Help me by critiquing my body position and technique.

[HorizonXP]

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That's a photo taken by US 129 Photos at the Dragon this past Friday. I wasn't pushing myself to 10/10, since it's the street and I didn't want to die. More like 6 or 7. Anyway, I was focusing on being smooth and being consistent, and I did my best with my body position.

Some things that I notice are that I'm not really hanging all that far off. I did slide my butt cheek over, but I guess it wasn't as far as I thought. I also thought my head was lower than it actually is. I've got a fair amount of weight on that inside/left leg, but again, it seems like I could push more. My outside/right leg is not 100% hooked onto the side of the tank.

Finally, I know that I'm still a bit tight on the bars. This is getting better, but I constantly have to yell at myself mid-corner to loosen up. My instinct when things get a bit dicey is still to tighten up. I do my best to maintain constant throttle, but I definitely find myself chopping it if I see something that could be in my way (i.e. oncoming traffic even in the opposite lane, and riders in front of me.). I rarely, if ever, chop it once I start rolling on the throttle though. These problems don't come up when I'm in a clean and clear corner, but do rear their ugly head in any corner that isn't clean and clear. It worries me because I'm going to lose the front end like that, although apparently, not at these lean angles!

Anyway, I'm always looking to improve, so any and all criticism is appreciated.

BTW, anyone who was at the Gap this past weekend, US 129 Photos is having a $1 digital download sale until June 30, for all photos taken during the Memorial Day Weekend. I bought all of mine, since it was 6 for the price of 1.

 

[TheDirty]

Ya, you're not hanging your top half off enough. I do the same thing if I'm not thinking about not doing it (a lot of negatives in there). I tend to pull my self closer to the bars rather than hang sideways. I find it helpful if I think about standing the bike up rather than getting myself over. It's easier for me to think about pushing the bike away from me than hanging off.

Your final suit looks good.

 

[Panici]

Looks like you already know where you need to improve.

If you get off the bike more, the bike will be more upright, and therefore more forgiving if you chop the throttle.

Concentrate on getting your head and shoulders low and off the bike. Pretend you're trying to bite your mirror.

In terms of handlebar grips, pretend you're clutching eggs, and you need to not break them. Obviously this is an exaggeration, but it'll help loosen up your hands.


For street riding, I always pretend that there's something coming around the corner, and therefore am less surprised when something actually does.

 

[Teal]

Your body position looks fine to me, considering the circumstances. What you're likely lacking the most is simply confidence (in the bike, in the tires, in yourself), which can be both difficult and dangerous to acquire on the street. Take it to the track!

 

[fastar1]

^^^Exactly

Don't expect your body position to always be hanging right off regardless of your speed/environment. For what you're doing, I would say that body position is about perfect. When you go faster (on the track) you will most likely ride in a more aggressive position without even thinking about it.

 

[Pocket]

from that I've gathered (take it with a grain of salt im no expert...)
- head should be hung near the mirror
-arm closest to the inside of the corner should be bent while outside is fully extended
-counter steer more
-and what teal said confidants
it looks like its more of a lean angle issue then body position

 

[Teal]

from that I've gathered (take it with a grain of salt im no expert...)
- head should be hung near the mirror
-arm closest to the inside of the corner should be bent while outside is fully extended
-counter steer more
-and what teal said confidants
it looks like its more of a lean angle issue then body position

By no means am I an expert either but I don't agree with fully extending your outside arm, or any arm for that matter. Both arms should be bent at the elbows, allowing for complete and comfortable access to the controls, without disrupting the controls should you hit a bump, for example.

 

[Pocket]

I meant like this lol

 

[mikbusa]

Position looks appropriate for the speed.

 

[jeero]

I meant like this lol

Most leather suits have pucks on the knees, now helmets need them too!

 

[a_rob]

Having spent a fair amount of time over the course of the trip riding behind you,
your technique and lines are pretty good.

The only critiques i have are that you sometimes seem to look a bit out of control coming into the corners, like you are coming in a bit too hot and trying to do a million things at once. Makes the bike look somewhat unsettled and gives the appearance you are riding a tad too close to the edge for the street.
Perhaps try breaking and sliding your butt over on the bike a little earlier so you are all set by the time you start your turn.
Go slower to go faster

Apart from that just make sure its clear before overtaking, i thought that red jeep was going to have a shiny white hood ornament
and watch out for that gravel!

 

[Baggsy]

Should the inside leg be out flapping in the breeze like that on the street?

 

[Rotten_Ronnie]

Do this again on the Cherohala Skyway, the corners are much longer so you can adjust your speed, and commit to the corner.

In fact, why not try this where there's an air fence and an ambulance standing by, perhaps with some professional instruction? Racer5, Turn2, FAST, RACE etc.

 

[Metastable]

Sheesh guys, you make it sound like the inquisition.... ride the way you want to ride.... leg out is fine. Whatever is comfortable.... plus for me, it depends what bike I'm riding.

OP - Looks pretty good man. Inside shoulder is dropped so you can see through the corner. You don't need to be kissing mirrors. In fact, a more upright body position actually shifts your centre of gravity, so that you get more ground clearance.... so you're good. You could get your butt off a bit more if you feel like it. The only thing you said that was a bit iffy IMO.... was weighting the inside peg. Yes you can step on the inside peg to help with turn-in..... but you should be weighting the outside peg from the apex onwards. Best thing might be to keep equal pressure on both pegs, since that's a pretty advanced riding technique.... there are better things to concentrate on while learning. FYI, if you weigh down the inside peg on a more powerful bike and you hammer the gas after the apex, you're asking for the rear end to step out.

 

[ZX600]

Body positioning is fine for the speed, Line through the turn not so much but it' hard to see in a pic...I am sure all the 15 year old experts in here will tell you what they have read

 

[HorizonXP]

Do this again on the Cherohala Skyway, the corners are much longer so you can adjust your speed, and commit to the corner.

In fact, why not try this where there's an air fence and an ambulance standing by, perhaps with some professional instruction? Racer5, Turn2, FAST, RACE etc.

I did try this on the Cherohala, and you're right, it was a bit easier to handle. That said, I wasn't pushing my hardest/fastest.

I did do Racer5 (all 3 stages), and I'm heading back for another race weekend. I totally agree, I'd rather do this on the track. But I figured working on my form wasn't a bad idea, I know I can always add speed when I'm on the track.

Sheesh guys, you make it sound like the inquisition.... ride the way you want to ride.... leg out is fine. Whatever is comfortable.... plus for me, it depends what bike I'm riding.

OP - Looks pretty good man. Inside shoulder is dropped so you can see through the corner. You don't need to be kissing mirrors. In fact, a more upright body position actually shifts your centre of gravity, so that you get more ground clearance.... so you're good. You could get your butt off a bit more if you feel like it. The only thing you said that was a bit iffy IMO.... was weighting the inside peg. Yes you can step on the inside peg to help with turn-in..... but you should be weighting the outside peg from the apex onwards. Best thing might be to keep equal pressure on both pegs, since that's a pretty advanced riding technique.... there are better things to concentrate on while learning. FYI, if you weigh down the inside peg on a more powerful bike and you hammer the gas after the apex, you're asking for the rear end to step out.

Body positioning is fine for the speed, Line through the turn not so much but it' hard to see in a pic...I am sure all the 15 year old experts in here will tell you what they have read

Having spent a fair amount of time over the course of the trip riding behind you,
your technique and lines are pretty good.

The only critiques i have are that you sometimes seem to look a bit out of control coming into the corners, like you are coming in a bit too hot and trying to do a million things at once. Makes the bike look somewhat unsettled and gives the appearance you are riding a tad too close to the edge for the street.
Perhaps try breaking and sliding your butt over on the bike a little earlier so you are all set by the time you start your turn.
Go slower to go faster

Apart from that just make sure its clear before overtaking, i thought that red jeep was going to have a shiny white hood ornament
and watch out for that gravel!

Thanks guys, appreciate all the help, advice and comment. A_rob, your observation was probably the best, just because you saw me ride the most!

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