Body position question

It's not that bad. Once you've put your trackbike on the rear stand enough times, it becomes second nature. I usually use a Baxley, but also carry my Pitbull front and rear stands as well and use them as needed. The only real pain is having to carry so many stands to the track.

 

I watched Ty's video on braking and it contradicts what Rossi says about locking your elbows. I read an article where Rossi says he locks his elbows under heavy braking to transfer more load onto the front tire and also take weight off of your triceps. I realize I am not in eithers league but just thought I would pass this on for discussion.

 

Thanks for the advice - I looked up the Baxley chock (http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Sportchock.html) and it looks like a nice product. The ability to ride-on / ride-off is what i'm looking for, since that'll save me from having to hop off and fumble with a rear stand while supporting the bike with one hand (or a buddy). Anything you don't like about it, or other options you'd recommend? WBW seemed to like this one, which seems similar: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock/steady-stand/

Maybe the cheapest possible way is to screw a basic HF wheel chock (http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-chock-97145.html) into 2 2x4s (for stability). On the other hand, the basic chocks don't "catch" the wheel like the baxley does, so i guess it won't be much of a deal if your bike slides back out of the chock and hits the ground.

 

+1 No cons from me about the bAxley.

 

Alright, I'm convinced. So who's got a spare that they'd like to sell?

 

You're going to like Streets! I've only been there once for a Code School, but I loved the banking on the back turn.

As pointed out in the vids, if you turn your hips toward the turn a bit, that will help swing the inside knee out more (something I'm still working on myself). Then you can get the upper body down more. That can make significant changes to your cornering. This is much easier at track speeds than in a parking lot.

Have Fun. I stopped riding the canyons last winter ( I've spent a lot of time in the LA area) for similar reasons.

 

Bah, I've been paying attention to this for the last 6 weeks or so since an instructor told me that my ass was in the wrong place and I think this whole "perfect" body positioning thing is a load of shit. If you listen to the guys in the second video they try to tell you where your ass should be and then you look at photos/video of Stoner, Pedrosa, Biaggi, DiSalvo and JD Beach from the last rounds and they have more than a full ass-cheek off their bikes (which is how I generally ride). You look at Edwards and Hayes and they rarely do the same. I'm of the opinion that this ass-should-be-[here]/optimal-hip-positioning-thing is put together so that people have something to say to "inferior" riders. There's more than one way to ride a bike.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2011/dmg/inf/tim06/t21.htm

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2011/dmg/inf/tim05/t06.htm

http://www.roadcarvin.com/sites/default/files/images/Dani_Pedrosa_9984.preview.JPG

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGyVlCAfz7OU5OVmKPrv1ujC-cHI9XpKExN9Di33xD_KUWSZvy

VS.

http://2wheeltuesday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/colin-edwards-300x215.jpg

http://image.sportrider.com/f/news/...a_pro_superbike_infineon_test_josh_hayes+.jpg

 

its pretty simple:

1 - Dont worry about dragging knee, that should be the last thing in your mind to achieve. You'll figure it out, esp. when your toe drags before your knee
2 - Work with a coach at the track.
3 - It's 1000% more important to be smooth and consistent.
4 - Dont worry about your bike, its a bike, you might fall, it does happen.
5 - Most importantly have some fun.

 

What most instructors are trying to get you to do is what is "optimal" There are a lot of riders who ride differently, but if you listen to what the instructor is saying you can't go wrong. Different things work for different people. Look at Toni Elias or Larry Pegram, they are all twisted up, but they are also very fast. Bottom line is get out there and work on the basics and everything else will fall in place.

 

Based on the one picture I'd say you are supporting yourself too much at the bars based on what appears to be stiff arms. Those bars are only there for machine inputs, be it braking, acceleration or initiationg a turn. You don't want to be holding on to them as a means of keeping you on the bike....that is what your core muscles and legs are for.

All of this however is just an observation from some guy sitting at a keyboard so take it with a grain of salt.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice!

Spending Memorial Day at the track was one of the most fun riding experiences I've ever had. The repetition of individual corners - and the ability to try different things & screw up without getting hit by oncoming traffic - made for an incredible learning experience. I'm still no good, mind you, but it helped me to identify some of the more flagrant things I need to work on. The little ninja was perfect for a beginner on that track, too (once I got rid of that side stand).

The only downside is that i might be permanently hooked

 

Looking good man glad to hear you made it out to the track

 

Welcome to the addiction :up:!

 

FYI a simple axle-stand under a footpeg is all it takes to hold the bike securely while you put it on the paddock stand. You may need to tape something to the top of it to get just the right angle for the bike (just to one side of vertical) but once you have it dialed it is cake.