Shifting body weight for a turn: Difference between revisions

(3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)

Line 11:

===What ''not'' to do===

~~These~~ photos are from a track ~~day~~. Going to [[Track Days|a track school]] is the best way to learn and practice this technique. However, ~~this~~ is an extension of the weight-shifting techniques discussed above. Shifting weight for a turn is something that should be done as a matter of routine, but go slowly and work up to this level.

The photos in this article are from track days. Going to [[Track Days|a track school]] is the best way to learn and practice this technique. However, hanging off on the track is an extension of the weight-shifting techniques discussed above. Shifting weight for a turn is something that should be done as a matter of routine, but go slowly and work up to this level.

The following photographs show common mistakes and how to remedy them.

Line 25:

[[image:IMG_5147.jpg|150px]]

Try arranging yourself so that your outside thigh is against the gas tank. Then, lean forward to lower your upper body somewhat toward the inside grip, while still keeping your head upright and turned~~. This rider has that part right~~. That way, your whole inside hip-to-chest-to-shoulder axis is hanging off, more or less parallel to the bike.

Try arranging yourself so that your outside thigh is against or just a little behind the gas tank. Then, lean forward to lower your upper body somewhat toward the inside grip, while still keeping your head upright and turned. That way, your whole inside hip-to-chest-to-shoulder axis is hanging off, more or less parallel to the bike.

[[image:d13.jpg|150px]]

[[image:d16.jpg|150px]]

As you start going faster, you'll find there is a balance between using your entire outside thigh or just your knee to support your body. If you sit tight to the gas tank, hanging off is very tricky, as you can't spread your legs wide enough to move the body over the side. You'll have to experiment as you learn and see what works best. Some people find they have to sit back a little from the tank. If you sit on the back of the seat, though, the bike will tend to wheelie more (particularly if you have a bike with a little more power than an EX250).

Follow the tips in this article and learn how to move your body when you turn. You'll turn better, and the bike will have to lean less, which will give you more traction. Then, when you're ready to go faster and hang off more, head to track school and get pointers from people who have been doing this for years.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ===What ''not'' to do===
-These photos are from a track day. Going to [[Track Days|a track school]] is the best way to learn and practice this technique. However, this is an extension of the weight-shifting techniques discussed above. Shifting weight for a turn is something that should be done as a matter of routine, but go slowly and work up to this level.
+The photos in this article are from track days. Going to [[Track Days|a track school]] is the best way to learn and practice this technique. However, hanging off on the track is an extension of the weight-shifting techniques discussed above. Shifting weight for a turn is something that should be done as a matter of routine, but go slowly and work up to this level.
 The following photographs show common mistakes and how to remedy them.
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 [[image:IMG_5147.jpg|150px]]
-Try arranging yourself so that your outside thigh is against the gas tank. Then, lean forward to lower your upper body somewhat toward the inside grip, while still keeping your head upright and turned. This rider has that part right. That way, your whole inside hip-to-chest-to-shoulder axis is hanging off, more or less parallel to the bike.
+Try arranging yourself so that your outside thigh is against or just a little behind the gas tank. Then, lean forward to lower your upper body somewhat toward the inside grip, while still keeping your head upright and turned. That way, your whole inside hip-to-chest-to-shoulder axis is hanging off, more or less parallel to the bike.
 [[image:d13.jpg|150px]]
 [[image:d16.jpg|150px]]
+As you start going faster, you'll find there is a balance between using your entire outside thigh or just your knee to support your body. If you sit tight to the gas tank, hanging off is very tricky, as you can't spread your legs wide enough to move the body over the side. You'll have to experiment as you learn and see what works best. Some people find they have to sit back a little from the tank. If you sit on the back of the seat, though, the bike will tend to wheelie more (particularly if you have a bike with a little more power than an EX250).
+Follow the tips in this article and learn how to move your body when you turn. You'll turn better, and the bike will have to lean less, which will give you more traction. Then, when you're ready to go faster and hang off more, head to track school and get pointers from people who have been doing this for years.