Watched the Spanish MotoGP2 and MotoGP on the SPEED channel yesterday. During the MotoGP, several riders hung their left leg way off the peg while braking heavily into a left turn. I hadn't seen this before and was curious why they do it.
The question comes up all the time, and I've never heard an answer that pleases me, other than 'because Rossi does it.'
Quote from: burning1 on July 06, 2010, 12:01:02 PM
The question comes up all the time, and I've never heard an answer that pleases me, other than 'because Rossi does it.'
Well that means there is a good enough reason :D
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270076
Please update your thread title 'question' is rather ambiguous.
I read an article on this a while ago. It didn't really offer an exact answer. But the most logical conclusion is that the 800cc machines have a higher centre of gravity then the 990cc bikes. Dangling the foot lowers the centre of gravity and lessens rear wheel lift going into heavy straight line braking areas.
Does anyone have a picture of what's going on so I know what I'm missing? I've never seen this, but I don't watch much racing either. Does he stick his right knee out when he's leaning left, or is it his entire leg and foot?
Found on link to thread on BARF
(http://www.mcnews.com.au/MotorcycleRacing2008/MotoGP/17_Sepang/Gallery_A/images/Pedrosa_08GP17_3377_AN.jpg)
Simple physics... more drag by hanging more of your body off the bike.
Having spoken to a number of racers and race instructors about this subject... Again, there's no conclusive answer as to why Rossi does it.
I've heard one answer that sounded believable, but it's something that would only apply to a rider like Rossi.
Dirt trackers take there legs off like that, Maybe its habitual
It's a different technique for the dirt-trackers and motard riders. They actually put their foot on the ground.
maybe his balls get cramped, oh yeah, I went there.
Quote from: black and silver twin on July 28, 2010, 06:23:28 PM
maybe his balls get cramped, oh yeah, I went there.
I was thinking balls of his feet, until you said you went there!
I keep forgetting to try this just to see what it feels like. :dunno_black:
My friend who is brand new to riding thought I was doing something similar last week when we went out riding, until I explained to him that I was pointing to a giant pothole with my foot so he didn't hit it.
I couldn't believe how quick this technique caught on after rossi started doing it. It looks ridiculous and Rossi doesn't even know why he does it.
just to ask, do they hang their legs off during heavy braking into ANY turn? or just a left turn?
Glad I checked this board this morning. I'm going for a ride this morning and now that I remember I'm gonna try this.
So did it feel any different?
I actually tried it on a few freeway ramps this weekend (because of this thread making me curious) and it really felt weird like an extra distraction. But it did let me know exactly how far I was leaning, but it does make gripping the tank hard. I definitely don't recommend it. But im not a "pro" either.
I still forgot to do it the day I read this and was going for a ride, but I tried it into a turn on my Sunday morning ride. It really didn't feel like much at all. I couldn't remember if it was the right or left leg, and which leg corresponded with which way you were turning, so I could've done it wrong, but eh... who knows. Maybe I'll keep trying it when I get bored. You might notice something if you do it enough.
I can't imagine why it would be useful unless just for extra drag to slow down instead of cooking the brakes... Haven't watched the races in a while but iirc they would come out of tuck before a turn after a long straight. I assume for drag as well. I like mine on the pegs unless I am at a light. Heard about too many people sticking their boot out like dirt racers around a turn... Took care of a guy with a massive hip injury when he stuck his heel. Pain for sure!!!
Quote from: numnutz on July 27, 2010, 05:23:04 PM
Simple physics... more drag by hanging more of your body off the bike.
this. even fractional advantages go far
Also makes it a little harder for a rider behind you to pass under heavy braking. The riders claim that the bikes are so quick and brake so hard now that it is a natural thing to do under heavy braking.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff62/icecreamhands/3522552009_c584b5b10d_o.jpg?t=1304122561)
I was reading this and it seems that some of the posters are under the impression that the GP riders are taking the corner with thier foot off the peg. They are only hanging the foot out during braking once in the corner they are back to a normal cornering postion.
These guys are the best of the best so any advantage even if it's just a mental one helps them. Getting the basics down right consistantly are enough to keep me busy.
I was screwing around today on my Daytona and tried this kinda. It seems to me that it puts more weight on your hands. Thus weighting the front end to make the bike turn better. But I'm still of the mindset that its just a game Rossi is playing with everyone to entertain himself. Read his book and you will likely agree with me. Also I thought that I saw some place where they tested test lap times with and without leg and saw no difference. So its likely just a physiological thing. My teammate thinks its to make yourself wider and harder to pass. I don't buy that cause riders will lay bikes down on someone else in a turn so a flimsy limb aint gunna stop them from ramming it home in a corner...
I've seen a few guys do this during local track-days; none of them terribly fast.
for me.
Coming from supermoto
foot off weights the outside peg, gives you a little extra leverage when the back wheel drifts to the outside you can swing your knee a bit and change the slide some. It also initiates the lean of the bike into the corner. You can't hold this on a sportbike all the way to the apex like a supermoto though you will burn up your tires too fast.
For me on a sport bike taking the leg off is to alleviate some pressure on the muscles of the leg that is "Stuck" in the tuck position. Kind of like stretching after you have been sitting too long. I do this just commuting to work on straights all the time.
But I like the "Rossi mind games" explanation the best. So I choose this one!
Notice how Rossi's former teammate Jorge Lorenzo REFUSES to do this :star: