When riding over an obstacle, what is usually best to do?

When riding over an obstacle, rising slightly off the seat is beneficial because it helps to absorb the impact through your legs rather than your body. By standing slightly above the seat, you allow your knees and elbows to flex, which provides better shock absorption and stability as your motorcycle passes over the obstacle. This technique helps maintain control of the bike, as it minimizes the jarring effect felt throughout the body.

Keeping both feet on the footpegs ensures that you maintain proper control; however, it does not allow for the necessary body mechanics to absorb the impact efficiently. Braking hard before impact could throw you off balance or cause you to lose control as you hit the obstacle, which is not advisable. Shifting weight back is sometimes necessary in specific situations, such as when going over steep hills or obstacles, but simply rising off the seat is generally the best practice for balancing the bike and managing the impact under most circumstances.