Rider Lower

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If you're under 5-foot-3 and shopping for a bike, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how many bikes really do fit you. And chances are, one of those bikes is going to reach out and knock you over the head with its styling, its "cool factor," and its general overall suitability. But, just in case the bike that speaks to you the loudest doesn't fit you perfectly the way it sits on the salesroom floor, there are a few simple modifications ("mods") you can keep in mind that just might solve one of two key height-related problems.

Problem 1: You can't "flat-foot" the bike.

In order to have the most and best control over the bike at slow or no speed you should be able to sit in the saddle with the bike pulled upright off the kickstand, knees bent, your feet planted flat on the floor. If you're up on the balls of your feet, or worse, tip-toed, you won't have complete control when you roll up to a stop and put your foot down or when you're straddle-walking the bike backwards out of the garage or into a parking spot.

Solution: Lowering the bike.

You can physically lower the bike itself a couple of ways, but they both involve changing the suspension components - namely, the shock absorbers. On most bikes, the shocks are mounted to the frame and to the swingarm. You can purchase a special bracket that will allow you to loosen the mounting bolts, slide the shocks to slide the shock back an inch or so, bringing the frame-with-fender down a bit closer to the tire in the rear, which might be enough to get you flat-footed.

You could also replace the stock shock absorbers with shorter shocks, bringing things down even further. If you go this route, make sure you don't go so short that the tire is likely to rub on the underside of the fender when the shock is compressed (i.e., you hit a bump, or add a passenger or luggage.)

If that's still not enough, you can also purchase a kit that lowers the front of the bike by changing the springs inside the fork tubes. Again, make sure you aren't creating a situation where parts of the bike will rub together that weren't intended to do so. Alternate solutions: You might be able to flat-foot the bike just by changing out the seat. A bike with a wide seat will spread your legs farther apart before they head toward the ground. A narrow-profile seat might give you just enough extra room to get you flat-footed. And, if you're just up on the balls of your feet instead of tip-toe, it's possible you could get by just by purchasing boots with a taller heel and sole.

Problem 2: You can't comfortably reach the handlebars.

Obviously, being able to reach the handgrips is key to comfortably operating and controlling the bike. From a design stand-point, lots of bikes today have "drag bars" - drag-racing style handlebars that come out in a nearly-straight line from the triple tree, extending left and right but not coming back toward you. These bars can force the shorter rider to hunch forward and reach way out to the right and left, putting body weight on your wrists and causing a burning sensation between the shoulder blades after only a short ride. (Kind of like that old ten-speed you used to ride with the curled-under handlebars - which, not coincidentally, was also originally designed for aerodynamic racing.)

Solution: Different handlebars, or pullback risers.

Depending on how far you have to hunch forward, you can try a couple of things here. Pullback risers are little chromey bits you put in between the tree and the bars to bring the bars up and back toward you in inch-increments. Small risers can make a big difference, so ask your dealer to help you determine how much pull-back you need.

You can also try a different handlebar style altogether. Buckhorn bars (and their next-bigger cousin, mini ape-hangers) bring the hand grips back toward you, and put your hands at an angle on the handgrips so your body sits back a bit and your weight rests on your butt and lower back instead of your wrists. Full ape-hangers will likely raise your arms above shoulder-level, which looks "old-school cool" but might make the upper arms ache. Finally, beach bars form a wide curve back toward the rider - like using half a steering wheel from the city bus. These have a distinct look and bring the grips back toward you, with your hands in a straight position similar to the drag bars (but probably with better weight distribution). Of course, if choosing different bars you'll want to consider the design and look of your bike, too. Beach bars might look hot on a wide cruiser, but they'll likely look out of place on a narrower bike.

An important caveat here is that adding risers or changing the bars could also mean you'll need longer or shorter clutch control cables and/or brake lines to accommodate the adjusted distance.

Shorter riders needn't fear the bike-shopping experience. While it's true that making these modifications will change the final price of the bike, it's also true that making a bike fit you perfectly is actually part of the process - and part of the fun!

Janet Green is the editor and chief biker chick at Biker Chick News, a popular web destination for women who ride motorcycles.

For her complete ride journal, plus news and links of interest to women who ride, visit http://www.Bikerchicknews.com.

Cool Low Rider Bikes

Low Riders can be a car, truck or bike that has a modified suspension system. This makes it possible for a person to have a ride low, enough to the ground. It usually contains a user controlled height used for adjustable suspension. Some people opt for this because it has an internal part that takes any form of damage caused by the road surface's imperfections.

The low riders originated in East Lost Angeles. It started in the time of the Mexican-American phenomenon. Up to the present, the aficionados of low riders are mostly Latinos. The common feature of these mobiles is a small spoke wheels which are usually made of gold or chrome. These wheels may come with knockoffs or none. It may be with whitewall tires or none. Low riders also need to have exterior enhancements.

The modified suspension systems mostly are hydraulic. This is a custom suspension system found in such altered bikes. This can make the driver change the height of the ride any time he wants. These systems come from the simplest to the most complex ones. The hydraulic pumps of this system are measured so that the various hydraulic combinations can be controlled. The produced specific motions of the vehicle are also then controlled. The hydraulic pump are placed in the trunk's rack and powered by multiple batteries.

Low rider bikes are the type of bikes look more appealing than a car. They are very different from the ordinary bikes that we see or use especially with the shape. It has smaller tires compared to other bikes. It should have the exact fit of frame in every part of the bike because this will make the bike ride-able enough for its rider. It also has longer handle bars.

The best low rider bikes have chromed accessories. There are small wheels attached and combined with high handle bars. Chrome wing mirrors give a classier and more sophisticated look. Some are three wheeled to make possible a lower position.

No one could really trace for sure the origins of such bikes. No one knows who started the idea. The first low rider recognized, documented and put in the records was the Eddie Munster bike.

Such rides started to become popular in the 1960s. The known brand then was String-Ray. The Schwinn was also popular ‘til the 1970s. The BMX bikes were later on introduced and gradually penetrated the market. It was also around this time that the manufacturing of cantilever frames was discontinued. The bike fashion came back in the market only in 1988.

Men today sometimes still prefer these two-wheeled rides even with the surge of various models of automobiles. There is a different kind of high riding such bikes. In fact it is such a fashion statement among men sometimes that the prices of these low rides today could rival that of cars. Even the accessories can be expensive.

Most of these bikes are made to order. There are also readymade in the market but most enthusiasts prefer to dress up their own according to their personal tastes. Designing it on their own is part of the thrill and fulfillment. It is for some an art venue where he could pour out his creativity. He could also attach accessories that he deems necessary in accordance to where he will take his ride most of the time.

About the Author

For more information on Low Riders and Low Rider Cars.Please visit our website.

wear undies in low rider jeans or a long shirt?

I have seen 3 different girls unknowingly parade their butt cracks before the world. One girl was walking out of the post office. The other two were during lab classes where the girls (on different days) were sitting down and leaning forward. When you sit down in low-riders the wasteband bows out. Be careful. Unless you know the professor really well, you probably don't want him seeing your buttocks.

i do both. But i typically wear belts.

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