[leghumpin]

I've been riding my F4I for about 5 months now and have gotten decent in the twisities. I have managed to scrub off all of hte chicken strip on rear and have maybe 1/16th left on the front(if that even means anything) I'm curious about the riding position on the f4I though. For the first time I rode with someone better than me, and he was on his 636. He told me that i wasn't hanging off enough, but that I still looked real good, but to hang off some more, he suggested moving my ass off the seat more and putting my chest on the tank. So I tried it, and yes I didn't have to lean the bike over as much, but I really wan't going much faster. I also didn't feel as in control of the bike, when my arms were in that position(I have long arms) it felt as if i didn't have much control. No I know that you are supposed to lean a bike through the turn, not steer it but still.

I am wondering if this is due to the clip-ons being on top of the triple tree, instead of under it like most sportbikes, also the seating and pegs are way lower. So I am wondering how most racers position themselves on the F4I? any pics on the track?

 

[leghumpin]

hmm, second page already?

 

[007SHOWSTOPPER]

I think maybe that dude just 'got in your head'.....I'll tell ya one thing....I'm looking to get me an F4i as my next bike...because my current bike's seating position is killing my lower back...buddys got an F4i....it doesn't bother my back.

 

[hondajunkie]

Nothing wrong with hanging more off the bike.It all depends on the type of corner, speed, tire grip, etc. You just have to try different positions and see how it feels. One of the nice things about the F4i is that you have alot of room to move around on the bike. Go down your favorite road and try hanging off a little more, maybe lean towards the FRONT of the bike while hanging off. You'l be surprised how different and more feel you get from the front end.
These are the only pics I could find, sorry they aren,t that good. Taken at turn 1 @ Gingerman Raceway in Michigan.

 

[RayOSV]

What problem are you trying to solve? Hanging off will allow you to decrease lean angle. It will take some practice to get comfortable with new riding positions. It can certainly be done on your bike, but you'll have to determine where to position your body parts given your bike and your "dimensions". If you don't want to hang off, don't worry about it. Many feel that hanging off on the street is being too aggressive. Save it for the track?

 

[ZxHunteR]

There is nothing you can really do. Its a more upright bike.

 

[007SHOWSTOPPER]

There is nothing you can really do. Its a more upright bike.

Well...true...but wasn't say Freddy Spencers or Kenny Lawsons bikes...of 20 years ago...even more upright than todays F4i?

 

[leghumpin]

We rode again today, and let me tell you, I found a comfortable position to hang off more, and I was ripping it up, probably going way faster than what was safe. Fastest I have ever riden. I didn't hit my knee, but I wasn't really trying. Whats funny is that before when barely hanging off, I could lean the bike to the point where I was using almost all of my front and rear tire, now I am going much faster and also not using as much of my tire.

 

[Truck]

Aftermarket rearsets made an incredible difference on my bike. I have PP tuning rearsets on my F4i from www.speedwerks.com, awesome sets, I really like them!

 

[MikeyB09]

In a right turn for example I put the heal of my toes (if thats what it's called) of my right foot on the footpeg and press hard on the end of the peg with my left foot at maybe a 35 degree angle. I get my butt completely off the seat and let my left thigh rest on the seat and put my weight on the outside of my left thigh. I also lay on the tank while poiting my shoulders and head down.

Like you said, hanging off the bike lets you go faster with less lean angle. So hang off and lean like you were before you starting hanging off and you will go A LOT faster. Be careful though, be aware of the risk of going fast on the street and be ready to accept the consiquences.

 

[climb21cj]

What problem are you trying to solve? Hanging off will allow you to decrease lean angle. It will take some practice to get comfortable with new riding positions. It can certainly be done on your bike, but you'll have to determine where to position your body parts given your bike and your "dimensions". If you don't want to hang off, don't worry about it. Many feel that hanging off on the street is being too aggressive. Save it for the track?

I dont have much experience hanging off the bike, but i agree that on the street it is unnecessary. If you have to make an evasive manuver for whatever reason, I would think being solid on the bike would allow for a better reaction.

 

[MikeyB09]

I dont have much experience hanging off the bike, but i agree that on the street it is unnecessary. If you have to make an evasive manuver for whatever reason, I would think being solid on the bike would allow for a better reaction.

That's halfway true. For me, it doesn't feel like I'm taking a corner fast unless I'm hanging off at least a little. Anyway, getting off the bike allows less of a lean angle which is actually safer as long as you aren't close to the limit. When you aren't hanging off and are at or near the lean angle limit, it's a good idea to start to hang off and stand the bike up a bit so you have more rubber on the ground.

IMO if you want to go somewhat fast on the street, it's a good idea to hang off rather than be in a full lean while fully on the bike.

I think hanging off the bike is perfectly safe on the street. Things only become dangerous when you are at or beyond your limits or in an unknown territory.

 

[RayOSV]

IMO if you want to go somewhat fast on the street, it's a good idea to hang off rather than be in a full lean while fully on the bike.

I think hanging off the bike is perfectly safe on the street. Things only become dangerous when you are at or beyond your limits or in an unknown territory.

The only problem is that if you have to hang off to reduce lean, you're likely going too fast to be safe on the street. What happens if there's gravel or an RV making a U-turn around that corner just beyond your ability to see? It's not so much "can you take this turn at this speed" as "is the road clear at this speed". Even if it was 10 minutes ago, it may not be now. That's what is so great about the track. The corner workers are out there with flags if the track isn't clear.

 

[MikeyB09]

The only problem is that if you have to hang off to reduce lean, you're likely going too fast to be safe on the street. What happens if there's gravel or an RV making a U-turn around that corner just beyond your ability to see? It's not so much "can you take this turn at this speed" as "is the road clear at this speed". Even if it was 10 minutes ago, it may not be now. That's what is so great about the track. The corner workers are out there with flags if the track isn't clear.

Well you're supposed to be looking for gravel and if you can't adjust your line while cornering, you're going too fast. If an RV comes in front of you, you are screwed regardless of how fast your going through the corner. This just ties into the danger of riding on the street. Using your logic, it's not acceptable to ride on street at all.

The track is great but if you're worried about the risks of riding on the street, don't do it.

 

[Bomb300]

1. Forget the "chicken strips" theory. They mean absolutely nothing and IMO, are nothing more than a :squid measurement.

2. You can only go so fast on the street and IMO, if you need to shift your ass off the seat to turn, you are going too fast for the street. Mind you this is just my opinion.

 

[Kaiser Soze]

So bomb300, how big are your chicken strips?

 

[Moon]

I've been riding my F4I for about 5 months now and have gotten decent in the twisities. I have managed to scrub off all of hte chicken strip on rear and have maybe 1/16th left on the front(if that even means anything) I'm curious about the riding position on the f4I though. For the first time I rode with someone better than me, and he was on his 636. He told me that i wasn't hanging off enough, but that I still looked real good, but to hang off some more, he suggested moving my ass off the seat more and putting my chest on the tank. So I tried it, and yes I didn't have to lean the bike over as much, but I really wan't going much faster. I also didn't feel as in control of the bike, when my arms were in that position(I have long arms) it felt as if i didn't have much control. No I know that you are supposed to lean a bike through the turn, not steer it but still.

I am wondering if this is due to the clip-ons being on top of the triple tree, instead of under it like most sportbikes, also the seating and pegs are way lower. So I am wondering how most racers position themselves on the F4I? any pics on the track?

If you are comfortable with your skill development, don't worry about hanging off. When/IF you start riding competitavely on the track it might be a skill needed.

There is always going to be another rider who is or THINKS they are a better rider.

Ride your own ride...Riding enjoyment, skill and ability is largely a state of mind.....

 

[RayOSV]

Well you're supposed to be looking for gravel and if you can't adjust your line while cornering, you're going too fast. If an RV comes in front of you, you are screwed regardless of how fast your going through the corner. This just ties into the danger of riding on the street. Using your logic, it's not acceptable to ride on street at all.

The track is great but if you're worried about the risks of riding on the street, don't do it.

Yes, if you can't adjust your line mid-corner, you're going too fast for the street. That's my point. If you're hanging off, line adjustments and avoiding surprise obstacles are much harder IMO. But maybe it's just me.

 

[MikeyB09]

Yes, if you can't adjust your line mid-corner, you're going too fast for the street. That's my point. If you're hanging off, line adjustments and avoiding surprise obstacles are much harder IMO. But maybe it's just me.

I think it's just as easy and possibly easier to adjust my line in a corner when hanging off.