side to side shifting

[BUSAFETT]

After reading some riding improvement tips today, I decided to start moving my body over to the side of the bike I was turning in- different sources said it helped with maneuvering the bike.

However after implementing this on a twisty road, I felt myself jumping from side to side like some kinda wacko- I could only imagine what I looked like to the cagers behind me.

I guess my question is, do alot of you do this often? Or do you just move slightly from one side of the bike to the other? Although I felt the bike responded a little better in turns, I didn't really enjoy the ride as much doing this.

BF

 

[BA BUSA]

It does help in the twisties, stick with it and soon enough you won't even have to think about it

 

[GMbusa]

It's definitely more work to hang off in the corners but after a while it becomes second nature.

 

[BusaWhipped]

(BA BUSA @ Sep. 09 2007,18:41) It does help in the twisties, stick with it and soon enough you won't even have to think about it

+1. I'm always hanging off the bike in the turns unless I'm on the slab.

 

[BUSAFETT]

I also felt like when on the left side I couldn't reach the footbrake as easily, and felt like I was laying right over the tank- am I doing this right? Just seemed harder to hang onto the handlebars this way.

Can you tell I'm new at this?

 

[DaCol.]

In the twisties or on the track, Yeah, it helps ! But your not jogging from side to side, your on the balls of your feet (very little weight on the seat) and you SLIDE from side to side (THINK

straight line with your hips) . That's why the Pros are ALWAYS working out ! Nearly no time is actually in the seat. Now, on the street I very seldom do more than LOOK  

, lean and turn while putting weigh on the correct peg. Then your not tired at all and it will become natural  

 

[BusaWhipped]

(BUSAFETT @ Sep. 09 2007,18:49) I also felt like when on the left side I couldn't reach the footbrake as easily, and felt like I was laying right over the tank-  am I doing this right?  Just seemed harder to hang onto the handlebars this way.

Can you tell I'm new at this?  

Practice, practice, practice. You need to build up the muscles in the legs. The pic I posted above was taken after 325 miles of riding twisties that day. I ran out of endurance after less than 50 miles on the track though

 

[DaCol.]

(BUSAFETT @ Sep. 09 2007,16:49) I also felt like when on the left side I couldn't reach the footbrake as easily, and felt like I was laying right over the tank-  am I doing this right?  Just seemed harder to hang onto the handlebars this way.

Can you tell I'm new at this?  

Go to a Track day for instructions ! It sounds like your hanging toooooo far off the seat if you can't operate the brake (not that you would want to in that situation) ! There should not be any problem with the handlebars, again if so, it sounds like your trying to lean WAY tooooo far off the bike, and that could be dangerous  

 

[dolilind]

One you get it down you will hang with the Nibble bikes (600's and 1000's). Then just blast them away when you hit the straights.

Even mine stretched i can still run with the smaller bikes.

 

[BUSAFETT]

Before today I would simply plant my @$$ and lean in turns and that was it- however today, it really woke me up as to how WIDE this bike really is, when I realized how far over I could move in either direction.

I will keep at it and appreciate the input- I keep trying to become a better rider on this bike, and am simply amazed at how much I still have to learn.. Hopefully that's a GOOD thing!

BF

 

[BA BUSA]

(BUSAFETT @ Sep. 09 2007,16:49) I also felt like when on the left side I couldn't reach the footbrake as easily, and felt like I was laying right over the tank-  am I doing this right?  Just seemed harder to hang onto the handlebars this way.

Can you tell I'm new at this?  

You don't need the rear brake in the twisties...most of your speed should be scrubbed off BEFORE you
enter the turn

 

[rockadaous]

I jump around like an idiot, but I think it's fun lol

 

[BA BUSA]

"Trail Braking" doesn't mean you need to be on the rear brake

it means that you're braking into the corner, with the front brake and you need to roll out of the brakes as you roll into
the throttle

 

[Mike.P175]

Will get easier after time and practice

 

[kennym4]

That is SOOOO funny that you posted this !! I spent all day yesterday in the twisty's (well 3 hours) Trying to get the hang of this. To me my bike feels like it wants to stand up straight on me ? (come out of the lean) I never had this problem on smaller bikes ? Which most likely means I was doing it wrong !!

B FETT, If you ever want somebody to look like an idiot with you, hit me up !! I'm good at that at least.

 

[Powers739]

 

[kennym4]

(Powers739 @ Sep. 10 2007,06:10)

Right about there is where I stop thinking about the turn, and start thinking about the truck, or other bike to come around the turn, in my lane !! OH BOY, THIS IS GONNA HURT !!

 

[Revolution]

(BA BUSA @ Sep. 09 2007,20:41)

(BUSAFETT @ Sep. 09 2007,16:49) I also felt like when on the left side I couldn't reach the footbrake as easily, and felt like I was laying right over the tank-  am I doing this right?  Just seemed harder to hang onto the handlebars this way.

Can you tell I'm new at this?  

You don't need the rear brake in the twisties...most of your speed should be scrubbed off BEFORE you
enter the turn  

+1

 

[Revolution]

get a book called "Twist of the Wrist" [ volume II ]. it goes into detail about taking turns. it talks about contact points among other things, how your body should be in contact with the bike when leaning over. if you're leaning over on the left side of the bike your right foot/calf/knee ad maybe elbow should be contacting the right side of the bike for support. the book goes into detail on this and how the bike is affected by the lowest pivot point being the foot [lowest center of gravity]..."Twist of the Wrist II"

 

[SANDFLEA85]

there was a link posted up here a month or two ago,an instructional video on how to lean and "hang off"...basically it said to look and lean fwd of the tank as if your looking through a doorway b4 entering.personally on a road or hw if i need to hang off the bike then im going too fast.dont trust the road surface,its not a track...be careful out there bro.im looking into getting a track bike for this,i joined a track club last week,just looking to go and watch a bit and get the idea of a a track before i jump in with two feet as it doesnt look to be a cheap hobby,i dont mind the expense,just want to make sure its something i have the time to do on a rerular basis.