Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Everett on March 21, 2005, 12:00:22 PM

Title: one knee down
Post by: Everett on March 21, 2005, 12:00:22 PM
i would consider myself a very good rider, nto the best but pretty good.  i love to turn but try as ahrd as i might i still cant seem to get my knee down to actually touch the ground.   i have scraped my pegs and the likes but the knee is somehting that jsut doenst want to work.  i turn my butt of to thepoint that when looking at the tire you can tell that im at the edge.  is it that i jsut dont hang over far enough or is it that i need to lean over much more, even though i dont think i can due to loking at my tire.  any helpful tips on how this is done is greatly appreciated
thanks
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Sunny on March 21, 2005, 12:45:16 PM
Probably how you position your body, especially knees/legs.  Just point the knees out, and you'll be fine if you are dragging other hard parts and on the edge of the tire.
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: pnther15 on March 21, 2005, 01:31:45 PM
which tire are you at the edge of?  I can reach the edge of my rear w/out dragging, but the edge of my front I'm dragging knees.

Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Gixxerblade on March 21, 2005, 02:27:05 PM
If you really want to get a "knee down" hang off of the bike as much as you can to the point where your ass isnt even on the seat anymore and put your head where the mirror would be and trust me you will either be dragging your knee or you will be dragging your helmet.  ;)
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Super Dave on March 21, 2005, 07:01:06 PM
On my R6, I can sit on the seat and drag my knee.

What bike?  What do you have for suspension?  There can be issues there that make it hard.
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Everett on March 21, 2005, 11:05:15 PM
i have a 99 gsxr600  as far as i know the suspension is stock with no adjustments but i dont know for sure.  the steering is neutral enoguh as to not feel like im forcing the bike into a turn or anything, when the weather gets warmer ill try different body positions to see what results i get.  i feel that im pretty centered and well balanced on the bike that i should be able to touch but i could be wrong.    ill let you guys know
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Super Dave on March 22, 2005, 08:10:03 AM
With stock suspension the mechanical advantage of a racing set up is not there.  

So, often, the chassis will collapse under the load of traction.  You might be dragging the pegs, but the lean angle won't be as steep as a race bike.

That might hamper your getting a knee down.

And what's the point in street riding?
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Steviebee on March 22, 2005, 10:17:27 AM

dragging knees  just slow u down, all that extra friction!!.  and theyre 30 bucks to replace pucks !


I still laugh watching stumpy with his "knee up huggin"  style.
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: stumpy on March 22, 2005, 03:06:03 PM
After the Freddie Spencer school, I have fixed that problem and found out why I was doing it.
Now I'll be even faster ;)



Stumpy
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Kal on March 22, 2005, 03:44:06 PM
Out with it Stumpy...why were you riding knee up?  I tend to do that myself and can't afford Fast Freddies school.  As the MW numero uno it's now your responsibility to impart knowledge.  ;D
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: stumpy on March 22, 2005, 04:50:31 PM
What Freddie said was I must have a big unit and it is getting in the way of my riding therefore I was kind of like...Protecting it. So buck up Kal, hold your head high!



Stumpy
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Kal on March 22, 2005, 06:32:17 PM
QuoteWhat Freddie said was I must have a big unit and it is getting in the way of my riding therefore I was kind of like...Protecting it. So buck up Kal, hold your head high!



Stumpy

Now it all makes sense! :D If that's the case I don't mind being slow.  How did Freddie find that out about you??... during the mandatory post riding showers?? ;)
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: spyderchick on March 22, 2005, 06:37:36 PM
No, they do a reach around while checking your ...eh hem...riding position... :o ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: tshort on March 26, 2005, 03:26:10 PM
Quoteany helpful tips on how this is done is greatly appreciated thanks

Tip:  cmon out racing with us one weekend.  You'll prolly get yer knee down.
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Everett on March 26, 2005, 04:20:23 PM
i wish i could, but unfortunately im stuck in the the quad cities and teh closest track is in the chicago area,  the QC is the easten middle apart of iowa (I-80 runs through her)  and my truck ('77 3/4 ton gets about 8 miles to the gallon and cost 40 bucks to fill up so i cant really afford to drive there every weekend  if anybody knows of a track thats closer that would be awesome,   but i think im giogn to have to wait til i move down to Vegas next year before i can get to a track...
thats why im practicing on the streets for now, figure if i can drag on crappy roads then teh track should be that much easier to ride
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: stumpy on March 26, 2005, 05:57:21 PM
Hey Everett,
 You really should make your way to Blackhawk Farms, Its a great track, I'm sure you heard it a million times but the streets are not made for going fast. I was the fastest guy around on the street, Loved the twisties, After I lowsided into a funeral home parking lot I made my way to the track. Since then I have sold my street bike cause it was to dangerous!  ;)

Stumpy
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Everett on April 02, 2005, 12:47:46 PM
when i get the money ill definity be at the track  its a matter of time and money with school and all those lovely bills we enjoy so much
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Super Dave on April 02, 2005, 12:54:47 PM
Ain't so expensive to just try riding on the track...

http://www.team-visionsports.com
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Everett on April 02, 2005, 01:16:48 PM
its transportation to the track, also i dont even have my bike preped for the track    this summer i will make a trip up there  
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Super Dave on April 03, 2005, 05:21:55 AM
You can ride to the track, remove the mirrors, tape a few items and be ready to ride.  A track day isn't racing, and it's a good opportunity to try things out.  

Might motivate you to do more, or it might show you that there's a lot that you don't know.  You might be surprised on how little you really can explore on the street.  Errors on the street are can be expensive and painful.  The enviornment of a race track really will open your eyes.  But you have to make that decision.
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: Jeff on April 08, 2005, 12:56:28 PM
QuoteAfter I lowsided into a funeral home parking lot

WOW... now THERE'S a sign...
Title: Re: one knee down
Post by: cbr806 on April 15, 2005, 10:44:02 PM
Roads suck.  You have to get to the track.  Marc (Mr. Whitney - AKA Starsky) help this guy out.  Haul his stuff to RA of BHF so we can learn him on the knee dragin' thing ( along with the beer suckin' thing of course).