What is a Motorcycle Rake?

Last night, my younger brother discovered complicated words like motorcycle rake angle and asked me what a motorcycle rake is? I amaze to see the curocity of younger generation, thus I decided to dedicate this article to the younger ones.

A motorcycle rake is the steering angle of the axis to the vertical axis or imaginary of a straight vertical line and the rake varies with motorbike types and models. For example, sports motorbikes have much less rake, making motorbikes a bit uncomfortable. 

Let’s look at what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know what motorcycle rake is in the most straightforward words. 

What is a Motorcycle Rake? 

While buying a motorbike, you must hear the word “rake.” But have you wondered what a motorcycle rake is?  A motorcycle rake is an angle between your motorbike steering or handlebar and an imaginary vertical line. 

The rake angle in sports motorbikes is much lesser than in cruise motorcycles like Harley which makes the sports motorbike a bit uncomfortable, and because of comfortability issues, you must know your motorcycle rake angle. 

Relations Between Motorcycle Rake & Comfortability? 

So far, you understand what a motorcycle rake is. But have you wondered why some experts advised you to know about motorcycle rakes? 

According to industry experts, the lesser the motorcycle rake, the less the motorbike will be comfortable for you to ride. For example, sports motorbikes have less rake; thus, it’s uncomfortable for you to ride. While motorbikes like cruise one have more rake angle. 

If you’re suffering from neck and lower back pain, you should always go with more rake-angle motorbikes.

What Type of Motorcycle can Cause Back Pain?

Types of Motorbikes:	Advantage:	Disadvantage:
Standard Motorbikes.	Don’t cause any back pain while riding.	You may not look good when riding a standard motorbike.
Sport Motorbikes.	You’ll look cool when riding a sports motorcycle.	Sport motorcycles aren’t good for long rides and will cause back pain.
Cruiser Motorbikes.	Cruiser motorcycles offer you great comfortability.	Many riders feel chest pressure making them lean forward.

Many riders are still sitting on the fence wondering why doctor recommendations and motorbike modifications aren’t working. Sometimes it might be because you choose the wrong motorbike for you. 

Motorbike? How can even motorbike types cause back pain? Let’s look at what it means for you and what you can do about it. 

Standard Motorcycle: 

Standard motorcycles, including touring and dual-sport, are probably the best motorbikes for you. While riding a standard motorcycle, your shoulders and legs are in a neutral position, thus preventing you from any back pain. 

Standard motorcycles are also suitable for long riding if all factors mentioned above are in your favor. Overall, you can rely on the standard motorbike for the day to day riding.

Sport Motorcycle: 

Sport motorcycles are most famous for their speed and image portrait by Hollywood. We all know how cool it is when you ride a sportbike but is the sport motorbike actually good for your health? 

No, sports motorcycles aren’t good for your health. The sports motorcycle causes your body to lean forward, which might cause back pain, also, you’ve to face wrist pressure due to the poor handlebar position of the sports motorcycle. 

And that’s why experts don’t recommend sports motorcycles for long rides. 

Cruise Motorcycle: 

Cruise motorbikes are the second-best option after standard motorbikes because of the comfortability (depending on the handlebar position) it offers. 

The seat and footpeg position of cruise motorbikes are also pretty good and offer you a neutral position. However, at higher speeds, many riders feel the tension in their chest and making them lean forward.

Overall, some motorbikes have a considerable fan base, but they aren’t good for your health. And it sucks when you can’t even ride your favorite motorbike because of back pain. 

I recommend only buying a motorbike according to your needs, and please avoid jumping on the bandwagon blindly. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether your motorbike can cause back pain or not, CLICK HERE to read.

Why Do Sports Motorcycles Have Less Rake?  

So far, you understand that you should stay away from rake motorbikes if you’re suffering from back and neck pain. But have you wondered why sports motorbikes have less rakes? 

According to some industry experts, manufacturers make sports motorbikes with less rakes to create the aerodynamic position. This aerodynamic position helps the rider catch the high speed within a short period. Also, less rake design prevents the riders from extra pressure on their chest and shoulder but for only short time. 

And that’s why you will find sports motorbikes with less rake angle. 

Why Do Cruise Motorcycles Have More Rake?  

So far, you understand what motorcycle rake is and why sports motorbikes have less rakes. But have you ever wondered why cruise motorcycles have more rakes? 

The manufacturer made cruise motorcycles for riders who prefer comfortability over speed. And that’s why you can find cruise motorcycles with less seat height and more rake for providing you comfort while riding. Thus experts always recommend you to ride cruise motorbikes if you have shoulder and back pain. 

The best thing about motorcycle rakes is that you can adjust the rake angle according to your needs.

Warning: Adjusting the motorcycle rake could hamper your handling ability.  

How Does Motorcycle Rake Affect Handling?  

So far, you understand why cruise motorbikes are comfortable to ride. Now the question arises, how does motorcycle rake affect handling. 

Motorcycle rakes affect motorbike handling to a much greater extent; for example, the greater the rake, the more effort you’ll have to put in to turn your motorcycle. Also, the motorbike with a greater rake is much more stable at high speed and on straight roads than motorcycles with less rake. 

Although handling effort is a subjective topic, you’ll find it more comfortable riding a more rake motorbike than more miniature rake angle motorbikes. 

What Should be the Good Motorcycle Rake?  

So far, you learned how rakes affect handling stability. Still, now the question arises, what should be a good motorcycle rake? 

According to industry experts, the excellent motorcycle rake should be anywhere between 3.6-6. However, like some Harleys, motorbikes come with a rake angle of 6.2, making it a bit harder for beginners to take turns. 

You can, however, modify the rake angle to some extent, but only if it doesn’t interface with motorbike stability and handling ability. 

Can You Modify Your Motorbike Rake? 

Not everyone on this earth is happy with their motorbike rake angle, and that’s why the main question arises, can you modify your motorbike rake? 

Suppose you’re unhappy with your motorbike rake. In that case, you can modify or alter your motorbike rake. Still, it may change the handling and comfortability of your motorbike. And that’s why it’s always recommended to change or modify rake angle with only expert supervision. 

The best, you can hire a technician for changing or modifying motorbike rakes. 

What’s the Difference Between Motorbike Rake and Trail? 

I’m pretty sure that you must listen to another complicated word like a trail. Have you wondered what the difference between motorbike rake and trail is? 

Trail refers to the distance between the imagery line and the contact point where your tire touches the ground. 

But a motorcycle rake is the steering angle of the axis to the vertical axis or image of a straight vertical line. The rake varies with motorbike types and models.

Motorbike rake and trail both matter most when it’s about your comfortability issues and the best thing is that you can change or alter both motorcycle rake and trail. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict:

What is a motorcycle rake? A motorcycle rake is the steering angle of the axis to the vertical axis or image of a straight vertical line. The rake varies with motorbike types and models. 

For example, sports motorbikes have much less rake, making motorbikes a bit uncomfortable. 

While trail refers to the distance between the imagery line and the contact point where your tire touches the ground.