Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

Is that the case for short-ar**es (like moi) too? :)

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

You've got to know about counter steering from years riding on the road?!

My advice would be to first make sure there's nothing seriously ********ed with the suspension, like no oil in it, or oil with less viscosity than cheap lager... this will sap confidence.

Then go follow Carls advice and get your knee down, this will let you know where the ground is... which will help.


Then again I don't race, so feel free to ignore.

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

That is pure and simple because you aren't sticking it out[1].

When I did the Ron Haslam Race school they had a bike on stands where they both demonstrated how to 'hang off' and then got you to do the same with them telling you where you were going wrong.

If you are going to the bike show it might be useful to get someone who knows how to get their knee down to show you how and to practice on the bikes there, you can hang off to your hearts content and they're not going to fall over!

Druid

[1] Based purely on that one picture.

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

You're probably right! I have tried sticking it out though (albeit not in that picture) but obviously I'm not doing that enough...

I had someone try and show me on his bike (on sidestand) at the Ixie trackday (when he was waiting for the suspension setup guy). Handy but then I lost perspective on how far off the seat I needed to be once I got moving on the track! Maybe what would help is trying that on a bike that's leant over (but still held up) so I can see what it's like when I'm near the ground?!

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

Tried that, it still feels different to on track as you have significant G force sticking you to the seat.

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

This has probs been said already but book a trackday and forget how you ride on the road.
I remeber how strange it felt to get your head down below the mirrors, I still shift off the seat on road but I don't feel confident with the road surface to carry that much speed round the corners.
You only hang off to keep the bike from tipping too far.
The last time I had my knee down was 2003 at brands and a lot has changed since then.
but I know it's wrong to keep you head n shoulders over the tank as they need to be over as much as your ass is off the seat.

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

It seems a massive amount the first time, basically keep sticking it out further until it touches!

A few years ago they had one (a buell IIRC) sat at an angle like that at the bike show.

The amount isn't as important as it'll feel totally different when you're on track, with a stationary bike (even one at an angle) hanging off it and you feel like you're going to fall off, you don't get that feeling round a bend.

If you haven't managed it by then (and you come along again) come find me[0] at ixion@cadwell2011[1] and we'll get you sorted.

Druid

[0] My SV is a little obvious (and loud). ;-)
[1]I'm not missing it next year. :-)

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

lol Ok, deal :) Ta ;)

Jo

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

Getting knee down doesnt help go any faster really but may happen during certain corners when positioning and balancing the bike - even saving it as some have noted. You wanna develop by thinking about lines and body position etc apart from more track time, observation, reading up and talking with other riders, a visit to the California Race schools can help think about rider development. It takes time. So far after 100+ track days, three years racing and a few race wins i am ready for level 3 & 4 California superbike and will probably/hopefully get quicker.........Luthi did............eventually!

Re: Just How Do You get your knee down
 

Totally agree, it is however something that people get hung up over, learn to do it and get it out of your system then you can get on with being faster.

What *might* make you faster is the amount of hanging off required to get your knee down, suddenly to get the same amount of bike lean your going (as an made up example) 5mph faster. Where that then makes you safer is that at your previous pace you don't need to lean as much and less chance of falling off.

Druid