Body position question

I was hoping for some help with body positioning in preparation for my first trackday later this month (Motoyard @ Streets of Willow).

I'm concerned that even though I'm positioned well inside of the bike's centerline, I'm always in danger of dragging hard parts long before my knee touches the ground. I can't seem to find a position that lets me hang off more while still having my outside leg 'locked into' the tank to feel stable. I think the side stand placement isn't helping (some Ninja Cup rules require that the mount be ground off), but there are plenty of videos showing riders with loads of cornering clearance on stock 250s (here's one example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDwpzb1n05Y). Getting my knee down isn't the real goal - I mostly want to make sure my technique is correct and I'm not dragging hard parts at the track.

Any thoughts? Should I be focused on getting my knee nearly perpendicular to the bike (which opens my hips to the turn), or instead focus on getting low and to the inside (seems to use my weight better to keep the bike upright, but also closes my hips somewhat)?


For reference, I've been riding for 4 years and am currently using a 2009 Ninja 250r.

Thanks a lot,
Dan

 

Ummm...you're doing that in a parking lot?

Remove the stands. They MUST be removed for WERA tech anyhow. That's why we have to screw with stands all the time.

 

Practice your shit on the track, not the street.

 

Ask for help from one of the CR's at the track..

 

The picture was taken while practicing in a closed parking lot away from the street. The perspective (camera at ground level) just makes it look like road is nearby.

 

Your form looks good just remove that stand because from the picture it will hit,

 

I get what you're saying with the closed lot practice, but remove your stand, and get on a track. Besides, how will you know what works on the track, without being...

on the track. And, dragging your knee is more of a symptom of speed and correct body postioning, than a benchmark.

 

a lot of people don't like to read or just don't know how to.....
anyway, BP looks like a good start but you are right to be concerned about the kickstand.
first trackday means you will probably be in a classroom along with track time. don't be afraid to ask questions. most people at the track are nice and willing to help out.

Good Luck

 

BTW, SOW is a pretty good track for the first time trackday..been there many, many times..just relax, don't try to over do it, and have fun..:up:

 

That actually looks like a decent body position in the pic IMHO.

And yes, that side stand needs to be removed!

 

You should try Ty Howard vids. You will learn a lot from this guy. :up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWBKmfKndI

 

Nice vids... He mentioned weighting the inside peg to help you continue through the arc. When would you weight the outside peg? I usually use the pegs both inside and out to make corner corrections, but have always pushed on the outside peg and highside knee. Is there a correct way?

Thanks,

Brett

 

Positions are kind of unique to each person IMO. There is a "default" way to ride but I have seen very different techniques to how much you lean off the bike and this is from watching different riders race.

The videos someone posted are actually really good.

 

I just have to say...wow they explain this really well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxWBKmfKndI

 

Well, you're across the street from the library.....why not take a book out on it before you head home.

 

Yeah dude that stand is pretty low. Like others have said once you get on track and get up to speed it will be easier to hang off the bike. Your form looks good, time to get out there to the track and enjoy yourself :up:

 

Body position is not a factual concearn. I have blown by guys that were nearly dragging their elbows and I hav ebeen passed by guys that were nearly upright. Your body position needs to fit you. If it feels good and your turning good times....do it.

 

Try this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyQsPgbgKbI&feature=related

 

Books

I feel like I'm constantly reading moto books: Keith Code (1&2), David Hough, Lee Parks, Nick Ientach (sp?), Pridmore, etc. Really liked all, except I didn't think Pridmore's had anything that wasn't in the others (except some great pictures). Haven't read KR's book because I can't find a copy for less than a hundred bucks.

Any others you guys recommend?

 

Thanks a lot for all the replies, and especially for the videos. They certainly settled the hip question for me.

Also - seems pretty clear that the side stand has to go. I'm happy to take off the stand arm, but I need to leave the mount in order to be able to use the bike around town during the week. For you guys with dedicated track bikes - isn't it a huge pain not to have a side stand? I have spools and a rear stand, but I can't imagine that being my only option.

Regarding the track day, I couldnt be more excited. I recently decided to stop riding in the canyons because I found there were too many risks that I couldn't control (debris, kids on gsxrs, etc.). Being on a track should take those things out of the equation and let me just think about riding, which is all I wanted in the first place. Will any of you guys be there (SOW) on memorial day?