Body positioning for fast corners

[Varg05R6]

I have been riding for about two & a half years & I am starting to get to the point where I feel confident carrrying a fair bit of speed through the corners in the twisties. Riding with a mate the other day he sort of gave me a brief rundown on how to position my body to the inside of the turn (i.e "hanging off") to keep the bike more upright & offer greater control. I am aware of the reasons for getting to the inside but am having trouble getting the hang of it.

To start with I am 6 foot 3 and weigh about 97 kilos (fat b@stard me ) so I find if I just slide my inside knee up the tank (1 bum cheek on the seat) and lean forward and off the bike I end up way forward over the fairing. The obvious solution is to sit back further in the seat but doesn't that shift my weight further back when I am trying to get my weight forward? I like to sit fairly forward on the tank when riding easy and only really push my bum back when I want to get behind the fairing at faster speeds.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[R6Andrei]

Originally Posted by Varg05R6

I have been riding for about two & a half years & I am starting to get to the point where I feel confident carrrying a fair bit of speed through the corners in the twisties. Riding with a mate the other day he sort of gave me a brief rundown on how to position my body to the inside of the turn (i.e "hanging off") to keep the bike more upright & offer greater control. I am aware of the reasons for getting to the inside but am having trouble getting the hang of it.

To start with I am 6 foot 3 and weigh about 97 kilos (fat b@stard me ) so I find if I just slide my inside knee up the tank (1 bum cheek on the seat) and lean forward and off the bike I end up way forward over the fairing. The obvious solution is to sit back further in the seat but doesn't that shift my weight further back when I am trying to get my weight forward? I like to sit fairly forward on the tank when riding easy and only really push my bum back when I want to get behind the fairing at faster speeds.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

First off, read Twist of the Wrist 2. It's a great book. I highly recommend it. Second off, from what I've read, weighting the rear is ideal. According to the weight ratio figure from that book, you would want a 40/60 ratio from front to rear. Putting weight in the back tire is ideal because that is where most of the traction should be under accelaration. So, basically, you don't want to put weight on the front end during a turn. Besides, putting weight on the front end means that you are putting weight on the handle bars, which is a big no no. Chime in if I am wrong.

R6-Andrei

[motorthings]

if you are 6'3", your butt should be firmly against the front edge of the back seat (i.e. all the way back on your seat). this assumes you are on an R6, of course, as i am not certain of the seat layouts of too many other bikes (other than the school's zx6's).

[sandogn]

Originally Posted by R6Andrei

First off, read Twist of the Wrist 2. It's a great book. I highly recommend it. Second off, from what I've read, weighting the rear is ideal. According to the weight ratio figure from that book, you would want a 40/60 ratio from front to rear. Putting weight in the back tire is ideal because that is where most of the traction should be under accelaration. So, basically, you don't want to put weight on the front end during a turn. Besides, putting weight on the front end means that you are putting weight on the handle bars, which is a big no no. Chime in if I am wrong.

R6-Andrei

+1 great advice and Twost of the Wrist 2 kicks ass

[Burn1]

If it helps any...I am 6' exactly and my butt touches the rear seat front while cornering. My helmet being inline with the stock mirror about a foot or so behind it, just looking over the top. No weight on the bars, putting as much weight as possible on the rear tire....just waiting to exit the apex to apply torque (more that is, since the throtte is already cracked open) to the rear wheel

Most of the time people ride way too far forward...and it will feel strange at first if you are used to riding that way...you will feel more control of the bike with your torso than your arms...and use muscles that you didn't know you even had

[Varg05R6]

Thanks guys that is fantastic. I have an 05 R6 and I tend to sit nuts to tank practically. Ok so should I have my backside at the back of the seat all the time or just when I'm scratching? The R6 really likes to wheelie so I guess sitting forward helps negate this tendency (and my tendency to enjoy wheelies) in traffic or at the lights.

Will try it on the weekend. Please keep the advice coming...it is really helpful

[R6Andrei]

Originally Posted by Varg05R6

Thanks guys that is fantastic. I have an 05 R6 and I tend to sit nuts to tank practically. Ok so should I have my backside at the back of the seat all the time or just when I'm scratching? The R6 really likes to wheelie so I guess sitting forward helps negate this tendency (and my tendency to enjoy wheelies) in traffic or at the lights.

Will try it on the weekend. Please keep the advice coming...it is really helpful

Normal city riding: nuts to tank (lol).
Spirited riding: variety of positions, an inch or two away from tank.
Twisties: more complicated but active weight transfers.

*what do you mean by scratching?

R6-Andrei

[Varg05R6]

Scratching: Slang for fast blasting through the mountains...any fast riding really. Think it comes from "scratching" the footpegs through corners.