Need help shifting weight in turns..

[Choppa650]

I am still a noob, and the more rides I go on, I watch all of the experienced riders tend to shift weight on all of the turns they make. I feel that my throttle control is getting better, and I am focusing on trying not to use my brakes in the twisties. But I would like to hear the pros, and cons on shifting your weight, and if this is going to be a crucial thing on me becoming a better rider.

 

[fubar929]

Since you mention that you can see other people doing it, I'm assuming you mean hanging off the bike like pro racers do, right? As opposed to putting more weight on one peg or the other to affect how the bike turns.

Hanging off is generally used to minimize lean angle, so that you can carry more speed through a corner. If you're not scraping your footpegs, fairings, or exhaust pipe on the ground you probably don't need to worry about hanging off just yet...

 

[paroxysm]

Go pick up Nick Ienstatsh "Sport Riding Techniques"

Great commentary on weighting the pegs, hanging off, etc. Probably the best $20 I've spent on my motorcycle...besides my super special Sidi Socks

Get the book, read it, practice. He talks about weighting the pegs and taking focus off your arms, which in turn reduces weight on the wrists and cuts back on unnecessary pushing/pulling on the bars. Super good book, easy read, and cool pictures.

 

[Choppa650]

Right on thanks, and yes I was referring to folks knee dragging. Thanks for the input.

 

[Choppa650]

Oh and ya, no I am not scraping that ish yet, but the chicken strips are gone yeah baaaby..

 

[SaloSV]

hmmm, this could interesting. i hang off, but have never dragged anything, and my strips are pretty small though not all the way gone.

my concern at this point is that when transitioning my weight from one side to the other, the bike wobbles. is that normal a thing? or am I just "not smooth?"

 

[truent]

for the guy above:

straight from sport riding techniques..

"Since body movement radically affects a light race bike's handling, racers must learn to time their weight shift just right. Shift your weight too early and the bike begins fading toward the corner before you are ready to make the steering input. Shift your weight too late and the bike, already committed to the corner will bobble and wobble as you lunge to the inside."

Keith code said something about it in twist2 i think too.. whatever.. its all timing

also.. i dont think many on here would recommend kneedragging on the street.. but that sport riding techniques book has a good alternative suggestion.. where you're not draggin knee but you're definitely shifting weight.. seems like a good idea, safer but still getting used to weight transfer.. just a thought

 

[JAS510]

nice post

 

[SaloSV]

ooohhh, I don't drag knee at all. the only time i ever dragged anything was my toe, but it was in the wrong position. had it been in the proper position, it prolly wouldn't have happened. it definitely scared the poo out of me though.

i'm a B pace rider at best on an aggressive day.

sounds like i'm doing what the book suggests. although a read of it would be good for me.

 

[Choppa650]

Cool thanks for the input. I dont have desire to knee drag on the streets, but that post definately helps. It is just a weird feeling to slide my ass of the seat to take a turn that I can do fine without having to do that.

 

[DaveToo]

First thing to check if the bike wobbles when you move around is whether you're pulling yourself over by the handlebars. It should be all legs. Put your bike in a Sport Chok or have a friend or two hold it vertical while you practice moving from side to side with your hands off the bars. Use your "outside" thigh and heel to keep you on the bike.

Then you still need to smoothly put pressure on both pegs to unweight the seat and slide over.

 

[SaloSV]

First thing to check if the bike wobbles when you move around is whether you're pulling yourself over by the handlebars. It should be all legs.

ah crap. i guess that means i have to workout again.

 

[Choppa650]

Cool thanks. I will work on these things.

 

[Shunter/Get-Off]

Also make sure you are really steady with the throttle while transitioning. It can be a rude surprise when you are standing on the pegs with your butt off the seat and a bit of inadvertent throttle makes the bike try to squirt out from under you. It can cause some pretty awful weight transfer, and I once had a crash in a chicane because of this.
And get that weight forward! Make the front work for you!

Mike

 

[Choppa650]

Cool thanks. I will work on these things.

Recently when I ride in the twisties no matter how fast/slow I am going I have been trying not to use the brakes at all, and gain better throttle control by doing so. But that is what I wanted to hear, when and how to shift weight, and if it is a necessary thing to achieve the max lean angle on my bike. thx.

 

[SaloSV]

well, this should be a question for Mr. Code in the other thread, but...

I took heed to advice given here, and my riding improved, at least it felt that way. much less wobble with smoother "sliding" weight transitions, rather than the typical "up-over-down" move. and it was ALL legs. i kept very light on the handle bars.

but i also incoporated a few of Keith's throttle ideas from his book. i.e. getting on the gas early, and using as much precision in rolling off when approaching a turn as you do when rolling on when exiting. i had a blast on a 276 mile day.

oh yeah, and very little brakes. only if absolutely necessary. thats one of the good things about the twin: great engine break.