Legality of getting your knee down

[supercommuter]

Naturally one would assume that if you have your knee down you are going fast enough to warrant it - which usually is the case.

But what about people pissing around on roundabouts or tight corners and dragging a knee - where it's not required but lots of people do just messing around.

Is it actually illegal?

[8potdave]

It's very much a Grey area ad down to the discretion of the officer. If you're getting your knee down on the motorway I would assume they might do you for speeding

[Renn Sport]

I think I was told that its reckless.. Also there really isn't any reason to get your knee down on the road.

Not quite the same dangerous riding rap you get with pulling wheelies.

[Pebbles167]

I learned to do it on quiet industrial estate roundabouts when I first got my licence.

An ex cop I knew said they'd probably be able to do you under something, although they'd probably have to be having a pretty bad day to try. Said the likelihood was a quick chat.

[bogie]

On advanced riding training they say its not necessary on the road as you should always be riding with plenty of cornering capability in reserve rather than having to hang off the bike to increase the cornering capability available near the limits.

No specific laws against it though; it would depend on what else you were doing at the time and the judgement of copper. Could be careless or dangerous riding if you are hanging over the white centre line, knee down, over the speed limit = banned

[xjay1337]

I can't think of any time on the road you'd "need" to get your knee down. The only time would be when you are on it, in which case you would be revs up, speed up, so likely speeding and dangerous riding.

[supercommuter]

I did say in my original post - when its not required The only time i 'need' to put my knee down is on track. But when I am on my road bike the occasional knee down on the roundabout happens. I just wondered if it was legal!

[xjay1337]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

This topic from 2003 (blimey I was 12) discusses it quite well.

[Wacky Racer]

Why do people need to pretend they are Geoff Duke, Kenny Roberts or Barry Sheene when riding on the road?....

Ride sensibly and you'll happen live longer.

If you want to hang off a bike like an ape have a track day....


WR.

Passed test 1969, never fell off once.

[CAPP0]

Wacky Racer said:

Why do people need to pretend they are Geoff Duke, Kenny Roberts or Barry Sheene when riding on the road?....

Ride sensibly and you'll happen live longer.

If you want to hang off a bike like an ape have a track day....


WR.

Passed test 1969, never fell off once.

Not sure whether to go with "will you tell us if you do?" or "if you don't fall off you're not trying hard enough".

[Wyvern971]

Wacky Racer said:

Passed test 1969, never fell off once Fell off more than once.

Is how I read that

[Biker's Nemesis]

I never. Ever, get my knee down in the road, I can't see any point in it at all

I do wheelies all the time so take no heed of me

[spookly]

bogie said:

On advanced riding training they say its not necessary on the road as you should always be riding with plenty of cornering capability in reserve rather than having to hang off the bike to increase the cornering capability available near the limits.

No specific laws against it though; it would depend on what else you were doing at the time and the judgement of copper. Could be careless or dangerous riding if you are hanging over the white centre line, knee down, over the speed limit = banned

Also not a bright idea due to possibility of panel vans coming the other way... learnt that one within 24 hours of passing my test. A white van narrowly missing your lid slows you down for a few days :-)

[Renn Sport]

xjay1337 said:

I can't think of any time on the road you'd "need" to get your knee down. The only time would be when you are on it, in which case you would be revs up, speed up, so likely speeding and dangerous riding.

^^ I agree with this bloke

Wacky Racer said:

.

Ride sensibly and you'll happen live longer.

If you want to hang off a bike like an ape have a track day....


WR.

Passed test 1969, never fell off once.

^^^ agree with this bloke too although I don't believe he's trying hard enough.

Biker's Nemesis said:

I never. Ever, get my knee down in the road, I can't see any point in it at all

I do wheelies all the time so take no heed of me

^^^ Agree with this bloke as well although I have to pick my moments to do a wheelie... ie not outside schools etc.

I am being pretty agreeable today

[snorky782]

No point on the road at all IMO. Most TT riders don't do it, so d finitely no need as i doubt any of us are better than them. Slow speed stuff is just asking for a pull and a full inspection if seen by plod.

Due care and attention is the most likely charge, as theres no need for a specific law to ban it.

[xjay1337]

supercommuter said:

I was curious that's all. I will stick to pulling wheelies during school kick out time in heavily built up areas and dragging my knee around mini roundabouts in the city centre.

That's far safer.

[moanthebairns]

I met this guy in novice at croft. He destroys knee sliders. I've no idea why.

He'd do it on the road no problem within the speed limit

[Pebbles167]

That's some serious hang off he's giving it. Would probably fall off the bike with any more.

[supercommuter]

Pebbles167 said:

That's some serious hang off he's giving it. Would probably fall off the bike with any more.

Does look like hes hanging off a lot, but also looks like a big chap!

[moanthebairns]

He's built like but average height.