How's my body position?

AZNRyder · 08-09-2006, 10:43 PM

The Pics are posted in time sequence of the day, from earlier to later. this was my first track day and dragging knees.

ZeuSeason · 08-09-2006, 10:55 PM

Form looks good for a first time track rider! I'm no expert, but I think to make it even better you need to 'kiss the mirror' more. Get your head closer to the side of the windscreen or mirror if it were there.

nig · 08-09-2006, 11:08 PM

Well, if you want to make it look "textbook" I'd get the upper body off more. But it doesn't really have much to do with going fast, which is the point in the end. Whatever works for you.

AZNRyder · 08-09-2006, 11:26 PM

how do I get the upper body off more? just extend the outside arm right? which will automatically get my head closer to the "mirror" right?

ExtraJ · 08-10-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZNRyder

how do I get the upper body off more? just extend the outside arm right? which will automatically get my head closer to the "mirror" right?

Most experts agree that you should keep your outside arm relaxed and even resting on the tank. It all depends on your body shape and tank shape, but I like to have my outside forarm gently resting on the tank just as a reminder to me that it's relaxed.

Lee Parks even says that you should do 100% of your steering with your inside arm.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 08-10-2006, 09:38 PM

I agree about the upper body, it kinda looks like your counter leaning with your upper body somewhat - doesn't look like a natural comfortable position in my opinion.

Keep your head somewhat central to the centerline of the bike and get your upper body more into it, other than that you look like your doing pretty darn good for a 1st track day!

96SNAKE/03RR · 08-11-2006, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExtraJ

Most experts agree that you should keep your outside arm relaxed and even resting on the tank. It all depends on your body shape and tank shape, but I like to have my outside forarm gently resting on the tank just as a reminder to me that it's relaxed.

Lee Parks even says that you should do 100% of your steering with your inside arm.

That's pretty much my feeling on it. I just like leaning the bike as little as needed. But, it's really what each rider feels comfy doing.

Fargin_Bastige · 08-12-2006, 01:51 AM

I personally would bend my inside arm a little more and get your head out from over the top of the tank.

In this series of photos, you look like the middle pic, you want to be more like the one on the right. look where the head is. Generally, if you move your cranium, the body will follow.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 08-12-2006, 01:11 PM

I use to position my body like the picture to the far right, but I was having a problem with not having good feel of the rear tires traction. An instructor of a racing school told me to change my position and keep my head more central to the bikes centerline. What it does is to have your head positioned on a theoretical line between the front and rear tires, moving your head off that line can alter your perception of what's happening to the bike as it turns. Another racer I'm freinds with was given the same advice after he was having the same problem, in his case he was leaning off the bike the most I had ever seen. Both of us now have a better sense of rear tire traction after changing our body/head positions, maybe it's coincidence, but it did work for us.

Fargin_Bastige · 08-12-2006, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSXR RACER MIKE

I use to position my body like the picture to the far right, but I was having a problem with not having good feel of the rear tires traction. An instructor of a racing school told me to change my position and keep my head more central to the bikes centerline. What it does is to have your head positioned on a theoretical line between the front and rear tires, moving your head off that line can alter your perception of what's happening to the bike as it turns. Another racer I'm freinds with was given the same advice after he was having the same problem, in his case he was leaning off the bike the most I had ever seen. Both of us now have a better sense of rear tire traction after changing our body/head positions, maybe it's coincidence, but it did work for us.

There's a bit of disagreement on this topic.

Were you on here when the Code instructor came on an preached against head near the centerline?

Also, I'm surprised you had a problem with rear tire feel, I've met you. You, like I, have enough ass to keep on the seat even while leaned over.

96SNAKE/03RR · 08-12-2006, 04:06 PM

I also have enough ass to feel what the rear is doing. Crap! I say that like it's a good thing.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 08-13-2006, 11:22 AM

Your correct John, this is a very debatable topic, I think what works best for each individual is the goal. As I said before I was doing the far over lean for the 1st 3/4 of my racing 'career' and noticed a recurring problem with realizing I was losing the rear tires traction after it had already stepped over a bit (though I was still able to recover it every time). I tried moving my head back closer to the bikes centerline and it seemed to help, but to be fair maybe it has more to do with me concentrating a little more on rear tire traction, I don't know? Either way it's something people can try for themselves if they are having a similar experience.