Bad-mofo

I asked it on SMJ and I thought I'd ask it here. I think it equally applies to both MX and SuMo, but probably more to the latter because of the asphalt.

I come from the road racing background, but I've more or less learned to ride foot out. However I think I'm lazy as I don't lift my leg enough. I have long legs, so it takes some considerable effort to keep it straight, not to mention they weigh a ton towards the end of the day. Two weeks ago I had my first SuMo crash: a lowside at a warp speed of 20mph. I was wearing full gear including Axo MX/SuMo boots, but unfortunately I still managed to break my right ankle (small outside bone - fibula) and tear two ligaments.

I did some online research and analysis of similar ankle injuries and I think I understand what happened. It was towards the end of the day. I was tired, but still pumped up about chasing a guy just one second faster than me. I've never struggled with T3 at Grange before (tight 180 right hairpin), but that day I constantly missed the turn-in and entered it hot, so I had to correct. Well, I said to myself "just lean the sucker more" and the next thing I know the bike instantly lowsided without any warning. It fell on me and slid for 3-4 feet with my leg trapped underneath. I've crashed my R6 on the track four times onm big tracks not to mention another 5-7 (don't remember) lowsides on my mini-tard: TTR-125, but all of them were knee-down. Most of those crashes the bike slid away from me as the speed was higher (50-60mph), but even when my leg was underneath R6, nothing happened. Frame sliders? As bizarre as it sounds I tend to think now that slow SuMo crashes are more dangerous than high speed sportbike get-offs.

First I though that the peg (sharpened from constant grinding) hit my ankle and pushed the bone out. Probably not, as it'd be the big bone (tibia) which I didn't break. Besides the bike is not that heavy and I was wearing MX boots. The way I see it now is I was lazy and lifted my legs only slightly keeping the knees bent. So when I started falling, the whole sole of the boot naturally came into contact with the ground and stayed there while the bike fell on my leg and pushed it to the outside. Hence the injury: the foot planted to the ground while the the leg moving laterally and possibly twisting. This is the best I can describe it.

Here's two pictures I found through google to illustrate it better:

The first one is my current riding style with a bent knee (it's not me, LOL):


And the second one is ideal (safe) leg/foot positioning:


Not sure how leaning the bike in the second picture physically possible (unless he's lowsiding), but that's how I think one needs to ride foot-out to prevent ankle injuries. Tell me what you think.

Haywood

What's your nick on SMJ?

The first pic is 'proper' foot-out style. I _think_ in the second picture, the positioning of the leg/foot is only because he is defenitly lowsiding. If you look at the front wheel, it's clearly off the ground and on the slider already. And he may be also heading for a broken knee/thigh when the bike hits the ground. Look at the bars, they're right over that waaaay over extended hip and knee. I bet that one hurt.


Lol, if you look hard enough, you can see smoke off his boot!
...

My biggest hurdle learning to sumo, was hip-strength. My hip joints have worn out a few years ago and I've got some issues with them. But, after riding sumo for a year, and re-developing the hip muscles again they feel much better. To the point I don't have some of the hip issues I used to have. It has also pointed out how much I need to get to the gym and get my basic physicality(?) back.

Who says being a kid and riding dirtbikes isn't good for ya?

Bad-mofo

Yeah, I noticed the bars in the first picture. Makes me question SuMo safety as the inside leg is going to hit something no matter what flavor of MX riding style you favor. I dunno. Probably I can't get over the fact that I got my first bike-related injury after lowsiding at 20mph whether nothing happened at a much higher speed on (or under) a much heavier sportbike.

Well, SuMo is too much fun to give up. It'd be hard t ride with the same attitude though. "Dude, why are you so slow? You don't trust your tires?" So I started "trusting my tires" cause "Hey, what can happen at those speeds anyway?"

Let me find another picture. Generally I think I made myself clear: bent leg vs. straight leg.

My "creative" screen name on SMJ is Alex R.

JakeR1

Actually, if I remember correctly, he didn't lowside.

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Just call me Matt...

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seesm

The 1st pick is the BEST way to ride I say this with ALOT of Supermoto experience and my experience. The Dirt track way is best (btw I suck at DT still)

Again the dt way is best because you can steer with the back end if need be. And when you get even better you will pick up your foot most of the time and not even touch the ground much.

I used to waer boots out about 1-6 rides and then I start the slide and get my feet BACK on the pegs 90% of the time. Or some "glide" it lightly on the ground which wears the boot a little but is a outrigger of sorts... from 03 till now I ride SuMo as you all call it.. When I see that (SuMo) feel I should gain even more weight and wear a cotton diaper looking get up.

Btw "IF" that second guy did not crash (MATT) it is only because he lost the rear a little and almost high sided it and got back onto the "meat" of the tire. there is no way he is railing that corner and sticking the tires with that little touching. Hey btw Matt where is that pic from?

I have only ridden on production bikes and tires on Road racing but on SM I have ridden a factory bike with NON-production tires and they are better set upnand feel but even then that "lean angle" is OFF the tire. (different but maybe similar that OFF THE HOOK)

Just my 181 cents. Sorry soo long fella's and chickens!!

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