This paper attempts to draw the attention of manufacturers to the fact that motorcycle riding is based on certain natural laws which, unfortunately, with increasing specialization (e.g. the craze for chopper bikes) have been increasingly ignored. This has led to a lob-sided range of products on the market: increasingly extreme fun-bikes, ranging from high- quality racing bike replicas to ultra-thoroughbred sports enduro bikes, which appear to have displaced standard bikes for the day-to-day rider. The first-time bike rider, and everybody faces a first time, has to somehow find an interim solution before he is able to ride alongside the experts. At the moment, this means that his options are largely limited to the used-bike market. The 'sitting position' is a parameter of great importance with regard not only to the satisfaction and happiness of a bike owner but also to safety and well-being on longer journeys. Relatively minor features, such as the ability to adjust the handlebar grip-to-lever spacing, footrests and gear-shifters, and also to adjust the seat height as well as a choice of various types of handlebars would, at an acceptable cost, improve (still further) the quality of the product offered to the customer - an objective which all manufacturers should be striving for.
Samenvatting