is the amount your suspension compresses under its own weight and then under your weight in full riding gear. It can be measured by taking the distance between the rear axle and a fixed point on the bodywork, first with the wheel unloaded, then again with you sitting on the bike in your normal riding position. If the difference is too small or too great, the bike may feel harsh, vague or unpredictable. Most of the time, rider sag can be corrected by adjusting the preload on the rear shock, which changes how much tension is on the spring. Getting it close to right will improve both comfort and confidence, and it’s one of the most effective setup tweaks you can do yourself or with the help of a suspension workshop. REBOUND AND COMPRESSION: Many forks and shocks also have compression and rebound adjusters, but unless you’re confident with what each setting does, it’s best to make one change at a time and test as you go – or have a suspension specialist set it up for you.

Q: Reposition your mirrors

MIRRORS: If you’re having to shift your head or torso just to see what’s behind you, or if your mirrors are full of forearms and elbows, your mirrors need adjusting. Many factory-fitted mirrors prioritise style or aerodynamics over real-world visibility, and even a slight change in angle or mirror arm position can make a big difference. Make sure you can see clearly past your shoulders with just a glance, and if adjustment alone doesn’t cut it, there are aftermarket options to suit just about every bike, from bar-end mirrors that sit lower and wider, to convex lenses that expand your field of view. The goal is a clear rear view that helps you stay aware and informed.

Question 1

Start with your contact points

Accepted Answer

Your hands, backside and feet are your points of contact with your motorcycle, so if any of them feel awkward or uncomfortable, it’s worth taking a closer look.

HANDLEBARS: Handlebars can usually be rotated in the clamps to bring them closer or further away. Moving them slightly can improve posture and reduce strain on your wrists or shoulders, especially if you’ve got long arms or short ones. It’s a good idea to mark your starting point before you loosen your clamps, and always check that your cables and hoses have enough free play to accommodate the new handlebar position before you tighten everything off. With the ’bars loose, turn them slowly from lock to lock and make sure nothing is pulling, stretching or interfering.

LEVERS: Any change to the ’bar position will naturally result in a changed lever angle, too. As a guide, your brake and clutch levers should follow the angle of your forearms when you're seated in your natural riding position, so you can reach them quickly and confidently. And check whether your levers are span-adjustable. Many bikes have a dial that lets you bring the lever closer to or further from the ’bar to suit your hand size.

REARSETS: On some bikes, particularly sport and track-oriented models, you’ll also find the option of adjustable rearsets. These allow you to reposition the footpegs up, down, forward or back to better suit your leg length and riding posture. The right setup can reduce knee strain on longer rides, improve body positioning in corners, and give you a more stable base when braking or shifting your weight.

Question 2

Seat and screen adjustments

Accepted Answer

SEAT HEIGHT: If your bike has an adjustable seat height, experiment with the different settings to find one that suits your height and riding style. A higher seat can improve legroom and control for taller riders, while a lower seat helps shorter riders get both feet down at a stop. Remember though, while it’s important to feel confident performing slow-moving manoeuvres and when you’re stopped, it’s equally important to be comfortable and have the optimal range of movement when you’re riding. So make clever compromises where necessary. If your seat height isn’t adjustable and doesn’t quite suit you, many manufacturers offer genuine options to both lower or increase the height of your seat, and there are aftermarket options and inserts available, too.

WINDSCREEN: Similarly, if your bike has a windscreen, try adjusting the angle or height to reduce buffeting. Even a few millimetres can redirect wind away from your helmet or chest and make highway riding far more comfortable. Getting the airflow right can also reduce wind noise and long-ride fatigue, helping you stay more focused and relaxed. If your screen doesn’t adjust, aftermarket options are an affordable way to customise airflow.

Question 3

Suspension matters too

Accepted Answer

RIDER SAG: Your suspension plays a big role in both comfort and confidence, especially if your bike feels harsh over bumps or wallows through corners. And while we won’t go into the nitty gritty of suspension tuning here, one of the most important settings for both comfort and control is sag, which is the amount your suspension compresses under its own weight and then under your weight in full riding gear. It can be measured by taking the distance between the rear axle and a fixed point on the bodywork, first with the wheel unloaded, then again with you sitting on the bike in your normal riding position. If the difference is too small or too great, the bike may feel harsh, vague or unpredictable. Most of the time, rider sag can be corrected by adjusting the preload on the rear shock, which changes how much tension is on the spring. Getting it close to right will improve both comfort and confidence, and it’s one of the most effective setup tweaks you can do yourself or with the help of a suspension workshop.

REBOUND AND COMPRESSION: Many forks and shocks also have compression and rebound adjusters, but unless you’re confident with what each setting does, it’s best to make one change at a time and test as you go – or have a suspension specialist set it up for you.

Question 4

Reposition your mirrors

Accepted Answer

MIRRORS: If you’re having to shift your head or torso just to see what’s behind you, or if your mirrors are full of forearms and elbows, your mirrors need adjusting. Many factory-fitted mirrors prioritise style or aerodynamics over real-world visibility, and even a slight change in angle or mirror arm position can make a big difference. Make sure you can see clearly past your shoulders with just a glance, and if adjustment alone doesn’t cut it, there are aftermarket options to suit just about every bike, from bar-end mirrors that sit lower and wider, to convex lenses that expand your field of view. The goal is a clear rear view that helps you stay aware and informed.

Top bike setup tips for comfort and control

Start with your contact points

Seat and screen adjustments

Suspension matters too

Reposition your mirrors

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