body position

[redzedx7r]

Just picked this one off the net.
Pretty good advice, not directed at anyone in particular but might give an insight to those new to sportsbikes.

You've seen the extreme race shots of riders hanging off their machines like monkeys, but while it helps out cornering on the racetrack, it's not necessarily the optimum body position for street riding. A more centered riding stance may not look all that cool, but it will give you increased confidence and control in a variety of situations. For most cornering, you should be centered on the seat, and leaning with your bike so that your head is either on or just to the inside of the centerline. Tilting your head to match the horizon stops your brain from getting confused by mixed visual and balance signals. If your controls don't fit correctly, adjust them to match; never adjust your style to fit.


Keeping your inside elbow locked, and using the weight of your upper body on that arm to countersteer is a common lazy habit. This prevents you from making small steering corrections, and limits your control of the motorcycle; in addition, any bump in the road will unsettle your upper body, and that movement will transmit directly down your locked arm and into the bar-unintentionally steering your bike. It's important to remember that the handlebar is more for steering your machine rather than for holding onto it. Experiment with holding your body in position using your stomach muscles and pressing your outside knee against the tank, while keeping your elbows bent with as much weight off the bars as possible.


Using the centered riding stance puts your outside knee in the correct position and will help to distribute your weight properly. If your bike has low clip-ons, it will require substantial knee pressure to unweight them; try variations until you find something comfortable. With as little weight on your arms as possible, you'll find it much easier to make small steering corrections, and bumps will unsettle your bike less as your weight has a reduced effect on steering. Also, experiment with foot position to find what works for you; it's usually best to keep your toes on the footpegs, especially the inner foot to avoid dragging. If you like to use the rear brake (RSS, April '00), keep your foot as far back and tucked in as possible.


There are instances where some hanging off helps with maneuverability or traction. For instance, on wet or slippery surfaces, moving your body to the inside of the turn will allow you to keep your bike more upright to take maximum advantage of the available traction. And during quick countersteering swerves, when you're avoiding an obstacle on the road, keeping your body upright during the entire sequence lessens the amount of mass you have to throw from side-to-side, and lets you push against your bike using your own inertia. Body position has a significant effect on your bike's handling, and it's well worth trying different techniques to find something that gives you more confidence as well as comfortableness.

This article was originally published in the June 2000 issue of Sport Rider
http://www.sportrider.com/

Sean(all i want for xmas is my) zx7r

[mattyv74]

Pretty good advice, not directed at anyone in particular but might give an insight to those new to sportsbikes.

oops, I thought this was about your favourite postions. Silly me

[Duane]

I tend to sit how the bike wants me to sit, different bikes have different positions i spose. My speciality is feet on passenger foot rests, left hand resting on the tank (doubling as a chin rest), right hand on the go stick.


Anyways, all I have to say is that @ the black spur, I saw mario in the monkey position, and i'd have to say, it works well enough on the road too!

[corbywan]

mario in the monkey position

Say that fast 10 times!!!!

[Flakey]

Bored R1 rider...

[hammer]

I would think it depends on how much of a hurry you are in to get the first latte at the cafe mountain top

Stu

[tape]

For those of us that can remember the kids song something along the lines of... heads elbows knees and toes......

[Neka79]

yea,...i thought i was gunna learn sumthin too matty......
Neka
2000 CBR 929RR
1988 KDX200 thrasher
1996 VS SERIES 2 UTE
"dont hate me cos im sexy, hate me cos ur mrs thinks im sexy"




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[mike-s]

<just a bit ashamed>

Heads, shoulders, knee's and toes,
knee's and toes, knee's and toes.
Heads, shoulders, knee's and toes,
We all clap hands together!!!

[tape]

ahhhhh but I have excuse Mike.... I'm half bourbonised...rofl

[mike-s]

i'm sober, i'm also at work




Damn, i need a coffee.

[tape]

I work from home so I'm soberish some of the time...lol

[Nanna10r]

Thanks Sean n i must Say the LOON on the R1 does look pretty central. Wonder if you can buy Sliders for an R1 Ignition Barrel ?.
Cheers Brett

[mrmina]

good stuff, might print it out and have a read every now and then.

[mrmina]

Pretty good advice, not directed at anyone in particular but might give an insight to those new to sportsbikes.

oops, I thought this was about your favourite postions. Silly me

my thoughts exactly matty

guess the topics should be better labelled