Has it been awhile since you sat astride your bike and twisted the throttle? Then your body may not quite be ready to endure hours of riding without a lot of pain and fatigue afterwards. Fortunately, you can take steps to fix this and get yourself in better shape to reduce pain, curb fatigue and make it easier to ride as long as you like.
As one of the premier Indian Motorcycle® dealers in southern California, Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County has the tips you need to strengthen your muscles and improve your endurance for riding.
Why Bother Getting in Shape?
“But my motorcycle is my form of transportation,” you might say. “Why do I need to be in good shape to ride it?” Well, your physical stamina ends up predicting how good a ride feels and how good you feel afterwards. A rider that isn’t in good shape may need to take more frequent breaks or cut their rides short, and they may find themselves icing their muscles the next day. What’s worse, you might not be able to ride for several days if you’ve strained your muscles too much.
Riding a motorcycle takes a surprising amount of core strength compared to driving a car, which is much more passive. You have to engage your core muscles to maintain your balance, use your arms to keep yourself upright on the handlebars, and hug the bike with your thighs when cornering. That’s a lot of muscle groups activated!
Strength Training Tips
So with all that being said, you’ll want to perform some targeted workouts to focus on those muscles. Each group of muscles needs a different type of exercise to really activate and strengthen it.
Legs
To strengthen your quads and hamstrings, perform sets of leg presses, squats and lunges. It’s not a bad idea to get some walking in, too.
Core
Your abdominal muscles make up your core and you’ll find yourself tightening them as you ride. Perform sit-ups on an exercise ball, then do some planks and Russian twists to work all those muscles.
Upper Body
Your shoulders and your upper back are at the most risk of being strained, so you need to engage these by doing pull-ups, tricep press-downs, Supermans and bicep curls.
Improving Flexibility
You might not think you need much flexibility to ride, but your screaming muscles will tell a different story if you don’t stretch them regularly! Maintaining your posture, reaching your bike’s controls and cornering will all test your muscles. Use a foam roller to help target your legs and back and perform seated and standing stretches to help limber up before a ride.
Seeking motorcycles for sale in southern California? Stop by our Westminster, CA, dealership location to check out our fine selection of new and used motorcycles for sale, including the latest Indian Motorcycle® models. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County proudly serves all our SoCal customers coming from greater Los Angeles and Orange County.
FAQs
A strong core is crucial for motorcycle riding; it supports you through every move you make on the bike. Crunches and sit-ups are an easy way to build core strength. Try many different variations, including bicycle crunches, exercise ball sit-ups, oblique crunches, and toe-touch sit-ups.
How to get in shape to ride a motorcycle? ›
A strong core is crucial for motorcycle riding; it supports you through every move you make on the bike. Crunches and sit-ups are an easy way to build core strength. Try many different variations, including bicycle crunches, exercise ball sit-ups, oblique crunches, and toe-touch sit-ups.
Does riding a motorcycle count as exercise? ›
When most people think of motorcycle riding the first thing that comes to mind may not be “physical fitness”. It definitely isn't exercise bike either. Riding a motorcycle is anything but lethargic. It takes physical exertion.
Do you need a strong core to ride a motorcycle? ›
The point is, having a strong lower core will help hold you upright on the bike especially if you're doing long stints on the saddle.
What is the hardest part of learning to ride a motorcycle? ›
Learning the Clutch & Throttle
Many of our students riding a motorcycle for the first time find it hard to perfect use of the clutch and throttle; especially when taking off from a stop or during slow speed maneuvering.
Does riding a motorcycle burn belly fat? ›
Build Your Abdominal Muscles
Not only will your legs get stronger, but you can also strengthen your abdomen because of how much you'll rely on your core muscles to operate your bike. This can allow you to burn a lot of belly fat and even become more toned.
What is the best body position for riding a motorcycle? ›
Lean your upper body forward so your shoulder are in front of your hips. Your stomach rests on the tank, allowing you to bend your elbows and relax your arms. Your feet rest on the footpegs and are positioned behind your knees.
How many miles should I ride my motorcycle a day? ›
On a comfortable motorcycle with a large gas tank, a determined enough rider can ride up to 1,000 miles in a 24-hour span—this is commonly referred to as an Iron Butt. However, it's more realistic for the average rider to travel between 200 and 400 miles in a day.
Does riding a motorcycle increase testosterone? ›
Sense of mastery: Riding a motorcycle can provide a sense of mastery and control, which may also be associated with higher levels of testosterone.
What does riding a motorcycle do to your body? ›
Riding a motorcycle is a full-body workout, forcing you to exercise your core, neck, back, and shoulders just to maintain the proper riding posture. Leg and arm muscles are engaged every time you steer or course-correct.
Cycling torches calories
That means riding a bike can help create a calorie deficit needed to lose fat, which can help reveal your abs over time.
Can a weak person ride a motorcycle? ›
We have even seen physically disabled people go out for a ride as motorcycles don't require a lot of effort from the body. However, it is highly advisable to seek safety before fun. Consult a doctor if you have any problems physically or mentally.
Can you fit ABS to a motorcycle? ›
Installing ABS on Motorcycles
If you are already the proud owner of a bike, but it does not have anti-lock brakes, you can have them installed. Depending on your motorcycle and the location you live, the cost can be a bit high—and varies a lot with different models of bikes.
What is the best age to ride a motorcycle? ›
The right age for riding a motorcycle is 18 years old. If you are under 18 years old, avoid riding a motorcycle since you may not be able to reach the handles, footrests, or ground.
What is the easiest motorcycle to learn to ride on? ›
Top 10 best motorbikes for beginners
- Honda CBR500R. The cheat's bike. ...
- Harley Davidson Sportster. I learned to ride on the old Sportster 883 R, at Harley's Welsh centre where I did a week-long crash course. ...
- Kawasaki Ninja 650. ...
- BMW F900 R. ...
- Triumph Bonneville T100. ...
- Ducati Monster 797. ...
- Suzuki SV650. ...
- Yamaha MT-07.
We know plenty of motorcyclists who are tearing up the road at 40, 50, 60 or even older. In fact, the median age of a biker in the US is 50 and a whopping 39% of motorcycle owners are between the ages of 51 and 69. That's not to say that no matter your age you can hop on a bike and ride into the sunset, no problem.
Is it physically hard to ride a motorcycle? ›
Riding a motorcycle isn't as hard as most people think. It's on par with learning how to ride a bike, except you're using an engine instead of pedaling your feet to get where you're going. If you already know your way around a bike, you're already halfway there.
How do I get in shape to ride a bike? ›
It is generally recommended to alternate short, intense rides with long rides (2-3 hours) at a brisk pace and a good cadence (90 rpm, allowing you to talk while pedaling). An indoor bike trainer is a great tool to help you adapt your plan to different circ*mstances such as bad weather, family commitments or work.
Do you need to be fit to ride a motorcycle? ›
“Why do I need to be in good shape to ride it?” Well, your physical stamina ends up predicting how good a ride feels and how good you feel afterwards. A rider that isn't in good shape may need to take more frequent breaks or cut their rides short, and they may find themselves icing their muscles the next day.
Has it been awhile since you sat astride your bike and twisted the throttle? Then your body may not quite be ready to endure hours of riding without a lot of pain and fatigue afterwards. Fortunately, you can take steps to fix this and get yourself in better shape to reduce pain, curb fatigue and make it easier to ride as long as you like.