Seat Height and cornering

[misterprofessionality]

Simple question: Would adding a taller seat promote smoother cornering?

raising my center of gravity makes it so i can make my curves with less lean angle, but lowering it makes it so that i can turn in faster...which way to go?

[emptysea]

I raised my seat height and noticed a very slight improvement in cornering. However, I'm so sloppy through the turns that I may not be your best source for useful feedback on this.

I went with the taller seat to make things more comfortable on longer rides. I've been happy with that decision.

[misterprofessionality]

alongside my suspension upgrades, there's going to be some subtle ergo changes so I just want to consider all the affects. my seat coming up a bit is more of a side effect of a more comfortable seat option than an intentional change. I have the option to get a pretty comfortable seat that doesn't increase the height though, so i'm keeping an open mind until i can nail down all the facts. as part o the new ergos my bars are going to come down a bit, so the increased tuck may compensate for the higher seat and render the whole discussion moot.

[Roper_imp]

If your concern is about cornering, then I would suggest seat shape is more important than height. Can you move around enough to really affect cornering? Not that you're going to hang off enough to drag a knee. But get a seat which is supportive in back for long rides but slim enough in front so you can shift side-to-side without upsetting your line--and yes, we're talking about motorcycle saddles, not...ummm...nevermind.

[misterprofessionality]

Thats a good point. The taller seat is also wider and fatter in front, while the lower seat has rounded off and narrower

[GoldOxide_imp]

Simple question: Would adding a taller seat promote smoother cornering?

raising my center of gravity makes it so i can make my curves with less lean angle, but lowering it makes it so that i can turn in faster...which way to go?

The question is pretty interesting. I have wondered my self, but there can be other variables that come into play too - as some members have already suggested.

However, keeping the opinion simple: In my case the high altitude of the Africa Twin compared to the CB1100 has made my turning significantly more pleasurable - at any speed. But my opinion is tainted by the fact that I was eventually uncomfortable on the CB.

[alprider]

i guess here is the problem to know how to drive a bike for pretty cornering......

ask the track-pilot....or simple what he make still with his outer knee, wehre is it basical ..look not only still only the actionfull inner.....what is the position/moves of the arms + upper body...all this should make the normal pilot too on the public-streets just not in that extreme form

well clear the ergo of a africa-twin is some other but....

[mjwasti_imp]

Ergonomics are important because the more comfortable you are, the more you relax when you ride. In my experience the single most effective way to improve cornering is to practice countersteering technique. I spent time reading Lee Parks’ book Total Control and watched several youtube videos by MotoJitsu, which I thoroughly recommend. Great riding technique and safety advice.