[ally]

Hey everyone. I accidentally posted this in the pictures forum and couldn't figure out how to move it, so sorry if you've read this there. I want as much feedback as possible, and I know this forum is busier than the pictures forum, so please forgive the double post. Anyway, when shifting your weight in tight corners (like on the Dragon), are you actually sitting on the seat at all when the corners are so constant (ie: 318 curves in 11 miles on the Dragon), or do you basically keep more of your weight on the pegs than on the seat so that it's easier and quicker to shift from side to side? I've only been riding since March. I took my first trip to the mountains a couple of weeks ago. Here are a few pictures. I scraped pegs once (a total of twice since I started riding). I wasn't scraping on any of these pictures though I know I was close on the pic from the back. On most twisty roads, I shift my weight from peg to peg to keep the bike more vertical. I'm not comfortable with hanging off yet, but I do a good bit of weight shifting, and I'm hanging off more and more every time I practice, so I'll get there! However, on the Dragon, I didn't feel I had time to shift my weight at all in between the constant curves, so I basically rode and leaned WITH the bike. I know this eats up some of the reserve traction b/c the bike is less vertical than it would be if I were hanging off more. I wonder if it would be easier if I had more of my weight on the pegs than sitting with most of my weight on the seat? I'm just wondering if you all have any tips for constantly changing corners on how to shift weight/hang off when the road is constantly turning! Here are some pics from my trip. I'm open to critique and suggestions since I'm new and want to be the best, safest rider I can while still having a helluva lot of fun!

 

[teedubyaw]

Your ass is going to touch the seat, yes, but you shouldn't be putting weight on the seat. Weight should be going to the inside.

You are way too vertical with the bike in those pictures.

This video should be a good reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWBKmfKndI&feature=related (fast forward to 330)

 

[hus]

Deal's Gap can be challenging for sure but I agree with above post. I'm in more of a leaned over and knee out position when I ride. I know several guys that are more comfortable sitting more vertical. My only advice to that is don't take the bike to far over if you're sitting up straight. You have to adjust your riding given the tightness of the road (super tight twisties vs. long sweepers) but the position you attack those corners at on your bike should be about the same. Take a look at Keith Code's books http://www.atwistofthewrist.com/

 

[RayOSV]

Two pointers. "Kiss the mirror" and don't have your head over the double-yellow.

 

[Stick N Move]

Two pointers. "Kiss the mirror" and don't have your head over the double-yellow.

+1 good advice

 

[teedubyaw]

Two pointers. "Kiss the mirror" and don't have your head over the double-yellow.

...

And if someone takes that advice, they're going to be twisting their body and running with most of their weight still vertical to the bike.

 

[binx_19]

there is a little squared edge of the seat on both sides, have the lined up with your butt crack.

 

[binx_19]

...

And if someone takes that advice, they're going to be twisting their body and running with most of their weight still vertical to the bike.

have you ever tried just moving your upper body? in those pictures just moving the head and shoulders to the inside of the corner will help with ground clearance.

 

[teedubyaw]

have you ever tried just moving your upper body? in those pictures just moving the head and shoulders to the inside of the corner will help with ground clearance.

I'm well aware.

Does that make it proper?

 

[binx_19]

I'm well aware.

Does that make it proper?

is hanging off proper?

 

[teedubyaw]

is hanging off proper?

It's only proper if you, the godlike racer does it.

 

[binx_19]

It's only proper if you, the godlike racer does it.

no not god like here, just pointing out some facts here, at the level that person is riding at just slight weight movement to the inside will help, if you look at the picture, you can tell the rider is still almost perpendicular to the ground while the bike is leaned over, that is dangerous, if the rider can just focus on putting their head close to the mirror, that helps straighten the bike up and therefore more meat of the tire if there is an emergency.

 

[teedubyaw]

no not god like here, just pointing out some facts here, at the level that person is riding at just slight weight movement to the inside will help, if you look at the picture, you can tell the rider is still almost perpendicular to the ground while the bike is leaned over, that is dangerous, if the rider can just focus on putting their head close to the mirror, that helps straighten the bike up and therefore more meat of the tire if there is an emergency.

And they could still weight the inside with their lower body. It's better to move over in your seat (while still sitting in the seat) than staying vertical in it.

You throw yourself off balance when you twist your body (such as only moving your upper body). When you do that, you loose the ability to fully transfer the weight of your lower body.

 

[stamford]

Anyway, when shifting your weight in tight corners (like on the Dragon), are you actually sitting on the seat at all when the corners are so constant (ie: 318 curves in 11 miles on the Dragon), or do you basically keep more of your weight on the pegs than on the seat so that it's easier and quicker to shift from side to side?

If your using the dragon as your road example during the faster paced rythem sections my weight was on both feet as I was transitioning then once I got set most of my weight was then supported to my outer leg.

on the Dragon, I didn't feel I had time to shift my weight at all in between the constant curves

Then dont. That is definitely not the road to push your limits. Ride the road at a pace your comfortable with and if that means sitting on the bike like how you were thats what you gotta do. As you gain experience you'll have less and less of a problem transitioning body position at the same pace you transition the motorcycle.

I'm just wondering if you all have any tips for constantly changing corners on how to shift weight/hang off when the road is constantly turning!

Weight on pegs, chest low and look through the corner. And late apexing helps a ton on that road, not to mention it is WAY safer. Even at full lean you should avoid any part of you or god forbid the bike to hang over double yellow.



Hope that helps. And after looking at the pics I would suggest learn proper lane positioning before body positioning.

 

[wavex]

1) you need better gear

2) scrapping pegs is actually NOT good (you seem to be talking about it like it's an achievement). The point of shifting your weight and body to the inside of the turn is specifically to keep the bike as up-right as possible to avoid dragging parts on the ground.

2) if you don't have time to shift your weight/ass properly between turns, then slow down!

3) your upper body is as important as your lower body, so as mentioned above, try to consciously push your shoulders and your head towards where you want to go. The lower your upper body, the better as well. Shifting weight in technical corners like that requires quite a lot of energy and technique, so take your time...

4) you may want to read books like "Twist the Wrist" or "Sport Riding Techniques"... these will give you more in depth responses to all your questions.

Good luck.

 

[ally]

Thank you all for the helpful tips. I have read both Proficient Motorcycling and Total Control. I have Twist of the Wrist on order from Amazon already, so that's my next read.
I have since bought leather gear which I will definitely wear on my next trip! I couldn't believe how many people I saw on this road in short sleeves and jeans (or hell, a couple of them in SHORTS!! OMG!)
I wasn't "bragging" about scraping...only saying that I've taken my bike to its limit point twice since I've been riding, and I wasn't at the limit in any of the pics I posted, though I know the one from the rear looks that way. That pic from the rear is on a slight camber, and the camera angle is weird and zoomed in a lot, so I think it gives a pretty skewed view of my angle of lean. I ALWAYS make a conscious effort to not go over the DY in any circumstance except when passing. In the case of my pic from the back, I was using every inch of the lane to track more of a straight line through the curve, and I was much closer to the DY b/c I had such clear, long sight distance, as you can see. But it's always good to be reminded of things like that. In the thousands of corners I took on this trip, never once did I or my bike cross the DY other than to pass. I like my head too much to take that risk.
I'll work on trying to have more weight on the pegs rather than the seat in really tight, fast curves. I really do well in shifting my weight on other twisties, like on the Cherohala Skyway, for example (OMG, have you guys ever ridden that road? Orgasm on wheels, seriously!) I feel pretty good at the weight shift when the corners aren't back to back to back to back. I'll slow down a bit next time at Deal's Gap and work more on my technique. No more speed is needed for me at this point. I'm going back in mid-October. Hopefully then I'll have some pictures posted with better form. It's my goal to one day have a track day and learn to drag a knee there, but dragging a knee or leaning too far off is not an option for me on a public road. However, leaning enough to keep a good amount of traction in reserve for emergencies so that the bike is more vertical is a definite goal of mine. Thanks again! The tips are awesome! ;-)

 

[inpayne]

Get atleast half your ass off the seat. Put your heel on the outside, the inside foot on the balls/toes. And look through the turn. And exaggerate putting your upper body down. Even if you feel your upper body is low, it really probably isn't.

Just a pic of me for refrence. You will notice the things I said above. And I like looking at that picture

 

[binx_19]

dont let this happen:

 

[BeeGee]

*letting my inner asshole run amuk*


Occupation: teacer

 

[rockscaler]

turn later to stay closer to the white line so someone running into your lane does not cause a head-on.

its always nice to see a female enjoy the twisties, I was at the dragon twice in the past year and there was lots of girls with very nice bikes, some of them race reps but seeing them go through the turns was always dissapointing or scary. You look like you have really learned your bike and could only improve by learning more advanced techniques.