Leaning versus Knee Down

[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:

[Amber Lamps]

The other thing is pictures lie... the pic with Hayden,the bike is sideways with the tire spinning,you're not going to be in a "perfect body position" at this point. The other pics could be catching the rider in different transition positions as he is shifting his weight into or out of a corner. Not to mention,that in a snapshot you as the viewer are unaware of the upcoming situation,perhaps the rider is in a chicane and can't fully commit his body to the first corner. The only time you will even approach a text book body stance is in a "smooth" or text book corner situation.