Crossed up!

[CrazyKell]

Ugh. So I just got my pics back from this weekend. I knew it but I now have photographic evidence.

I am so freakin' crossed up it's not even funny. I can start to get my ass off the seat and my leg out....but it's like my arms and upper body will not move!

Anyone else have to get past this? Any tips?

[HokieDNA01]

Kiss the mirror. That is what they have told me. I now work on shifting my upper body first and let my lower body follow.

[shmike]

For most it is a natural reaction. They feel comfortable "on" the bike and don't want to stray too far.

So many people talk about "getting your ass off the seat" or "dragging a knee" that most noobs think that is all there is to body position.

The kiss the mirrors is a good example. Another I have used is to pretend that there is a vertical board where your upper fairing is, force yourself to look around it.

If you lead with your upper body, your hips will follow.

[Trip]

This is one aspect where it just takes comfort in getting use to it. I don't mean like physical comfort, but in riding comfort where you feel like you aren't falling off the bike or having to slow to adjust to the new position. The best advice is to try to get further towards the mirror, but don't lose a comfortable position that allows you to ride the best. Racers are the only ones that really need to hang off like a damned monkey, you just need to find where your upper body is relaxed and you feel you can push the bike the best, if you feel you can ride a good pace and you are working on getting your body off more, that's all you need to do. Don't sacrifice the comfort level of your riding in trying to look the part.

[CasterTroy]

There's been great advice in this thread...I learned a few things too


But the best thing said IMHO is

Originally Posted by Trip

Don't sacrifice the comfort level of your riding in trying to look the part.

I use to hang off like a friggin monkey thinking I needed too, then I went up to shady valley and rode with Clay for a weekend, and learned a thing or 12.

After a few track days and being told comfort level was the key to getting faster, THEN work on body form as the speed increases, I was able to feel better about the form I had.

What does it matter if you LOOK the part, yet are getting passed by old farts on dual sports sitting straight up?

[CrazyKell]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

There's been great advice in this thread...I learned a few things too


But the best thing said IMHO is




I use to hang off like a friggin monkey thinking I needed too, then I went up to shady valley and rode with Clay for a weekend, and learned a thing or 12.

After a few track days and being told comfort level was the key to getting faster, THEN work on body form as the speed increases, I was able to feel better about the form I had.

What does it matter if you LOOK the part, yet are getting passed by old farts on dual sports sitting straight up?

I totally understand what you're saying. I'm not the type to just "look the part" and in fact have had more than my fair share of giggles at people who do this. I've never been one to throw my knee out for the sake of it and only move around a bit when I feel like it or feel it would help. Really there is almost no need for *most* of my riding (on the street at least).

I think it's a comfort level that will come for me.

I'm working on the smooth first - fast later school of track day riding. I am very smooth and have trained myself to focus on the little things, slowly adding them together. Body positioning is the next logical step for me.

Unfortunately track days are also done for me until April (unless I can swing a trip to Jennings in January).

GREAT advice in this thread! Thanks everyone!

[z06boy]

Great thread...thanks for all of the ideas.

[CrazyKell]

I was told to try and check my makeup in the mirror.

Guess I don't wear enough makeup.

I'm going to try leading with my upper body though. I think that would help!

[was92v]

I'm no expert, but hanging off with your spine in a straight line parallel to the bike is great form and it also allows you to achieve a neutral balanced feel with your outside arm resting on the tank and/or your thigh. It also means you have a lot less leverage to move the bike in a hurry, especially it you are on a heavy bike that requires some force. Or if you are riding something with an explosive power band that may require some immediate correction in multiple directions at once to stay off the ground. But I guess most bikes don't behave that way anymore. When it feels serene, it is right for you, regardless of how it looks in a picture and when you are comfortable with the ride, you will go faster without seeming to.

[Homeslice]

Drop the inside elbow and shoulder. Graze the tank with your chest. Look into the turn. Use the other arm to brace against the tank.

Put your bike on a rearstand and practice shifting from side to side.