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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: boileaugs500f on April 22, 2006, 04:09:06 PM

Title: drag those knees
Post by: boileaugs500f on April 22, 2006, 04:09:06 PM
has anyone been able to drop their knee in a turn yet with their 500
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: scratch on April 22, 2006, 05:05:51 PM
I don't have kneepucks, and haven't been on a track with the GS, yet.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: vtlion on April 22, 2006, 05:09:23 PM
came close once long ago on a turn that tightened up unexpectedly.  Fortunately I didn't because I was wearing jeans at the time.  On the street the divey front end always made me too nervous to get my lean-on all the way.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: D-Day on April 22, 2006, 05:16:16 PM
Trying to drag a knee on public roads is not recommended.  It will end badlly.   Take it to the track.

(http://www.fototime.com/4649C1EE67C98C2/orig.jpg)
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 22, 2006, 05:40:06 PM
Don't even try doing it on the street. Leave it for the track:

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/kneedrag-800.jpg)
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: mike_mike on April 22, 2006, 07:14:13 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 22, 2006, 05:40:06 PM
Don't even try doing it on the street. Leave it for the track:

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/kneedrag-800.jpg)

oh man, that suit is baggy! You're going to snap those legs in half dragging them!   :icon_mrgreen:

6' something 150lb?
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 22, 2006, 07:22:34 PM
Quote from: mike_mike on April 22, 2006, 07:14:13 PM
oh man, that suit is baggy! You're going to snap those legs in half dragging them!   :icon_mrgreen:

6' something 150lb?

5'10 and 130 :(

That suit IS big on me. It's pretty much the smallest stuff I could find though. I need to get to the gym more often...
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Phaedrus on April 22, 2006, 07:25:19 PM
The Gym?? Pft, try Arby's  :icon_razz:
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: melloGS on April 22, 2006, 10:15:05 PM
130! better hit the buffet :laugh: ;)
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 22, 2006, 10:16:27 PM
Quote from: melloGS on April 22, 2006, 10:15:05 PM
130! better hit the buffet :laugh: ;)
Quote from: Phaedrus on April 22, 2006, 07:25:19 PM
The Gym?? Pft, try Arby's  :icon_razz:

I eat, it just doesn't do anything :(
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: ajgs500 on April 22, 2006, 10:18:01 PM
I feel your pain Alpha!!!!
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: cell_491 on April 22, 2006, 10:31:10 PM
i wish i had your problem alpha...im 6.0 265lbs...being big sucks
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: RVertigo on April 23, 2006, 02:14:34 AM
I've dragged toes a few times...  Does that count?   :icon_razz:
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: mike_mike on April 23, 2006, 09:16:10 AM
Quote from: RVertigo on April 23, 2006, 02:14:34 AM
I've dragged toes a few times...  Does that count?   :icon_razz:


ditto... thankfully i have proper boots... would hurt without them!
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: allmtrslut on April 23, 2006, 10:37:34 AM
i dragged knee at my local canyons with my gs daily, but the pegs are a pain in the ass and you have to push your body out alittle further. for me it wasnt really that hard. If you try to drag knee with your leg close to the bike like moto gp status, you will hit your pegs....which is why i wish i had rearsets. which is why iam just buying a new bike soon :) . Ya but i dont recommend you go out and do this stuff on the street, to many factors to worry about save it for the track. If you dont worry about the knee touching, it will on its own when its time...
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: aqxea2500 on April 23, 2006, 10:40:01 AM
HAHA you guys just drag your knees....I drag my elbows sometimes... :2guns:
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: allmtrslut on April 23, 2006, 02:24:30 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 22, 2006, 05:40:06 PM
Don't even try doing it on the street. Leave it for the track:

(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/kneedrag-800.jpg)


why is your hand on the brake?? and your right hand looks like its positioned wierd like way to close to your body, and that left hand alittle to strait for that angel. how fast where you going? maybe its just the pic...
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 23, 2006, 03:31:02 PM
Quote from: allmtrslut on April 23, 2006, 02:24:30 PM
why is your hand on the brake?? and your right hand looks like its positioned wierd like way to close to your body, and that left hand alittle to strait for that angel. how fast where you going? maybe its just the pic...

My hand is on the brake because I didn't know any better. It was my first track day and I was just used to doing that from riding street. My right hand always feels weird to me when I hang off to the right; I'm still working on figuring out why though.

I think I was going roughly 50 or 55 mph in the picture. Not sure because my speedo was taped over, but that's how fast some of the instructors said I was probably going.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: mike_mike on April 23, 2006, 04:13:34 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 23, 2006, 03:31:02 PM
Quote from: allmtrslut on April 23, 2006, 02:24:30 PM
why is your hand on the brake?? and your right hand looks like its positioned wierd like way to close to your body, and that left hand alittle to strait for that angel. how fast where you going? maybe its just the pic...

My hand is on the brake because I didn't know any better. It was my first track day and I was just used to doing that from riding street. My right hand always feels weird to me when I hang off to the right; I'm still working on figuring out why though.

I think I was going roughly 50 or 55 mph in the picture. Not sure because my speedo was taped over, but that's how fast some of the instructors said I was probably going.

Why do they make you tape the speedo? I can understand the lights, and stuff, but what does it matter if you know how fast you're going?
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 23, 2006, 04:31:58 PM
Quote from: mike_mike on April 23, 2006, 04:13:34 PM
Why do they make you tape the speedo? I can understand the lights, and stuff, but what does it matter if you know how fast you're going?

I taped the speedo on my own accord. If I was too busy looking to see how fast I was going, I wasn't going fast enough. All I needed was my tach.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: allmtrslut on April 24, 2006, 12:52:46 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 23, 2006, 04:31:58 PM
Quote from: mike_mike on April 23, 2006, 04:13:34 PM
Why do they make you tape the speedo? I can understand the lights, and stuff, but what does it matter if you know how fast you're going?

I taped the speedo on my own accord. If I was too busy looking to see how fast I was going, I wasn't going fast enough. All I needed was my tach.
that is all u need to do, if ur looking at the speedo ur going to slow...or going to crash.

about your right hand i think you need to relax abit, your shoulder and forarm and everything should be parrallel. 90 degree bend at teh elbow and when you drop your shoulder your hand will be in a good position...
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 24, 2006, 01:02:21 AM
Quote from: allmtrslut on April 24, 2006, 12:52:46 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on April 23, 2006, 04:31:58 PM
Quote from: mike_mike on April 23, 2006, 04:13:34 PM
Why do they make you tape the speedo? I can understand the lights, and stuff, but what does it matter if you know how fast you're going?

I taped the speedo on my own accord. If I was too busy looking to see how fast I was going, I wasn't going fast enough. All I needed was my tach.
that is all u need to do, if ur looking at the speedo ur going to slow...or going to crash.

about your right hand i think you need to relax abit, your shoulder and forarm and everything should be parrallel. 90 degree bend at teh elbow and when you drop your shoulder your hand will be in a good position...


Yeah. I did crash at the track, but it was a multitude of factors. My body position probably contributed though. I do need to relax though. As soon as I get over this sickness thing I'm going to go run some corners and see if I can get a better feel for the right hand side.  I dunno. I do drop my shoulder and my arm usually is bent 90 degrees at the elbow, but for some reason my hand is still at a weird angle.

It's because my chest is past the bars, but my hands are still on them, I think. Hanging off too far, maybe?
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: allmtrslut on April 25, 2006, 09:18:26 AM
your chest is past the bars?? hmmm i can def say i never did that, maybe you are hanging off ot much. try changing that and see if it helps, i wish i was around you if i saw you in person i might be able to help out more.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 25, 2006, 09:57:53 AM
Quote from: allmtrslut on April 25, 2006, 09:18:26 AM
your chest is past the bars?? hmmm i can def say i never did that, maybe you are hanging off ot much. try changing that and see if it helps, i wish i was around you if i saw you in person i might be able to help out more.

Well you can see how I'm leaving off to the right how my arm comes out, thus putting my wrist at a weird angle. That's my biggest problem right now, and I'm out of ideas on how to fix it.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: scratch on April 25, 2006, 10:48:36 AM
Are those the stock bars?  If so, they have a 7.5 inch sweep, that and because they're kinda high.  You now have SM2 bars, which are lower; what is the sweep on those?

I don't think there is anything grossly wrong with your position...just needs a little finesse.  I think less sweep in the bars will help.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 25, 2006, 11:01:51 AM
Quote from: scratch on April 25, 2006, 10:48:36 AM
Are those the stock bars?  If so, they have a 7.5 inch sweep, that and because they're kinda high.  You now have SM2 bars, which are lower; what is the sweep on those?

I don't think there is anything grossly wrong with your position...just needs a little finesse.  I think less sweep in the bars will help.

Even with the SM2s I feel it though, not as much, yeah, but I still feel that awkward position in my wrist. I think that's one of the reasons I like left turns more than I do right handers.

I couldn't find the sweep numbers on the SM2 bars, unfortunately.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: pantablo on April 25, 2006, 12:26:20 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/pantablo/MM3I5299.jpg)
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: scratch on April 25, 2006, 12:27:53 PM
Hmm...no fingers on the brake...that might be your answer, Alpha.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 25, 2006, 12:31:31 PM
Quote from: scratch on April 25, 2006, 12:27:53 PM
Hmm...no fingers on the brake...that might be your answer, Alpha.

No, 'cause even then my wrist is still at the weird angle.

I think I just need to go practice some more.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: allmtrslut on April 25, 2006, 12:51:48 PM
i think u are forcing the elbow in to much, let it hang out alitte more that should help. YOu should think less and just be one with your bike....feel it out fine your comfort. keep us posted.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: badguy on April 25, 2006, 04:17:05 PM
Alpha - I don't know jack about racing technique, or even riding technique yet for that matter, but from comparing the pictures it looks like you're hanging off too far.  Maybe your arms are just longer, but it doesn't look like Pablo's body is off as far as yours is.  It's like you're reaching back too far in order to keep your hand on the throttle, and bending your elbow too much in the process. 

I just hope one day I have the opportunity to get in a track day or three. 

Mike
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Dwn4whadever on April 25, 2006, 04:35:38 PM
Quote from: badguy on April 25, 2006, 04:17:05 PM
Alpha - I don't know jack about racing technique, or even riding technique yet for that matter, but from comparing the pictures it looks like you're hanging off too far.  Maybe your arms are just longer, but it doesn't look like Pablo's body is off as far as yours is.  It's like you're reaching back too far in order to keep your hand on the throttle, and bending your elbow too much in the process. 

I just hope one day I have the opportunity to get in a track day or three. 

Mike

Man you sound like me. I hoping i can get in some track time one day.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: Alphamazing on April 25, 2006, 05:24:48 PM
Quote from: badguy on April 25, 2006, 04:17:05 PM
Alpha - I don't know jack about racing technique, or even riding technique yet for that matter, but from comparing the pictures it looks like you're hanging off too far.  Maybe your arms are just longer, but it doesn't look like Pablo's body is off as far as yours is.  It's like you're reaching back too far in order to keep your hand on the throttle, and bending your elbow too much in the process. 

I just hope one day I have the opportunity to get in a track day or three. 

Mike

Well, Pablo's arms are probably a bit shorter than mine are (unless he's oddly disproportionate), but that's what I've been thinking my problem is too. From what people told me though, is that when you're hanging off correctly it feels like you're hanging off too far. Maybe my ability to climb around on the bike is actually hindering me right here.
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: oramac on April 25, 2006, 06:16:09 PM
In a book I'm reading titled "Total Control", the author suggests that your inside arm should do all the steering, and that you could rest your outside arm on your fuel tank (in other words, it should be totally relaxed).  He also says that hanging off is about body line.  In a turn, your body line (an imaginary line from your lower back up through your shoulders) should be inside the line of the bike.  The lines shouldn't intersect (others call this "crossed up") and the more you can bring the body line in (or hang off) the more upright your bike can be through a turn, therefore you have more traction, and you go faster.

Pablo's technique is correct (according to the book), but Alpha's is fine too.  Whatever works for individual riders and bikes.

:thumb:
Title: Re: drag those knees
Post by: pantablo on April 25, 2006, 10:52:00 PM
(http://www.powersportsphotography.com/BrowseEvents/0406FRAFontana/042206GalleryL2/e8568_std.jpg)