For a smooth ride

FITNESS

Caring for your spine is vital to enjoy the experience of riding a motorcycle.

There is no need to emphasise the number of motorcycle users in India. But in spite of this mass, there is precious little knowledge about the various stress injuries that can be caused by riding long hours. We are a country that is just waking up to the bonuses of wearing a helmet "" the very basic unit of motorcycle safety.

The spine is the part of the body that takes the biggest toll when riding a motorcycle. Correct riding posture is vital in preventing long-term injuries. It is not enough if you feel you are riding in an upright position.

The best guide to riding posture is the result of extensive research by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation of America. It used anthropometry, the study of body geometry, to arrive at the three fundamental riding positions "" standard, sport and cruiser.

In the standard posture the rider sits roughly upright, in a neutral position, neither leaning forward nor rearward, knees lower than the hips, and feet roughly below the rider's centre of gravity. It is the posture that applies best to the bikes that are used for everyday commute.

Using the above description as a guide, you must take care to choose a bike that offers the best seating position with respect to your body. Since most bikes come with adjustable rear suspension, get your mechanic to set it best for your daily use.

There is a trick that you can borrow from motocross riders. If the footpegs on your bike are strong enough, stand up on them when you suddenly encounter a massive bump or pothole. Thus in addition to your shock absorbers, you can use your elbows and knees as fulcrums to smother the impact.

When choosing a helmet, try to go for one that has the least weight. They can be expensive but significantly reduce the strain on your neck and help maintain riding posture better.

Motorcycle touring is a popular passion. For those long hours on the road it is worth investing in a special lower back support for bikers, that also has padding to protect the kidneys. There are also spine protectors available that can possibly prevent injury in a fall.