Proper setup of controls, footpegs, handlebars, components and anywhere the rider’s body contacts the motorcycle is important for safe, enjoyable adventure riding. (Photo by Greg Drevenstedt)
Editor?s Note: The EarthRider blog series focuses on adventure/off-road riding skills. If you haven?t read it already, check out our previous installment, EarthRider03: Control Lever Setup for Adventure Riding.
My previous EarthRider column provided tips for control lever setup for adventure riding. This installment covers a grab bag of other setup issues.
Free Play

Some suggest that a certain amount of free play in brake/clutch lever and throttle movement is a good thing because it allows the motorcycle to bounce around a bit without you unintentionally actuating the controls. Take the following as food for thought rather than gospel: I suggest adjusting your controls to allow minimal free play. There is always a bigger bump coming, so at some point you will have to rely on your own ability to let the bike move relative to your body without moving the control levers or throttle. If you minimize play in the controls, you force yourself to become more sensitive to the bike?s movements. That sensitivity will lead to an earlier awareness of what the bike is doing. Having more time to react to what that big bike is doing can help you keep the metal bits off the ground. Read EarthRider01: Meet Laine MacTague
Minimizing free play in the throttle and clutch and brake levers forces you ...