The handlebar, handlebar post, steps, and seat—these three to four parts are the only ones I think you can adjust for positioning.
At first, I think it’s good to experiment without spending too much money, trying things out in a makeshift way.
This is just my opinion, but the seat being last gives you the most flexibility, don’t you think?
First, try riding in your current position and you’ll feel the good parts and the bad parts.
You want to enhance the good parts and reduce the bad parts— that’s just how it goes.
A motorcycle frame comes in one size; you can’t choose.
Tall riders find it small, short riders find it big, and it varies.
Since rider preference is involved, refining it into something better will give you an attachment like no other.
With a bar handlebar, you can drop it or raise it to slightly change the feel. This is effective because you can adjust it without spending money.
*Just watch out for hitting the tank.
If you imagine the handlebar being a bit higher or lower, closer or further, or with more or less grip—thinking “I wish it were like this”—you can picture your ideal setup.
Steps. This is pretty tricky.
If they’re adjustable, that’s great, but when aftermarket parts are your only option… the choices get pretty questionable.
Raising the steps and moving them back compared to stock is what some call a back step. Others prefer lowering them and moving them forward—that’s common too.
Are your knees bending too much? Can you only ride on your tiptoes? The outcome depends on what you’re using the bike for.
The seat. The most flexible part.
It’s great that it’s not metal. You can make the foam harder or softer, and adjust the height up or down.
After you’ve decided on the handlebar and steps, you often think “If only the seat were a bit higher or lower, the steps would be easier.”
That’s why I often suggest doing the seat last.
But what if the seat is too low or has a weird shape?
Just glue some foam on and try riding it. Since you can peel it off, it’s a really effective method.
Straddling the bike and actually riding it feel completely different.
Ideally you’d ride a bit of distance, but even one lap around the neighborhood lets you feel the change, and the testing is so fun you won’t want to stop.
In the end, your perfect setup is something only you can create and decide on—that’s just how the world works.
It runs deep, maybe.
