Nice footwork!

As one should I am constantly working on my riding technique and of late had become a little dissapointed with where I was at. My bike still has it's original Michelin Sports which are not a bad tyre,but certainly not the best. They are quite predictable and have never let me down, the rear has the barest hint of a chicken strip or "hero line" as they call them over here! The front has loads!
Ok I am of the countersteering school with body shifting but yesterday I tried something which in truth was the first for me.

Let me outline the scene first...the usual err hum 'track' with baking temperatures...bike running at 75ºc and on the occasions I came up to traffic the full heat was hitting me big time.If I lifted my visor it was literally like placing my head right in an oven....horrid!

I wear a bandana when I ride as a sort of head band as with not many follicles these days I need something to mop up the perspiration. Each time I stopped for a breather and some liquid refreshment I could literally ring it out! No probs as laying it in the sun saw it bone dry again in minutes!

So what was this new revelation? Well I tried using conscious foot pressure on the footpeg which was on the inside of any bend. I found the amount of control and amount of drop in to turns with just the feet alone was impressive. I noticed the front end appeared somewhat lighter but not at all uncontrolled or dangerous.In fact initiating a turn with the feet almost created a more natural unconscious amount of counter steer which I liked.
The road I was using has a massive amount of bends and during a 49km run each way I really worked my legs with the new method. In fact I felt drained when I got home.
All in all the use of the legs made the whole riding technique feel more as one with the bike instead of the hands and body doing all of the work up top. I really liked it and noticed that certain sections I was able to negotiate much faster than I would normally.

As anyone else tried something new that really boosted their confidance?

I tried riding with one hand yesterday - I was bored so I thought I'd have a go - saw it in a magazine article about how quick Ron Haslam can get round Donnington with various handicaps - riding one handed being one of them.

It's blooming difficult and I'm not sure it has any value for improving your riding unless you only have one arm.

I mastered being able to take my hands off the bars, and jump up so im sat on the tank with my legs either side of it. It gave me loads of confidence as i'd proven to myself that i confidence in my own abilities, balance, and the ability to move around on the bike much more faster/harder than i had previously done.

Plus it looks cool if when you're coming down the high street and theres a bunch of boys (girls in most peoples case) hanging on a corner... just accelerate a bit, then in one swift smooth movement go from sitting on your seat, do a leap frog style movement and end up on the tank....

Next - feet over the handle bars - but only when i get my license back...

Initial reponses I would suggest,not in the same vein that the post was intended! Unless I am missing the point and should be looking at indulging in completely senseless riding activities that is!

Suppose its just different styles of riding Peter.

I knew all about footwork, countersteering etc before i got onto bikes, so it all came naturally to me... didnt "discover" them so to speak.

The things that i mastered all increased my confidence, no handed riding, standing up on the pegs, sitting on the tank, kneedown etc... they increased my confidence as i worked hard to acheive the results, when i cracked them, without crashing, i moved onto something more "advanced".

We're all different i guess.

getyerkneedown...Good point mate.

ive never put pressure on footpegs consciously (sp?) while on the road, but i gave it a go when doing some off roading and found it helped no end. i guess because the bike was so much lighter and agile, pushing ont he inside peg turned the bike a suprising amount! it definitly made me feel more comfortable and at one with the bike.

[Biker Biggles]

Peter Henry---I suppose us slightly older types have to work that bit harder before we can be genuine riding Gods but I'm sure we will get there in the end eh?

Well there are some on this site that will argue that pressure from your feet does nothing at all but I've found out different. There is no question that on a light bike firm foot pressure on the inside page makes a huge difference to the way the bike turns in and can really inspire confidence in showing just how quickly the bike can turn. Certainly an excellent technique IMO and one I highly recommend peeps try.


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Biggles....Yeah I guess with old bones and when you lie a little lower in the water than you used to hey?

Jonboy...it seems you have it sussed already sir!