Law of Averages

[PaulG]

Came across this article from the Toronto Star.  When I first got into motorcycling years ago, I often wondered why people spent buckets of money modding theirs.  Outside of maybe a more comfy seat and different bars I didn't see the need to do anything.

The main reason for that would be I didn't know any better, and usually couldn't afford it.  Motorcycles I would think are designed with averages in mind more than just about any other motorized vehicle.  This article (which is actually a book excerpt) has nothing to do with motorcycles per we, but with fundamental design concepts and misconceptions.  It helps explain how some sensible designs can completely miss the mark and fade into obscurity.

Also personalization is not just for aestechics. Designing for averages is a recipe for failure since the "average" doesn't exist, as this article reveals.  It's a wonder the motorcycle industry has survived the last 120 yrs.  Could it be the sheer joy it brings us far outweighs any discomfort, or even danger associated with it?

Anyway, hope you find it as informative as I did.


http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2016/01/16/when-us-air-force-discovered-the-flaw-of-averages.html

[Arnie]

Thanks for that.  Very interesting.

Now, how should we proceed to get bike manufacturers to allow some adjustment to their bikes?
There are a few bikes with either adjustable seat heights or even exchangable (at extra cost) seats, but most road bikes have no adjustablilty of bar height, pullback, sweep, width, or even rotational location of the controls, they use cast bars (like our FJs) that are not easily modified.  And footpeg location is rarely adjustable.
As with the pilots studied in this article, don't we also have to make split-second life and death decisions?  Doesn't the misfit of our "average" cockpit and controls contribute to delays and potential injury?

While its not beyond belief that both Rossi (6 foot tall) and Pedrosa (5 foot two maybe) could ride the same motorcycle, can you imagine either of them performing to their ultimate capabilities with all the controls pinned in a single setup?