Question on racing technique
Discussion
silverfoxcc said:
Watching races and would like to know the reason why riders take their 'inside' leg of the peg and wave it a bit just before the approaching corner
It's an air-brake.That's why racers spend so much time in the gym working on their legs; it give more wind-resistance when slowing for corners if you have big thighs and calves.
Bearing in mind the current regs prohibit the use of sail-cloth between hip and ankle, this is the best they can do.
It's a placebo largely, riders been doing it for years.
Doohan and Schwantz used to do it, mainly to make room for the downchange or a to brake or position themselves.
Lots of riders started doing it as a panic thing with a last gasp braking move on 4 stroke GP bikes as the engine brake felt different to a 2 stroke, but it developed into a technique to introduce a bit of weight onto the inside of the bike and even as a wind brake in some cases.
That weight is better off inside the bike than on the peg as it is a few kilos further towards the apex.
Most do it well, apart from Haslam who uses it to stop people passing.
Doohan and Schwantz used to do it, mainly to make room for the downchange or a to brake or position themselves.
Lots of riders started doing it as a panic thing with a last gasp braking move on 4 stroke GP bikes as the engine brake felt different to a 2 stroke, but it developed into a technique to introduce a bit of weight onto the inside of the bike and even as a wind brake in some cases.
That weight is better off inside the bike than on the peg as it is a few kilos further towards the apex.
Most do it well, apart from Haslam who uses it to stop people passing.
Nobody really knows why they do it. It’s all well and good writing all that with authority, but I doubt anyone knows for definite. I did it once when I thought I was crashing. It seems an instinctive thing to do, like when you put your feet down on a push bike to try to brake a bit more.
I doubt it does anything of real value.
I doubt it does anything of real value.
chunder27 said:
It's a placebo largely, riders been doing it for years.
Doohan and Schwantz used to do it, mainly to make room for the downchange or a to brake or position themselves.
Lots of riders started doing it as a panic thing with a last gasp braking move on 4 stroke GP bikes as the engine brake felt different to a 2 stroke, but it developed into a technique to introduce a bit of weight onto the inside of the bike and even as a wind brake in some cases.
That weight is better off inside the bike than on the peg as it is a few kilos further towards the apex.
Most do it well, apart from Haslam who uses it to stop people passing.
Strange, I don't really remember any of that era of rider doing it. Not deliberately/regularly, anyway. I can't imagine Doohan would've been much cop with one of his legs, from what I've seen of him he'd struggle to get it back onto the peg! Two-strokes have barely any engine braking, so would think any panicking would be the other way around; going from four to two strokes!Doohan and Schwantz used to do it, mainly to make room for the downchange or a to brake or position themselves.
Lots of riders started doing it as a panic thing with a last gasp braking move on 4 stroke GP bikes as the engine brake felt different to a 2 stroke, but it developed into a technique to introduce a bit of weight onto the inside of the bike and even as a wind brake in some cases.
That weight is better off inside the bike than on the peg as it is a few kilos further towards the apex.
Most do it well, apart from Haslam who uses it to stop people passing.
Lindun
Riders have been interviewed about it as so many do it. So they might initially have done it as a panic thing, but I think data obviously showed a benefit as most riders seem to do it at some point.
I agree about the two stroke thing, but I just recall Schwantz and Mick taking their feet off, probably to make space for a foot or something.
there is something about having a few kilos of weight inside the tyres, that is all.
Bit like wings, you think they mean nothing until the data shows you otherwise.
Riders have been interviewed about it as so many do it. So they might initially have done it as a panic thing, but I think data obviously showed a benefit as most riders seem to do it at some point.
I agree about the two stroke thing, but I just recall Schwantz and Mick taking their feet off, probably to make space for a foot or something.
there is something about having a few kilos of weight inside the tyres, that is all.
Bit like wings, you think they mean nothing until the data shows you otherwise.
Lindun said:
Kawasicki said:
I think a lot of it comes from riding dirt bikes, where one foot forward is commonplace...I think the idea is to shift weight forward.
That’s a completely different riding style. There is little that transfers from one discipline to another I. Terms of outright style. Kawasicki said:
It used to be a completely different style, but road racing bike riders look more and more like supermoto riders to my eyes. And supermoto style is often quite close to motocross style.
They really don’t to me. I’m damn sure Marquez learns from his flattracking but his style on his MotoGP bike is completely different to his flat tracking or other bikes he rides. Balance and moving the CoG
Do a full lock turn with feet on the pegs and the inside foot dangling. Much easier when dangling.
Same applies to trials bikes and balancing. You’ll see a ride keeps moving the bike across and sticking a leg out widens the range the CoG can move in, especially if he needs to regain balance
Regardless of what you ride, if you don’t understand what effect your body position has on the bikes balance and grip you’re not properly in control of the bike
Do a full lock turn with feet on the pegs and the inside foot dangling. Much easier when dangling.
Same applies to trials bikes and balancing. You’ll see a ride keeps moving the bike across and sticking a leg out widens the range the CoG can move in, especially if he needs to regain balance
Regardless of what you ride, if you don’t understand what effect your body position has on the bikes balance and grip you’re not properly in control of the bike
Steve Bass said:
Balance and moving the CoG
Do a full lock turn with feet on the pegs and the inside foot dangling. Much easier when dangling.
Same applies to trials bikes and balancing. You’ll see a ride keeps moving the bike across and sticking a leg out widens the range the CoG can move in, especially if he needs to regain balance
Regardless of what you ride, if you don’t understand what effect your body position has on the bikes balance and grip you’re not properly in control of the bike
Trike? Do a full lock turn with feet on the pegs and the inside foot dangling. Much easier when dangling.
Same applies to trials bikes and balancing. You’ll see a ride keeps moving the bike across and sticking a leg out widens the range the CoG can move in, especially if he needs to regain balance
Regardless of what you ride, if you don’t understand what effect your body position has on the bikes balance and grip you’re not properly in control of the bike
Lindun said:
Old school, Rossi invented the Doctors Dangle, Kyle Ryde has moved it on a level on the Moto2 bikes in SuperSport in BSB by doing it with both legs.
Here he is at Cascades at Oulton Park, seriously watch him this weekend at Donington.
Kyle Ryde can certainly ride, but I do wonder WTF he is doing with both legs off the pegs. Here he is at Cascades at Oulton Park, seriously watch him this weekend at Donington.
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