Crossed Up?

NIKYFN · 05-04-2008, 02:09 PM

I've been told that I look a bit crossed up from pictures of me on Paly. I was curious as to what they meant. Can you please help me understand what they mean? Also please feel free to further critique. For reference I was probably going about 70-80% in these pics, as I don't entirely trust my bike's suspension settings completely. Kept feeling chatter in the front end. No need to be gentle, I want the brutal truth. Thanks

Disco · 05-04-2008, 03:08 PM

Well, you're not getting off the bike much so its kinda hard to tell, but yeah that first pic looks a bit crossed up. Basically it means you are getting your lower body down, while keeping your upper body upright, therefore "crossing" the line of the bike. For some people this form works, but the more preferred way to ride is with your body in line with the bike...in which case you would have to lean your upper body more into the turn and try to "kiss the mirror" as they say.

SPEED · 05-05-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco

Well, you're not getting off the bike much so its kinda hard to tell, but yeah that first pic looks a bit crossed up. Basically it means you are getting your lower body down, while keeping your upper body upright, therefore "crossing" the line of the bike. For some people this form works, but the more preferred way to ride is with your body in line with the bike...in which case you would have to lean your upper body more into the turn and try to "kiss the mirror" as they say.

Cyanide41 · 05-05-2008, 08:20 AM

Lean with your head not with your ass

Bad-mofo · 05-05-2008, 09:22 AM

Look at the last picture. Leaning with your head GP 250 style would get that head over DY and this is why most people hesitate to do it. Sure you can stay away from DY, but then you'd miss the "apex". See where I'm getting? Those track terms don't apply to the street. I'm not preaching taking it to the track. Just think of risk and reward.

All videos of ballzy badazz outlaw knee draggers like the "Ortega crew" shooting sparks show the squidly way of doing it: hanging down (not off the bike) the lower body while clinging to the tank. While the goal is really not that much to touch DOWN, but get your whole upper and lower body OFF the bike - as far OUT as you can (also depends on the lean angle).

I'm guilty of "working on my form" in the canyons, but canyons are not the best place to try - they're second worst (after freeways). I know it sounds silly, and of course ballzy riders consider it sissy compared to their only way of life - canyons... Find a clean parking big lot and just ride countless circles at 30-40mph in second gear noting how things feel and trying to get comfortable with hanging off. I can describe the process: it's really simple though not intuitive like some people say: "just lean" or "just kiss the mirror" or "dude, it'll come with speed". It's several things for several parts of your body. yes, your head should be "kissing the mirror" (I prefer an easier reference "torso on the side of the tank"). But do you know where your arms should be? Your legs? And your feet? See, it's a little more than the single advice of "kissing the mirror" let alone generic statements like "practice [in the canyons like us] and it'll come".

Disco · 05-05-2008, 09:18 PM

Here's a pic of me from last Sunday. I dont have perfect form or anything but as you can see my body is low and inside the turn, with my spine just about parallel to the bike and my head looking right where I need to go.

speedextreme16 · 05-06-2008, 07:58 AM

Diego, you are a stud my man!

NIKYFN · 05-06-2008, 09:18 PM

WOW, I got a lot of work to do! Looking at your arms, notably your inside arm, I feel as though I'm having to exert way too much pressure on the bar to be able to have my arm tucked in that much. I know I have to adjust my setup, but are there other factors? Also, one thing I try to implement, is weighting the outside peg, though on Paly I'm usually too busy to be thinking about anything other than what the bike is doing. Ever hear of it, or use it yourself?
Also Bad-Mofo, I hear and understand what your saying, and I generally agree with what your saying as well. Once I get a second bike, I'm on the track. But until then this is my only recourse. As far as parking lots go, unless I find one with absolutely no traffic, and pretty clean blacktop, I don't trust them. In Illinois some of my best riding was at the MSF advanced rider course, and strangely gave me my first taste of what it might be like to be on a track. I know what I'm saying sounds a bit contradictory, seeing as I ride Paly whenever I get the chance, and parking lots are scary and unpredictable (I know Iknow).

Disco · 05-06-2008, 09:42 PM

Well another important factor for being smooth is keeping yourself relaxed. You don't want to fight the bike, you basically want to set it in the right course and lightly hang on until you change directions. Use your outside leg to hang on to the bike when you are leaned over, and try to keep your arms and hands relaxed. Being light on the handlebars really helps in case something upsets the steering because it allows the bike to adjust itself and keep going.

Trackdays are the best way to practice obviously, but being smooth and relaxed is something you can practice all the time.

SPEED · 05-06-2008, 09:58 PM

Heres a few.......

Outside knee into the tank, light on the bars, shoulder down & into the turn. chest on the tank, inside foot on the ball (& I like to have my outside foot resting lightly near the heal), look through the turns, breathe & try to relax but stay focused on where you want to go. May have missed something because I'm old, lol. Don't forget to have fun always!!

05-04-2008, 03:08 PM	#2
Disco Squid Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 213 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 2 (10)	Well, you're not getting off the bike much so its kinda hard to tell, but yeah that first pic looks a bit crossed up. Basically it means you are getting your lower body down, while keeping your upper body upright, therefore "crossing" the line of the bike. For some people this form works, but the more preferred way to ride is with your body in line with the bike...in which case you would have to lean your upper body more into the turn and try to "kiss the mirror" as they say. __________________ For parts and gear www.cyclesector.com WERA West #415 WSMC #715

05-05-2008, 08:20 AM	#4
Cyanide41 Know It All Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 427 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 4 (20)	Lean with your head not with your ass __________________ ..::JAMES::..

05-05-2008, 09:22 AM	#5
Bad-mofo Know It All Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aliso Viejo, CA Bikes: 03 R6, 04 R1, 06 450SMR Age: 36 Posts: 494 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 4 (16)	Look at the last picture. Leaning with your head GP 250 style would get that head over DY and this is why most people hesitate to do it. Sure you can stay away from DY, but then you'd miss the "apex". See where I'm getting? Those track terms don't apply to the street. I'm not preaching taking it to the track. Just think of risk and reward. All videos of ballzy badazz outlaw knee draggers like the "Ortega crew" shooting sparks show the squidly way of doing it: hanging down (not off the bike) the lower body while clinging to the tank. While the goal is really not that much to touch DOWN, but get your whole upper and lower body OFF the bike - as far OUT as you can (also depends on the lean angle). I'm guilty of "working on my form" in the canyons, but canyons are not the best place to try - they're second worst (after freeways). I know it sounds silly, and of course ballzy riders consider it sissy compared to their only way of life - canyons... Find a clean parking big lot and just ride countless circles at 30-40mph in second gear noting how things feel and trying to get comfortable with hanging off. I can describe the process: it's really simple though not intuitive like some people say: "just lean" or "just kiss the mirror" or "dude, it'll come with speed". It's several things for several parts of your body. yes, your head should be "kissing the mirror" (I prefer an easier reference "torso on the side of the tank"). But do you know where your arms should be? Your legs? And your feet? See, it's a little more than the single advice of "kissing the mirror" let alone generic statements like "practice [in the canyons like us] and it'll come". Last edited by Bad-mofo : 05-05-2008 at 09:28 AM.

05-05-2008, 09:18 PM	#6
Disco Squid Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 213 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 2 (10)	Here's a pic of me from last Sunday. I dont have perfect form or anything but as you can see my body is low and inside the turn, with my spine just about parallel to the bike and my head looking right where I need to go. __________________ For parts and gear www.cyclesector.com WERA West #415 WSMC #715

05-06-2008, 07:58 AM	#7
speedextreme16 Track Junkie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jewel of the High Desert Bikes: '99 R6 for track, SOLD; '04 CBR 600rr for street Age: 28 Posts: 1,652 iTrader: (1) Rep Power: 5 (47)	Diego, you are a stud my man! __________________ I know that it is not your fault, but I am still going to blame you! Semper Fidelis!

05-06-2008, 09:18 PM	#8
NIKYFN Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PQ, SD, CA. Bikes: 1996 CBR F3 Age: 33 Posts: 37 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 0 (10)	WOW, I got a lot of work to do! Looking at your arms, notably your inside arm, I feel as though I'm having to exert way too much pressure on the bar to be able to have my arm tucked in that much. I know I have to adjust my setup, but are there other factors? Also, one thing I try to implement, is weighting the outside peg, though on Paly I'm usually too busy to be thinking about anything other than what the bike is doing. Ever hear of it, or use it yourself? Also Bad-Mofo, I hear and understand what your saying, and I generally agree with what your saying as well. Once I get a second bike, I'm on the track. But until then this is my only recourse. As far as parking lots go, unless I find one with absolutely no traffic, and pretty clean blacktop, I don't trust them. In Illinois some of my best riding was at the MSF advanced rider course, and strangely gave me my first taste of what it might be like to be on a track. I know what I'm saying sounds a bit contradictory, seeing as I ride Paly whenever I get the chance, and parking lots are scary and unpredictable (I know Iknow).

05-06-2008, 09:42 PM	#9
Disco Squid Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 213 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 2 (10)	Well another important factor for being smooth is keeping yourself relaxed. You don't want to fight the bike, you basically want to set it in the right course and lightly hang on until you change directions. Use your outside leg to hang on to the bike when you are leaned over, and try to keep your arms and hands relaxed. Being light on the handlebars really helps in case something upsets the steering because it allows the bike to adjust itself and keep going. Trackdays are the best way to practice obviously, but being smooth and relaxed is something you can practice all the time. __________________ For parts and gear www.cyclesector.com WERA West #415 WSMC #715

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