[xBhp Universal Thread]: Bending and LeaningThread

[MG]

Bending and Leaning Thread

Originally Posted by killer

A lot of people are getting the wrong idea about cornering, you dont want to scrape parts, thats not the fastest way around the corner. ref another post of mine http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/universa...1&postcount=18

leaning just for the sake of it is pointless except maybe to look cool, you will still be passed by the other guy whos using correct body position to keep the Bike upright and is on the gas harder through the corner than you are coz he has more contact patch on his tires as a result of keeping the Bike as upright as possible.

see these pics of mine on the CBZ. The footrests are still not touching the ground but the Bike is cornering at 70kmph+ (true speed). a rider who is used to just leaning the Bike


A lot of people are getting the wrong idea about cornering, you dont want to scrape parts, thats not the fastest way around the corner. ref another post of mine http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/universa...1&postcount=18

leaning just for the sake of it is pointless except maybe to look cool, you will still be passed by the other guy whos using correct body position to keep the Bike upright and is on the gas harder through the corner than you are coz he has more contact patch on his tires as a result of keeping the Bike as upright as possible.

see these pics of mine on the CBZ. The footrests are still not touching the ground but the Bike is cornering at 70kmph+ (true speed). a rider who is used to just leaning the Bike without using body position will not be able to carry that speed because he will be dragging parts and will have less contact patch available on his tires meaning he will have to go easy on the throttle





This will probably bring forth the question, how come the superbikes and motogp bikes are leaning like crazy through corners despite the rider hanging off the bike. The answer is, as your speed increases the degree of lean does too despite how much you try to keep the Bike upright. The bikes in motogp are carrying so much speed that they 'need' those lean angles to pull it off, thats why they have tires with profiles to match that requirement. The same goes for superbikes, they have the tire profiles that allow you to take advantage of that extra lean but you will still benefit from body positioning even on these bikes and it will yield better corner speeds, that is why even though the motogp bikes can lean like crazy the riders are still hanging off and using body position to keep the Bike as upright as they can for a given speed.

see this pic of mine on my R1 in the same corner, notice that i'm taking advantage of the extra lean the tires offer (leaning more than the CBZ) but i'm still keeping the Bike upright and not dragging the footpegs despite the fact that its very easy to do so. That way i have more contact patch and can accelerate harder through the corner. This is just one of the benefits of correct body positioning...others have been discussed in other threads.



And most importantly as i have always said, leave the hanging off and hard cornering for the track or worst case find a secluded safe spot like Bunny and gang seem to be doing.

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Here are some tips from Sport Bike Motorcycles & Custom Sport Bikes - Sportbike Accessories, Parts & Reviews at Sport Rider on the same stuff i just discussed

Source: http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/1...ding_position/

1 As motorcycles get lighter and lighter, your body mass and its position plays a more important role in the handling of your sportbike. We've discussed the proper riding position for the street previously ("Strategic Positioning," June '00), but it's worth a refresher. While it's not the coolest-looking arrangement, on the street your body should be centered on the seat, with your torso in line with the bike. Always keep your head tilted to match the horizon, and use your knees and abdominal muscles to put as little weight as possible on the clip-ons. Keeping your elbows bent and using your trunk muscles to support your torso will reduce your body's effect on the front suspension and steering.





2 When it comes to the racetrack, an exaggerated body position is necessary to keep the motorcycle more upright. This keeps hard parts off the ground, and puts more rubber on the road. Many street and track riders, especially those with a long dirtriding background, tend to keep their bodies upright, and push down on their bikes in the corners. For a given corner speed, a Bike ridden in this manner needs to be leaned over further, and cornering clearance and traction will suffer. While this may be comfortable, and some racers (Larry Pegram, for instance) seem to make it work, you'll most likely hear grinding noises and run out of tire without going very fast.


3 While hanging off is good, taken to extremes it too can cause problems. It does keep the motorcycle more upright with more rubber on the road, but there are other variables to consider. Hanging off too far lessens your control of the clip-ons, as your arms will be at an awkward angle; they must support your upper body in addition to steering the bike. Your outside foot will also barely rest on the footpeg, meaning you can't put any weight on it if needed. There is also the possibility of simply falling off if you hit a bump-don't laugh, it's happened. Racers who are truly on the edge and experienced enough to lessen those risks (for example, Eric Bostrom) can make these contortionist riding positions work, and take advantage of that last little bit of traction available.


4 The rest of us mere mortals are probably better off treading some middle ground between those two extremes. However far you get your butt off the side of the seat, make sure the rest of your body stays in line with the bike. This will allow you to take full advantage of the resultant decreased lean angle, but still keep you in control of the Bike through the footpegs and handlebars. Try to assume the position well before the corner so that you aren't turning and moving your body around at the same time. Remember to keep your head level with the horizon, your elbows bent and as little weight as possible on the handlebars. Be sure that you can easily make small inputs to the clip-ons and footpegs as needed. If you feel uncomfortable, experiment with a more or less extreme position, or try adjusting your clip-ons (or even the seat and footpegs, if possible) to a different position.


This article originally appeared in the October, 2003 issue of Sport Rider.

Hope things make sense now

[ken cool]

Damn! There were some fantastic posts by Killer on this one. I hope he gives them to us once more.

[inder.cool]

Hey MG...good that you brought this article back to life...!
But, all the links are not working...!!

^ Ken : and not to forget the tips provided by Adi i guess(i dont remeber his name exactly ...he lives in Melbourne....has been to tracks....)..!! i think you/MG must be remembering him....He owns a 06' or '07 R6...!!

[Aryan]

@MG: Nice..This thread has always been (and still is) one of my personal favourites! Thanks for bringing it back to life again...

[ken cool]

That is the moderator from Shillong

[Aryan]

Originally Posted by ken cool

That is the moderator from Shillong

Thanks for posting that picture!

I am still amazed how fast the P-220 can take a corner. Although this wasn't actually a corner (technically speaking, of course..), but still it is a stable machine ANYDAY (as compared to the "Classic"..!!)

[ken cool]

Originally Posted by Aryan

Thanks for posting that picture!

I am still amazed how fast the P-220 can take a corner. Although this wasn't actually a corner (technically speaking, of course..), but still it is a stable machine ANYDAY (as compared to the "Classic"..!!)

You are saying this, but my pics of you bending on the Classic are meaner and more bended. Can't post them coz they are fuzzy. But I will take your word for it coz YOU are a better bender anyday!

[Aryan]

Originally Posted by ken cool

You are saying this, but my pics of you bending on the Classic are meaner and more bended. Can't post them coz they are fuzzy. But I will take your word for it coz YOU are a better bender anyday!

I have (had!!) been riding a Classic since the past 6+ years. So, yes, I am more confident on the Classic than on the 'newer' motorbikes. But then, taking corners at 103 km/hr. is not something that a Classic can do.

If I try to 'attack' a corner at that speeds on a Classic, it'll just throw me off the bike. I need to FIGHT with it, even while cornering at 80+km/hr.!! It's like it just doesn't want to corner, and I make the Classic do it, forcefully!

The P-200 ain't that bad either..!! And seriously, I am NOT a better bender, although I would love to - absolutely LOVE to get that knee down..Perhaps, someday...

[ken cool]

Originally Posted by Aryan

I have (had!!) been riding a Classic since the past 6+ years. So, yes, I am more confident on the Classic than on the 'newer' motorbikes. But then, taking corners at 103 km/hr. is not something that a Classic can do.

If I try to 'attack' a corner at that speeds on a Classic, it'll just throw me off the bike. I need to FIGHT with it, even while cornering at 80+km/hr.!! It's like it just doesn't want to corner, and I make the Classic do it, forcefully!

Point taken.

[(Aside)Psst: I got new rubbers on the One!]

[inder.cool]

Originally Posted by inder.cool

^ Ken : and not to forget the tips provided by Adi i guess(i dont remeber his name exactly ...he lives in Melbourne....has been to tracks....)..!! i think you/MG must be remembering him....He owns a 06' or '07 R6...!!

Remembered his name.....Kunal Bakshi....!!
He was an absolute genious, gave so many tips on bending/cornering...!!