Body position while street riding

[Siris]

I have heard about the adage that the techniques that make you faster, when applied at lower speeds also make you safer. In that spirit, wanted to get some feedback on a few body positioning techniques for street riding.

- chest/hips turned towards the turn. When approaching a turn, essentially turning your body to face the turn as you bring the bike around. This naturally opens your inside knee out, and outside leg presses into the tank. Some people do seem to argue having the inside knee flared out for street riding.

- inside pegs weighted getting into the turn to provide a smoother counter steer.

- Hanging off more than necessary for the speed, so bike stays more vertical in case of unexpected traction issues ahead.

Thoughts on these to make you more safer on the street when taking turns? Or would MX style body positioning be better overall where you push the bike down instead so you remain more agile to unexpected changes? A lot of people on the road I see seem to do more of the MX style - although I am not sure if it's an intentional choice.

 

[Maddevill]

Honestly, hanging off on the street is largely unnecessary. I used to hang off like a dope everywhere. Then I raced for a bunch of years where hanging off is a good technique. But if you need to hang off at street speeds then I think you're going too fast for the environment. I'm at least as fast now as before I raced and I don't hang off at all now. Keeps the popo from giving you the stink eye too.

 

[Aware]

Honestly, hanging off on the street is largely unnecessary. I used to hang off like a dope everywhere. Then I raced for a bunch of years where hanging off is a good technique. But if you need to hang off at street speeds then I think you're going too fast for the environment. I'm at least as fast now as before I raced and I don't hang off at all now. Keeps the popo from giving you the stink eye too.

+1

 

[Moto Beck]

Honestly, hanging off on the street is largely unnecessary. I used to hang off like a dope everywhere. Then I raced for a bunch of years where hanging off is a good technique. But if you need to hang off at street speeds then I think you're going too fast for the environment. I'm at least as fast now as before I raced and I don't hang off at all now. Keeps the popo from giving you the stink eye too.

Seeing this man ride first hand, he knows a thing or 2 about the above

I move too much side to side on the street (a habit from what i learned riding a few track days) - i get a bit nervous i'm messing up my center of gravity too much being a heavier guy (215lb with gear on) when i don't lean off and that the bike will kick out if i dont scoot my butt over.

The drawback of moving too much is - 1 your legs are murdered at the end of the day - 2 i tend to early apex

always something to work on - don't over think it - ride your ride and at your limit

 

[Outlaws Justice]

Body position is effective, but the degree to which you need to move depends on all the factors involved. I agree that if you are moving so much you are dragging a knee on the street you are riding way to aggressive for the conditions.

Using proper body position (Moving your body to the inside with proper rotation) for road speed turns has many benefits.

If you have a bike that is ground clearance challenged you can prevent the bike from dragging parts. So this might even be more beneficial for cruisers.

Suspension is designed to work in the vertical plane so the more vertical the bike the better the suspension is going to be able to handle the variations in the road surface. In the end allowing for better traction in the real world where conditions are not always perfect.

Proper riding posture (Moving to the inside should include rotation) and this will also help your vision, allowing you to see further through the turn with the sweet spot of the eye. We all know how critical vision is to our riding and body position can hinder or help vision.

Again I am not advocating handing off to the degree racers use on the track, but some degree can be beneficial and that means knowing what you can achieve and selecting the degree that is appropriate for the conditions you face in everyday riding.

 

[Gary856]

Some experienced riders mock new riders using exaggerated body position on the street as if it's a crime. I don't see a problem if someone wants to consistently practice good form, even if it's unnecessary. You will figure out what you really need to do with more seat time.

THE MX style pushing the bike down is used on pavement to add more lean angle at lower speed to achieve a tighter turning radius. Some may ride this way even at higher speed due to the fear of leaning in.

 

[Maddevill]

Some experienced riders mock new riders using exaggerated body position on the street as if it's a crime. I don't see a problem if someone wants to consistently practice good form, even if it's unnecessary. You will figure out what you really need to do with more seat time.

THE MX style pushing the bike down is used on pavement to add more lean angle at lower speed to achieve a tighter turning radius. Some may ride this way even at higher speed due to the fear of leaning in.

Not mocking anyone. But I see too many guys that are trying so hard to get their "knee down dude!" that they ignore proper lines, smoothness and all the other things that make riding safer and fun.

Mad

 

[Kawikiwi]

I do it all the time; it helps me "feel" the corner better, plus it gives me the ability to have extra lean angle for road hazards. Sure, I look absolutely ridiculous, but hell, who doesn't in the Bay Area?

 

[Siris]

Great feedback and discussion!