How to almost crash like the pros

Sorry if this is a little off topic but I can't view the video from work and this reminds me of something I've been meaning to ask. I noticed that Rossi and other racers often stick their inside leg out just prior to taking a corner. Do they do this in anticipation of a potential crash or is it for some other reason (blocking, aerodynamic drag, etc)?
 
AF4iK said:
Sorry if this is a little off topic but I can't view the video from work and this reminds me of something I've been meaning to ask. I noticed that Rossi and other racers often stick their inside leg out just prior to taking a corner. Do they do this in anticipation of a potential crash or is it for some other reason (blocking, aerodynamic drag, etc)?
Click to expand...

Rossi said in an interview I saw that it helps him set up the bike for a turn...Something to do with the weight transfer it gives, other times he says he doesnt know
http://motomatters.com/opinion/2009/07/22/the_truth_behind_the_rossi_leg_wave.html
 
Last edited:
JohnnyP636 said:
Rossi said in an interview I saw that it helps him set up the bike for a turn...Something to do with the weight transfer it gives, other times he says he doesnt know
http://motomatters.com/opinion/2009/07/22/the_truth_behind_the_rossi_leg_wave.html
Click to expand...

I think the best explanation from rossi was because it felt like he should. Also noticed they pretty much only do it while the back wheel is in the air or has no weight on it, his body acting like a sail probably helps to back the bike in.
 
Great VID. I was curious for the more experienced guys, How do you and or is their a way or art of getting out of a speed wobble?
 
professor said:
Great VID. I was curious for the more experienced guys, How do you and or is their a way or art of getting out of a speed wobble?
Click to expand...

Generally gas it. It gets the pressure off that oscillating front tire. Slamming the brakes just puts more pressure up front and increases the slapper.
I've been in a few on the MX bike, the first time it happened I freaked and tried to stop, and it just made the head shake worse. Ever since then I've gotten the pressure off the front and rode it out.
 
JohnnyP636 said:
Rossi said in an interview I saw that it helps him set up the bike for a turn...Something to do with the weight transfer it gives, other times he says he doesnt know
http://motomatters.com/opinion/2009/07/22/the_truth_behind_the_rossi_leg_wave.html
Click to expand...

FriendlyFoe said:
I think the best explanation from rossi was because it felt like he should. Also noticed they pretty much only do it while the back wheel is in the air or has no weight on it, his body acting like a sail probably helps to back the bike in.
Click to expand...

Interesting... now that I'm home I watched the video and you can see Bautista doing the Rossi-leg-wave at about 00:12 just before his bike starts to squirm.

That article was intriguing and entertaining too. It makes sense. The first comment under that article also makes an interesting point about having to re-position the left foot just before a left hander which produces a tendency to dangle the leg amidst all the wind and G forces at work. Thanks satisfying my curiosity!
 
AF4iK said:
Interesting... now that I'm home I watched the video and you can see Bautista doing the Rossi-leg-wave at about 00:12 just before his bike starts to squirm.
Click to expand...

They pretty much all do it now. If I recall (i may need to be corrected), Rossi started doing it a long time ago and people noticed how much faster he was through turns so they all started trying it and now it's pretty much a must.

Watch the first couple laps of any race, you'll see they all stick out their legs when a sharp turn comes up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom