Okay heres a pic of me touching down, I know I have to work on a few things, like my upper body position (or at least i think i know). So lets hear them, the good the bad, the ugly, but please keep it constructive.
Grifter
Suggestions please, know it/I need work
Okay heres a pic of me touching down, I know I have to work on a few things, like my upper body position (or at least i think i know). So lets hear them, the good the bad, the ugly, but please keep it constructive.
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I think the obvious thing is that your head ought to be turned towards the inside of the turn, and level with the horizon. This has many benefits, and reducing the sensation of your speed is one of the best. Good quality photo, sweet looking bike. Was this at a track day?
nice picture, here are my suggestions...
The bike isnt leaned over far enough for you to be dragging. Its almost like you had to get your whole body off of the bike, and that is why you might look a bit unnatural there.
Then again, you are way farther along than most guys, so kudos to that. As you practice more it will become much easier.
The bike isnt leaned over far enough for you to be dragging. Its almost like you had to get your whole body off of the bike, and that is why you might look a bit unnatural there.
Then again, you are way farther along than most guys, so kudos to that. As you practice more it will become much easier.
Keep your visor shut for one thing. I hang off a good deal, but I'm 5' 7". However I find it keeps the tyres more square to the surface minimizing the risk of the rear letting go. The problem comes when the rear does let go and you're hanging off for all it's worth as you then struggle to control the slide and usually end up on your arse. It's a compromise thing. Knee sliding is just a trick and if you watch racing you'll see the majoirty of them don't bother with it at every corner. All they're interested in doing is keeping the centre of gravity on the inside of the bike. If the corner is one they'll be sliding out of they'll keep as mush weight towards the centre of the bike as possible. It's a fine balancing act.
yeah ive been practicing because when Im in front of other riders they tend to tell me to them it looks like im leaning over far to much,and that i should practice hanging off to decrease lean angle. Ive yet to hit my feelers yet, so I guess im still safe.
thanks all so far.... keep them coming.
thanks all so far.... keep them coming.
Alright all the advice has been great so far and here is my .02
At 6'7" and 240lbs I know what you say when you talk about being big on a bike. Actually the only real problem I have is shifting at full tuck, other than that I fit the bike alright. When at full lean don't sit all the way back in the seat. And never move on the bike once it's leaned over! Once you enter the corner don't move, moving simply upsets the bike. I have about a fist sized gap between the tank and the inside of my thigh. That is my left thigh through a left turn. The right thigh is tight against the tank. Most of my weight is supported on my left leg with a little pulling on the right. I try to position my head right where the mirror is, forward and over the tank. If you are on the street practicing, simply bend them down. It is critical to look as far throught the turn as possible! Don't worry about the horizon, do what feels best. But look through the turn.
And the best advice I can give, don't worry about getting the knee down. I know a club racer that has yet to get a knee down. He is fast as hell but simply doesn't touch his knee to the ground. I can scrape a knee though the whole corner, yet he has higher corner speed and is simply faster. He's on a little lighter bike, but it isn't that big a difference. I guess my point is, getting a knee down does not prove how good a rider you are. My advice, worry about entry and corner speed. Beat people on the brakes, that is what looks the best. I love watching Rossi beat Gibernau on the brakes, not in the middle when thay have thier knee on the ground. And don't ever forget to have fun! :beer
At 6'7" and 240lbs I know what you say when you talk about being big on a bike. Actually the only real problem I have is shifting at full tuck, other than that I fit the bike alright. When at full lean don't sit all the way back in the seat. And never move on the bike once it's leaned over! Once you enter the corner don't move, moving simply upsets the bike. I have about a fist sized gap between the tank and the inside of my thigh. That is my left thigh through a left turn. The right thigh is tight against the tank. Most of my weight is supported on my left leg with a little pulling on the right. I try to position my head right where the mirror is, forward and over the tank. If you are on the street practicing, simply bend them down. It is critical to look as far throught the turn as possible! Don't worry about the horizon, do what feels best. But look through the turn.
And the best advice I can give, don't worry about getting the knee down. I know a club racer that has yet to get a knee down. He is fast as hell but simply doesn't touch his knee to the ground. I can scrape a knee though the whole corner, yet he has higher corner speed and is simply faster. He's on a little lighter bike, but it isn't that big a difference. I guess my point is, getting a knee down does not prove how good a rider you are. My advice, worry about entry and corner speed. Beat people on the brakes, that is what looks the best. I love watching Rossi beat Gibernau on the brakes, not in the middle when thay have thier knee on the ground. And don't ever forget to have fun! :beer
I agree. Don't hang oyur ass off so far.
As Scooby said, use the outside knee to gain support.
Hang off a little less, get your chin over the top of your inside hand so the spine is straight.
Here's perfect body position, although Edwards usually is more upright than this.
Notice how Colin's head is over the right hand? And Bayliss (#1), his head is more centered. Edwards's position in this shot is better.
while not quite as tall as you, i do have a few more pounds on a slightly shoreter fram.
My advice for you as a "larger rider" is what i use.
(BTW 6' 0" 250lbs :crash)
MOve forward on the seat, and when you lean, move forward and around the tank instead of simply off the the side.
This has multiple benefits for you.
1. It actually allows you to lean less while cornering, and while cornering it compresses the suspension a little which will tighten up the steering angle causing you to turn quicker.
Also as said before, don't move mid corner, maybe that is what your fellow riders are noticing when they say that you look awkward. I am a little different than most, and most who ride with me notice it right away, in that i tend to quickly "slam" the bike down at the beginning of the corner and then ride it /roll it throught the entry/apex/exit before accelerating out of the corner. It appears different and sometimes is described as awkward by some i've ridden with, but allows me to concentrate on the cornering aspects rather than my body position so much.
BTW, i haven't put a knee on the ground in years. but then again, i haven't really tried either.......
My advice for you as a "larger rider" is what i use.
(BTW 6' 0" 250lbs :crash)
MOve forward on the seat, and when you lean, move forward and around the tank instead of simply off the the side.
This has multiple benefits for you.
1. It actually allows you to lean less while cornering, and while cornering it compresses the suspension a little which will tighten up the steering angle causing you to turn quicker.
Also as said before, don't move mid corner, maybe that is what your fellow riders are noticing when they say that you look awkward. I am a little different than most, and most who ride with me notice it right away, in that i tend to quickly "slam" the bike down at the beginning of the corner and then ride it /roll it throught the entry/apex/exit before accelerating out of the corner. It appears different and sometimes is described as awkward by some i've ridden with, but allows me to concentrate on the cornering aspects rather than my body position so much.
BTW, i haven't put a knee on the ground in years. but then again, i haven't really tried either.......
1 cheek off-weight on the inside peg-helmet behind the rearveiw mirror position-shoulders square with the handlebars-easy/light armwork on the streer/inputs-backbone same angle as the bike-move smoothly into/out of lean position. When you get to trackday begin with smooth riding and the lap times will fall naturally.
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