Leaning versus Knee Down

No Worries · 03-22-2009, 01:19 AM

I saw two examples of riding today. While riding some twisty roads, I saw a Harley tourer coming toward me that seemed like it was going too fast to make a turn. I slowed down expecting him to crash or run off the road. Then I saw something that was pretty rare. He leaned waaaayyyyy off the bike. And made the corner without scraping anything. He was barrel-chested, so he was putting a lot of weight to the inside of that curve. He had no helmet or leathers on, and was grinning from ear to ear as he accelerated by me. He must have had lessons.

While I was walking the dog this evening, a scooter rider came around a corner with his knee way out and almost hitting the ground. Except his scooter was weaving and scraping. I thought he had a flat tire. Then I looked up from his scooter and saw that his body was leaning the opposite way. His upper body was exactly perpendicular to the ground. Luckily for him there were no parked cars as he swung way out or he would have hit them. He needed lessons.

tached1000rr · 03-22-2009, 01:44 AM

interesting, the second scenario sounds like 50ccs of mayhem....

derf · 03-22-2009, 02:02 AM

I noticed a very similar thing today too. I went riding with my brother today, he has been "learning" from some folks he met at school. They have his upper body leaned way over while his ass doesn't move at all, he sort of bends over the top of his bike. Now I also know that my leaning position sucks, I slide my ass over to the side that I'm turning and my upper body only moves a few inches. Last time I did a track day the biggest piece of advice was to move my upper body over more (there were many more but I wont talk about them here).

My brothers body position (not actually him)

My body position (also not actually me)

shmike · 03-22-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I noticed a very similar thing today too. I went riding with my brother today, he has been "learning" from some folks he met at school. They have his upper body leaned way over while his ass doesn't move at all, he sort of bends over the top of his bike. Now I also know that my leaning position sucks, I slide my ass over to the side that I'm turning and my upper body only moves a few inches. Last time I did a track day the biggest piece of advice was to move my upper body over more (there were many more but I wont talk about them here).

My body position (also not actually me)

Mick Doohan is on of the exceptions.

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

Look at pics of Ben Spies. Except for his famous "Elbowz", he has near perfect body position.

derf · 03-22-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

Yamerhaw · 03-22-2009, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

but this pic is showing a rider with BOTH his lower and upper body off the bike, like shmike was saying

Quote:

Originally Posted by shmike

Mick Doohan is on of the exceptions.

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

Look at pics of Ben Spies. Except for his famous "Elbowz", he has near perfect body position.

agreed

derf · 03-22-2009, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yamerhaw

but this pic is showing a rider with BOTH his lower and upper body off the bike, like shmike was saying

The body position I was trying to describe for my bro was with his ass centered on the seat and his upper body hanging off

t-homo · 03-22-2009, 03:18 AM

I think the "right" body position varies a lot from person to person, however there are definitely more wrong positions than right ones.

shmike · 03-22-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

Then we agree.

If you "shift" your weight with your hips, you'll end up crossed up, a la Doohan. If you lead with your head, it will pull your upper body inline with your pelvis when you shift.

Look at how Spies leads with his head and upper body, almost pointing his body like a spear:

While not perfectly straight he is pretty damn close to being in line with the bike:

Amber Lamps · 03-22-2009, 02:11 PM

The other thing is pictures lie... the pic with Hayden,the bike is sideways with the tire spinning,you're not going to be in a "perfect body position" at this point. The other pics could be catching the rider in different transition positions as he is shifting his weight into or out of a corner. Not to mention,that in a snapshot you as the viewer are unaware of the upcoming situation,perhaps the rider is in a chicane and can't fully commit his body to the first corner. The only time you will even approach a text book body stance is in a "smooth" or text book corner situation.

03-22-2009, 01:19 AM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	Leaning versus Knee Down I saw two examples of riding today. While riding some twisty roads, I saw a Harley tourer coming toward me that seemed like it was going too fast to make a turn. I slowed down expecting him to crash or run off the road. Then I saw something that was pretty rare. He leaned waaaayyyyy off the bike. And made the corner without scraping anything. He was barrel-chested, so he was putting a lot of weight to the inside of that curve. He had no helmet or leathers on, and was grinning from ear to ear as he accelerated by me. He must have had lessons. While I was walking the dog this evening, a scooter rider came around a corner with his knee way out and almost hitting the ground. Except his scooter was weaving and scraping. I thought he had a flat tire. Then I looked up from his scooter and saw that his body was leaning the opposite way. His upper body was exactly perpendicular to the ground. Luckily for him there were no parked cars as he swung way out or he would have hit them. He needed lessons.

03-22-2009, 02:02 AM	#3
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I noticed a very similar thing today too. I went riding with my brother today, he has been "learning" from some folks he met at school. They have his upper body leaned way over while his ass doesn't move at all, he sort of bends over the top of his bike. Now I also know that my leaning position sucks, I slide my ass over to the side that I'm turning and my upper body only moves a few inches. Last time I did a track day the biggest piece of advice was to move my upper body over more (there were many more but I wont talk about them here). My brothers body position (not actually him) My body position (also not actually me) __________________

03-22-2009, 01:44 AM	#2
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	interesting, the second scenario sounds like 50ccs of mayhem....

03-22-2009, 03:18 AM	#8
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	I think the "right" body position varies a lot from person to person, however there are definitely more wrong positions than right ones.

03-22-2009, 02:11 PM	#10
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	The other thing is pictures lie... the pic with Hayden,the bike is sideways with the tire spinning,you're not going to be in a "perfect body position" at this point. The other pics could be catching the rider in different transition positions as he is shifting his weight into or out of a corner. Not to mention,that in a snapshot you as the viewer are unaware of the upcoming situation,perhaps the rider is in a chicane and can't fully commit his body to the first corner. The only time you will even approach a text book body stance is in a "smooth" or text book corner situation.