from 1000 to 750...

[Ninja Geoff]

VX, you do look tense. It looks almost like you're falling off the bike, not moving off it. as far as i can see, it's your upper body, it doesn't seem... fluid enough. And at those angles, you really don't need to lean off at all.

[macktruckturner]

I don't know where you got the tip to put weight on the inside peg and on the outside of the tank - but a number of professional racers say that's wrong, physics doesn't grin too kindly on it either.

Ever given thought to actual riding school? Maybe the California Superbike School.. get on the lean machine and learn what it is all about w/o the risk of dumping it hard? I know it's expensive, but so is crashing your own bike trying to figure this stuff out from the bad advice of your riding buddies.

The heel guards are there to keep you from bringing your heels in far enough to get a) whacked by the swingarm, b) hit the wheel, or more importantly c) be removed by the chain. Try to stay on the balls of your feet, and stop trying to throw your leg out perpendicular to the motorcycle, that is flat out not necessary. If you absolutely must hang off do the following....

Look through the turn, and find your line.
Brake, and downshift smoothly into the appropriate gear.
Initiate the turn by pushing the opposite bar forward while transfering weight through your legs to the footpeg on the same side as that bar, pressing your knee against the tank on the same side still.
Remain loose in the arms and hold yourself up with a combination of your turn-side leg, and the one you're applying weight to on the outside of the bike. Rotate forward and to the side with the ball of your inside foot. You will shift to that side and be hanging off w/o any un-natural angles in any of your joints.
Roll on the throttle smoothly and exit the turn.

That's a lot of verbage for something that is very, very simple - and happens all in one fluid motion... You'll find that as you rotate forward and do the side.. your knee gets closer and closer to the ground. You may proceed to do your main goal in life and drag knee to see just how close to the ground you are, and if you understand your motorcycle and it's capabilities - how much further it has before you both slide off into oblivion. That my friend is the only reason to drag knee. This is also why many of us have tried to get you to understand that it has no practical value in street riding within the safe limits of an experienced rider. It is done by racers on the track when, and only when, they require an extra point of feedback as to their position.

oh, btw - I watched a guy lowside with 2" chicken strips. All lowsiding requires is a loss of, or change in traction from a number of reasons - road conditions, throttle input, brake input, steering input. Do that while leaned over in a way that your tires do not like, and you can lowside way before you're at the tire's edge. Attempt, inappropriately, to correct an impending lowside, and you might just get thrown over the handlebars in a high side. Never done it, heard it hurts a lot.

[macktruckturner]

got ya, I'm just trying to give you some advice based in reality that should correct the problems you've identified yourself - while showing you how those problems also affect other areas. In the end you'll figure out whatever you figure out. I'm sure you'll let us know when you do :p

I really have added about all I can without being there in person to demonstrate, so I'll tune out for a few more weeks. Happy riding, and keep the rubber side down.

[VermilionX]

Look through the turn, and find your line.
Brake, and downshift smoothly into the appropriate gear.
Initiate the turn by pushing the opposite bar forward while transfering weight through your legs to the footpeg on the same side as that bar, pressing your knee against the tank on the same side still.
Remain loose in the arms and hold yourself up with a combination of your turn-side leg, and the one you're applying weight to on the outside of the bike. Rotate forward and to the side with the ball of your inside foot. You will shift to that side and be hanging off w/o any un-natural angles in any of your joints.
Roll on the throttle smoothly and exit the turn.

that's pretty much what im trying... maybe i worded it wrong.

and im trying to picture what you mean by "rotating to the side"






anyway it seems i still need work on my upper body

here's ben spies and i noticed how his spine is aligned to his lower body.




while my upper body still needs more work...





and yeah... i guess i should stop positioning my knees perpendicular to my bike.

[NorthernPete]

Just a tip Verm, may want to invest in some quick disconnect mirrors, in case of a low speed drop. might save you some $$... also, save ya prep for your track day when you get to er.

[VermilionX]

Just a tip Verm, may want to invest in some quick disconnect mirrors, in case of a low speed drop. might save you some $$... also, save ya prep for your track day when you get to er.

i already had a low speed crash and my mirror just folded. remember my stupid mistake for riding over a gravel patch and instantly lost the front.

but yeah... they are pretty expensive so when i go to the track... i will remove it instead of just fold it.

[Big B]

The angles made by your wrists, elbows, and shoulders - right up to your neck are not in sync with what someone comfortable and relaxed looks like on a sportbike. I believe that is what the others (and certainly what I) sense as high levels of tension in your riding.

that's exactly what i meant verm. it looks as if you're falling off of your bike instead of being in control of it. waaaay too tense young grasshopper. do some yoga or meditating and become one with the bike and soon your knee will drag

[Britjoe]

I cant beleive this thread is still going....YOUR SUCH a friggin SQUID!

[VermilionX]

I cant beleive this thread is still going....YOUR SUCH a friggin SQUID!

at least im wearing leathers.




PS. i agree that i do squidly stuff and im not bothered by being referred to as a squid.

but im bothered when i get called a poser.

i am not a poser... my guitar, my sword, my gun... i know how to use them. im not an expert but i know how to use it and it's not just for show.

same goes for my bike... im not an expert but i know how to use it and i practice to learn to use it better.

[Britjoe]

my guitar, my sword, my gun......You having a laugh arnt you,