Leaning versus Knee Down

[shmike]

Originally Posted by derf

I noticed a very similar thing today too. I went riding with my brother today, he has been "learning" from some folks he met at school. They have his upper body leaned way over while his ass doesn't move at all, he sort of bends over the top of his bike. Now I also know that my leaning position sucks, I slide my ass over to the side that I'm turning and my upper body only moves a few inches. Last time I did a track day the biggest piece of advice was to move my upper body over more (there were many more but I wont talk about them here).


My body position (also not actually me)

Mick Doohan is on of the exceptions.

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

Look at pics of Ben Spies. Except for his famous "Elbowz", he has near perfect body position.

[derf]

Originally Posted by shmike

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

[Yamerhaw]

Originally Posted by derf

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

but this pic is showing a rider with BOTH his lower and upper body off the bike, like shmike was saying

Originally Posted by shmike

Mick Doohan is on of the exceptions.

The textbook body position is to lead with the upper body, like in the first shot.

Look at pics of Ben Spies. Except for his famous "Elbowz", he has near perfect body position.

agreed

[derf]

Originally Posted by Yamerhaw

but this pic is showing a rider with BOTH his lower and upper body off the bike, like shmike was saying

The body position I was trying to describe for my bro was with his ass centered on the seat and his upper body hanging off

[The Awesome]

There is no ideal body position. The bottom line is you do what gets results in any given situation. There is no single magic pose that's the "right" way to ride a bike. The fact that guys like Doohan and Bayliss do what they do should end any debating.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by The Awesome

There is no ideal body position. The bottom line is you do what gets results in any given situation. There is no single magic pose that's the "right" way to ride a bike. The fact that guys like Doohan and Bayliss do what they do should end any debating.

Don't forget Mamola,yeesh talk about crazy body positioning.

[DLIT]

Originally Posted by The Awesome

There is no ideal body position. The bottom line is you do what gets results in any given situation. There is no single magic pose that's the "right" way to ride a bike. The fact that guys like Doohan and Bayliss do what they do should end any debating.

Exactly. Learn the fundamentals/basics and adjust. I use my current style because I like where I am at because I can feel negative feedback and adjust. I've tried "kissing" my mirrors but that made me feel real vulnerable, in case I was to feel a tire slip or something. I move my upper and lower off but I don't put my head way down. I read many words on form and I've tried them all, but I just feel more comfortable with my own.

[askmrjesus]

Originally Posted by The Awesome

There is no ideal body position. The bottom line is you do what gets results in any given situation. There is no single magic pose that's the "right" way to ride a bike. The fact that guys like Doohan and Bayliss do what they do should end any debating.

Truth.

Exhibit A:

Mike "The Bike" Hailwood- One of the faster motherfuckers of all time. Known for not leaning much, or dragging a knee.



JC

[t-homo]

I think the "right" body position varies a lot from person to person, however there are definitely more wrong positions than right ones.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by derf

I think I may have to dissagree with you, I have been tought that the ideal body position is to shift your weight to the side while keeping your spine in line with the centerline of the bike

Then we agree.

If you "shift" your weight with your hips, you'll end up crossed up, a la Doohan. If you lead with your head, it will pull your upper body inline with your pelvis when you shift.

Look at how Spies leads with his head and upper body, almost pointing his body like a spear:




While not perfectly straight he is pretty damn close to being in line with the bike: