[Landshark92]

When I ride my bike, I can shift forward or backward in the seat about 2 inches. I usually ride hugging the tank and that is where I would normally hang off. I tried scooting back till I hit the buttrest and hung off and it feels okay, a little more stable, compared to the racier tankhugging position.

Just wondering which is the right position, and how does it relate to front and rear tire traction? I was thinking the back position would lightly load the front tire and cause a gradual slip as the bike runs wide. The tankhugging position would load the front tire, and while traction would be good, when it slips, it would tuck under and I would lowside.

I don't even come close to these limits on the street, but I will be going to the track very soon and the point is to explore my limits and probe further on the bike, and I want to know what would happen beforehand. What are your thoughts on these theories?

 

[Ozzy_R1_demon]

Although Im no expert,for regular cruising around/riding-most people generally sit an inch or two away from the tank,as its more comfortable.

You'll find that your riding position will drastically change once you get onto a track and into trackdays*PS:Theyre ADDICTIVE:yesnod*

While this may not be very usefull info for you,I think that everyone has their own riding style-so just do what feel most comfortable for you.

Cheers.
:thumbup

 

[Eyespy]

Keep your weight forward on the seat, lean over the tank.

 

[KneeDragger77]

yes, i try to keep my weight forward as well. Especially in hard braking areas where I use my ball-sack and legs to absorb most of the braking force instead of my arms. However, I cant remember where but I read once about how you were "supposed" to keep you butt back in the seat under braking so as not to upset the suspension by transferring too much weight forward. Like by scooting up near the tank you are letting the shock extend too much?

I dont know, what do you think?

 

[gtg727g]

I'm no heavy guy or anything, but under reasonably hard acceleration if I don't sit all the way at the front, my bike is pretty wheelie-happy.

 

[gtg727g]

:iamwithst not that this has anything to do with trackdays necessarily

 

[Eyespy]

yes, i try to keep my weight forward as well. Especially in hard braking areas where I use my ball-sack to absorb most of the braking force instead of my arms.

So that's what you mean by tankslapper :finger OUCH! :hellobye

Anyway, the back and sides of the tank are important "anchor" points under heavy braking. I see what you mean by keeping your weight shifted back under braking to keep the rear of the bike better planted, but I think whatever you might gain from that would be minimal, and mitigated by the fact that you'd essentially have to keep your weight shifted back by applying pressure to the bars while you were braking. It's better, as you said, to keep as much pressure off the bars and use your legs, grip the tank sides, anchor against the back of the tank. So sitting forward on the seat is better, more stable, and minimizes unintentional steering inputs/pressure on the bars when you're braking hard.

 

[over_dose]

I have to stay forward. If I dont, its harder to keep the line. This thing is so light it still amazes me that every movement changes the way it handles

 

[stuman]

For the most part you DO NOT want to sit all the way forward. Doing so will cause you to rotate around the gas tank with your hips when you hang off. This in turn will make it harder for you to lock your outside knee into the side of the gas tank. How far back you sit depends on how tall you are and the bike. You want to sit far enough back so that you leg is really locked into the side of the tank. You can use both knees to pinch the gas tank with your knees when you enter a corner so you can stay back off the tank and still keep you arms loose. When your ready to turn the bike in just allow your inside knee to fall naturally down into the corner.

If you feel comfortable sitting all the way back in you seat the do so. If the bike will not hold a line or has some other handeling problem because of this you may want to try adjusting your suspension instead of your riding position.

The important thing is you want to make sure you are using your legs and not your arms to hold onto the bike when hanging off. What ever riding position allows you to do this is correct. As a general rule it's harder to hang on with your legs when you sit real forward on the bike. Most riders would be better off sitting a little futher back.