Tips for Buying a Motorcycle by Ground Clearance

Ground clearance fundamentally impacts the performance and rideability of your chosen motorcycle. This critical, often overlooked aspect, ground clearance is the distance from the road surface to the lowest part of your motorcycle, excluding its tires. This consideration impacts crucial factors such as navigating over speed bumps, traversing rough terrains, and tilting during turns. Let’s explore this together!

Impact of Ground Clearance on Motorcycle Performance

Motorcycles with high ground clearance allow steeper leaning angles and greater range in off-road ventures. However, they can feel top-heavy and challenging to maneuver for beginners. Conversely, low ground clearance offers stability and a lower center of gravity for easier handling but may compromise your ride's ability to tackle off-road trails or road imperfections.

Choosing Your Sweet Spot

While high-performance motorcycles prioritize more ground clearance for agile movement and steep leans, cruisers and touring bikes typically have less space underneath for a more relaxed ride. The appropriate ground clearance for your requirement depends on multiple factors: riding style, terrain preference—smooth highways or uneven landscapes, and your comfort with the bike's height.

We hope you find this guide helpful when buying a motorcycle by ground clearance. If you need more information or want to explore a few models in person before finalizing your decision, contact Rommel Harley-Davidson® Smyrna. We are in Smyrna, DE, and proudly serve those from Dover and Middletown!