I was watching a show on TV last night about the history of motorcycles in the U.S.
They made an interesting observation concerning riding positions offered by different manufacturers.
The theory was this:
Initial and early design offerings from the various motorcycle companies offered riding positions that mimic/emulate the traditional horse saddle styles of the region.
In other words, Harley and Indian offered riding positions that reflected the western style of riding horses (
http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/wsaddle.html ), which is a feet forward, laid-back position. At the same time the European bikes (and ultimately Japan) offered riding positions that were a little more rider-forward feet-back, like the European/English style saddles (
http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/esaddle.html ).
I found this interesting because, I believe, my bike gives me the same sense of freedom and the feeling of being "one" with the environment that earlier cultures must have felt while commuting on horse back.
Unlike a cage, I am on my bike, not in my bike. I am not a witness to the world passing by. I am in the environment that I am passing through. I smell the fresh-cut grass. I feel the rain and the sun. I feel the cold and the heat, just like those that went before, and their horses.
-Moondog
Topic: Riding Position - Motorcycles and Horses (Read 2301 times)