|
By Zaihan Mohd Yusof
It's a beautiful concept.
Buy a Harley and get it tailored to suit your body and riding posture before you ride it out of the showroom.
Harley Davidson Singapore claims that if the motorbike "fits", it will instil more confidence in riders.
Safety-wise, you'll have better reach of the controls, pedals and tarmac when your bike comes to a stop.
If only other bike distributors share Harley Davidson's vision, there would be no need to make those pricey after-market modifications.
Indeed, most riders make alterations to their machines only after making their purchases, but changes made by untrained mechanics or do-it-yourself projects often come with pitfalls.
And DIY customisations could void your bike's warranty or insurance coverage.
What's important is Harley's "Fitment Process", which is a free service (and you get a 25 per cent discount on accessories), comes with sound advice from its qualified mechanics.
And they're riders too.
Harley spokesman Daman Choy explains: "Following our three criteria of fit, function and style, we advise riders on what works and what's against the law.
"You're not going to get a comfortable ride if your (handle)bars are too high or too wide for your body frame."
These minor changes to the Harleys by the local dealership are all covered in every machine's two-year warranty.
At Harley's Fit Shop, where a motorcycle is clamped to the floor, there's no guesswork.
You get to try different set-ups. You can try low or high (within the limits set by Land Transport Authority) handlebars, you can also try various seat heights and foot controls with a variety of comfort levels.
When your bike fits like a hand in glove, you know it's ready to roll.
FIT TO TRAVEL
Fit, function and style - these are the areas that staff at Harley Davidson Singapore focus on when tailoring your perfect ride.
Handlebars: There are more than six choices. There are bars which allow easier reach for riders with shorter arms and mini ape hangers, which offer more comfort with their raised perch.
Seats: There are four seat choices for the Fatboy model and different models have different seat sizes.
Shorter riders should go for narrower seats that help "push" the their bodies forward for easier control.
Riders who spend more time touring will find seats with thicker foam and added back support more comfortable.
Suspension: Floormats of different thickness simulate a reduction in the motorcycle's suspension height to about 2.5cm.
Nevertheless, there are limits. Too low and the reduced ground clearance will cause the bike to scrape every speed bump you go over.
Forward and mid-controls: Some Harley bikes come with standard mid-controls or foot pedal positioned near the middle of the bike. Taller riders who want to stretch out their legs can opt for forward controls.
This article was first published in The New Paper.
 
| 
