Spec charts sometimes quote rake and trail numbers for a motorcycle chassis, but what does this mean? Pega Custom Cycle is hear to help with your rake and trail issues. We are motorcycle experts with many years of experience and are happy to explain all these issues to you.

Rake (also called caster) is the angle of a motorcycle’s steering head of the frame (A). Choppers have a lot of rake—their forks stick way out in front. Sportbikes have much less—their forks are closer to vertical.

More rake does two things: one, it makes the wheelbase longer, and two, it generally increases a motorcycle’s trail.

Comparing the rake and trail numbers for different motorcycles may give you some idea of how they’re going to handle, even if you’ve never ridden them.