Strange Riding Position!?

[Zed]

I saw a peculiar sight yesterday that made me laugh to myself...this biker was going the opposite direction to me and in the fast lane on the north-western motorway, when I noticed that he/she remained in a 'race crouch' over the tank with his helmet just looking above the visor of the bike. He was on what looked like a Jappa 250cc and would have been going less than 100kmph. I witnessed him travelling for about 400m in that same dorky position.

This isn't the first time I've seen this strange phenomenon! I put it down to 'newbie antics'. :killingme It looks really stupid btw!

Do any of you ride like this on the way to work or school? Please realise that you make a spectacle of yourself to other riders and also give people in general an impression that bikers speed :wacko: ...which isn't always true!

[Marknz]

If he/she was on a little 250 and was riding into a head wind... i don't see any problem at all.

[scumdog]

Yeah, I use to lean way back on my Honda to emulate the H-D riding position when I was a 'bit' younger. :wacko:

[Ms Piggy]

If he/she was on a little 250 and was riding into a head wind... i don't see any problem at all.
Excellent point. I sometimes crouch down if it's windy on my little 250 beast, stops me from getting buffetted around.

[FROSTY]

Of course it could just be an old bugger like me--douing the crouch to streech the back muscles.

[Zed]

If he/she was on a little 250 and was riding into a head wind... i don't see any problem at all.
There's no need to assume the race position though! I think some riders see racers on the track riding like that so they mimic it. It's one thing when your riding at high speeds on open-road straights but quite unnecessary and foolish looking while going slow along the motorway. Buy a 'bubble-shield' if the wind is that much of a prob.

[Zed]

Of course it could just be an old bugger like me--douing the crouch to streech the back muscles.
That reminds me - you should have seen Two Smoker riding back from SH22 on the motorway yesterday, at times sitting on his tank and 'lying' stomach down on his tank with his feet on the rear cowl, going about 110 & changing lanes for quite a many kilometer...now that deserved a good laugh! :lol:

[scumdog]

Oh, almost forgot, up near Ashbuton I was bored and sat on the pillion seat for a few k's, must have looked wierd and felt like I was sitting a mile up in the air. :wacko:

[Zed]

Excellent point. I sometimes crouch down if it's windy on my little 250 beast, stops me from getting buffetted around.
That would be the exception, but the riders I've seen "crouching" were not doing it because of the wind!

[Zed]

Oh, almost forgot, up near Ashbuton I was b***d...
You were what?? You can't say such things on a biker forum! When is riding ever boring? Hmmm, could be an idea for a thread? :msn-wink:

[scumdog]

You were what?? You can't say such things on a biker forum! When is riding ever boring? Hmmm, could be an idea for a thread? :msn-wink:

Well, you know, hot day, long boring straights (no fags near Ashbuton matey!) and a wandering mind..... :wacko:

[wari]

I 'LL not knocke ... :spudwave:

HOweverr ...

HEAd downe arse uppe isnot somethin' I'd doina communal showerr ... :eek5:

:moon: <== THis has beena dreemway presintation ... :spudwave:

[Mr Skid]

I saw a peculiar sight yesterday that made me laugh to myself...this biker was going the opposite direction to me and in the fast lane on the north-western motorway, when I noticed that he/she remained in a 'race crouch' over the tank with his helmet just looking above the visor of the bike. He was on what looked like a Jappa 250cc and would have been going less than 100kmph. I witnessed him travelling for about 400m in that same dorky position.

This isn't the first time I've seen this strange phenomenon! I put it down to 'newbie antics'. :killingme It looks really stupid btw!

Do any of you ride like this on the way to work or school? Please realise that you make a spectacle of yourself to other riders and also give people in general an impression that bikers speed :wacko: ...which isn't always true!

Zed, it wouldn't have been me as my throttle hand is still :buggerd:, but how on God's green earth are learners meant to work this sorta thing out?

My 250 didn't come with an Attention! / Achtung! / 注意! label on the tank telling me not to crouch under ~160km/h.

I found out that it didn't make much of a difference by actually trying it out on the motorway. I'll also still put my chest on the tank if I'm going a distance and want to take some of the load off my wrists.

Oh well, I guess I'm a squid now :cry:

[aff-man]

yip 2 times i'll lean on the tank

1) when there is wind and to make myself small as possibly (this especially includes rain)

2) for resting purposes either leaning on tank one hand tucked accross it or just hunkering down to get wieght off wrists (something little bikes are renound for) usually after a long ride.

[Two Smoker]

Only crouch when going at speeds over 150kmh (coz otherwise it slows the bike down) or with very strong cross winds on the harbour bridge..... otherwise i dont sit on the bike.... i be a dickhead like Zed said hehehe

[Deano]

There's no need to assume the race position though! I think some riders see racers on the track riding like that so they mimic it. It's one thing when your riding at high speeds on open-road straights but quite unnecessary and foolish looking while going slow along the motorway. Buy a 'bubble-shield' if the wind is that much of a prob.


That reminds me - you should have seen Two Smoker riding back from SH22 on the motorway yesterday, at times sitting on his tank and 'lying' stomach down on his tank with his feet on the rear cowl, going about 110 & changing lanes for quite a many kilometer...now that deserved a good laugh! :lol:

So does that make TS look foolish also or a good laugh ?

I sometimes drop my elbows to my knees to rest my arms on long rides, which would look like Im in race position.

Have you seen bubble shields for SP-1's ? I reckon they look gay.

[Ms Piggy]

Buy a 'bubble-shield' if the wind is that much of a prob.
WTF is that??

[toads]

yip 2 times i'll lean on the tank

1) when there is wind and to make myself small as possibly (this especially includes rain)

2) for resting purposes either leaning on tank one hand tucked accross it or just hunkering down to get wieght off wrists (something little bikes are renound for) usually after a long ride.

Yeah definately Aff-man, I would too if I rode that kind of bike, I can't cope with the weight all being on the wrists, I used to hunker on down over the tank on my mb100 honda years ago cos of the wind and also cos of the air turbulence from other vehicles, I can understand this guy looked like a dork riding like that, but I pretty much guarantee once he gets past having his restricted licence and can get a bigger bike he won't do it so much, or he'll get a bubble screen as Zed says

[riffer]

I rode in to work all the way in race crouch today.

Chest on the tank (fat stomach squished LOL), elbows tucked in, neck strained all the way.

I had to - the rain was ridiculous - I just couldn't see otherwise. If I crouch all the way down, tuck my knees into the side of the tank, drop my elbows to my knees and keep all the way down, the wind (and thence the rain) goes over the top and I stay mostly dry and, best of all, I can still see where I'm going.

[vifferman]

I rode in to work all the way in race crouch today. I rode into work today in cruiser position, listening to Diana Krall, one hand on the wheel, droppping various family members off in town...

Man, it was boring. Hope it does actually piss down with rain today, seeing as I took the wife's car....


Say - is anyone actually going to post anything interesting on here today? Please don't, as I need to get over my KB obsession and actually do some work, seeing as I've got plenty to do at the moment.:wacko:

[TonyB]

You were what?? You can't say such things on a biker forum! When is riding ever boring? Hmmm, could be an idea for a thread? :msn-wink:
Ahhh- You obviously haven't ridden down that way. Going south from Chch, Ashburton is roughly 1 hour into an approx 3 hour section (at legal speeds) of straights, with only the odd kink to stop you from going completely nuts. This section, which I call Straight Highway One, is bad enough in a nice car with a stereo going and cruise control keeping the right foot in check- on a bike it's hell on earth.

[NC]

Ah well least they are having fun eh?:D

I sit lopsided on the bike for some odd reason, I always have.
It came in handy one day when a Taxi pulled out in front of me and I T-boned him. Just had a massive bruise on the inside of my thigh, instead of a broken pelvis.

[jrandom]

In most instances, I can get a solid 10-15 kph extra out of the FXR by sitting in a race crouch.

Since that would only put me another 10-15 kph over the ticketable limit, I usually don't bother. But sometimes, in a strong headwind, I find such a posture necessary just to keep up with the cages.

[erik]

I saw a peculiar sight yesterday that made me laugh to myself...this biker was going the opposite direction to me and in the fast lane on the north-western motorway, when I noticed that he/she remained in a 'race crouch' over the tank with his helmet just looking above the visor of the bike. He was on what looked like a Jappa 250cc and would have been going less than 100kmph. I witnessed him travelling for about 400m in that same dorky position.

This isn't the first time I've seen this strange phenomenon! I put it down to 'newbie antics'. :killingme It looks really stupid btw!

Do any of you ride like this on the way to work or school? Please realise that you make a spectacle of yourself to other riders and also give people in general an impression that bikers speed :wacko: ...which isn't always true!


:bleh:
It wasn't me because I wasn't on the north western on sunday. But I do ride like that sometimes, for a laugh. It's fun and I see nothing wrong with it as long as it's done safely. And sometimes it's actually useful, like when it was raining and I was trying to stop the rain and wind from getting funnelled down onto my leaky pants.

[vifferman]

Going south from Chch, Ashburton is roughly 1 hour into an approx 3 hour section (at legal speeds) of straights, with only the odd kink to stop you from going completely nuts. This section, which I call Straight Highway One, is bad enough in a nice car with a stereo going and cruise control keeping the right foot in check- on a bike it's hell on earth.:laugh: That's exactly what I thought when I was down there a couple of months back, and saw a guy on a bike riding it. He seemed to be doing the speed limit, and I thought :crazy: "That don't look like much fun..."

[Blakamin]

I do it to rest my wrists and shoulders. elbows on knees, chest on tank... couldnt give a F*** what other people think, honestly. If I did I wouldnt have missing teeth, heaps of tatts and a bright coloured bike.

[Pwalo]

Come on chaps/chapesses, surely you remember trying to lie flat on the tank of your old TS125 trying to see how fast you could go.

I agree that the racing crouch is of dubious value at best other than on the track, but I do try and tuck behind my screen when it's blowing or raining hard (plenty of both in Wellytown lately).

[F5 Dave]

I’ve had many years of travelling silly distances on RG50s (figured it kept me in tune for racing the things) because it is quite fun to have to try to get max performance to maintain, or even when conditions are favourable break the speed limit (on a closed cct of course). I still lean forward in the van when going up a steep hill & it starts to slow. Takes a while to get out of the habit & convince myself it will make no difference.

When I had a throttle cruise control lock on the enormous GS & we were in the middle of nowhere straight road I thought it amusing to wind it on a bit faster than the rider ahead & sit on the pillion seat & pegs & pass them, arms folded as if pillion to an invisible rider. :wavey: (on a closed cct of course).

(do not try this at home,
you'll run out of room in even the most generous of hallways & crash into the telephone table).

[Blakamin]

(do not try this at home,
you'll run out of room in even the most generous of hallways & crash into the telephone table).
Thats why i keep falling off near the kitchen then...bloody telephone tables :shit:

[F5 Dave]

Just as well, those fridge doors open with no warning.

[Coldkiwi]

like Aff-man, I sometimes chill out by lying on the tank at normal speeds. Don't do it for too long though cause it can hurt the neck.

Zed, if you wanna see a really silly riding position, come for a long ride with me one day and you'll see my "flying superman" (feet resting on pillion pegs) in an attempt not to cramp up on the way home!

[Holy Roller]

After riding for a while I find it best to streach the legs a bit by placing them on the rear pegs it helps to streach them, I'm in need of some highway pegs but don't have an upright frame piece to hang them off.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Crikey, why dont you all just buy a comfortable bike???

[F5 Dave]

Crikey, why dont you all just buy a comfortable bike???

That’s a great idea can you suggest anything?

Now we want something that can exceed the speed limit without feeling like a breathless air compressor flat out, & we’ll need some effective brakes, some styling that isn’t too utilitarian & without a doubt the indicator controls should be on the same switchblock.
:whistle:

[Posh Tourer :P]

That’s a great idea can you suggest anything?

Now we want something that can exceed the speed limit without feeling like a breathless air compressor flat out, & we’ll need some effective brakes, some styling that isn’t too utilitarian & without a doubt the indicator controls should be on the same switchblock.
:whistle:

BMW R850R...

[KevinAmerica]

I only tuck when its really cold, but I'm a bit of a soft cock like that. Besides who rides at 160kmh anyway isnt the speedlimit 100??

[Deano]

Crikey, why dont you all just buy a comfortable bike???

Because the thrill of sports riding outweighs the discomfort from the occasional 'tour'. For some anyway. Its the long boring straights that cause discomfort - as soon as you hit some twisties you use different muscles which is quite refreshing.

[Coldkiwi]

Because the thrill of sports riding outweighs the discomfort from the occasional 'tour'. For some anyway. Its the long boring straights that cause discomfort - as soon as you hit some twisties you use different muscles which is quite refreshing.

amen brother! The legs only become a problem when I return from long stretches of straight road... and the only reason I go on long stretches of staright road is to get to tasty twisties where a more comfortable, softer bike would spoil my fun.
Ya can't really wring the neck of a R80 through the twisties, dive on the brakes when you get a line wrong and still come out the other end with clean pants and a smile on your face eh?

[F5 Dave]

You vill be recommended to be wearing approved BMW pants thank you very much & they vill be clean, even if you have to change them mid corner! OR else!

& you vill wipe that smile off your face. It is not efficient. :Police: (no stormtrooper emoicon so this will do)

[Ms Piggy]

WTF is that??
Noone has answered my question. What is a bubble shield???

[Two Smoker]

Noone has answered my question. What is a bubble shield???
a bubble screen is just a normal blade with a bump in the middle to move the airflow further up, meaning less buffeting.....

[Ms Piggy]

a bubble screen is just a normal blade with a bump in the middle to move the airflow further up, meaning less buffeting.....
Ummmm....errrrr :o :o :o whats a blade?

[NC]

Ummmm....errrrr :o :o :o whats a blade?


That front faring bit that people hide behind so the wind doesn't hit them and slow them down

[Two Smoker]

Ummmm....errrrr :o :o :o whats a blade?
motorcycle windscreen :)

[Ms Piggy]

motorcycle windscreen :)
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, that sounds like it woukld create more wind for me! Does it honestly help? What about cross winds?

[Aucker]

i only get down low on my bike when i'm going really fast, otherwise i'd look & feel like a right prat! :thud: Some peeps just shouldn't be riding bikes on the road :wacko:

[DebK]

Now, when you're atop a scoot that can too easily exceed the speed limit but is shaped like a fat-arse ant (see pic) the only option in staying upright in the wind is too hunker down - bum up & boobs down. I stretch my boots back on the pillion pegs, tuck my elbows in and rest them on my knees.

I've read comments somewhere on here in the past taking the p*ss out of scooter riders who do strike a racer pose... but in my case, it's a matter of necessity. Laugh & mock if you will, but I value my skin. If a gust hits me unexpectantly when I'm upright at 100+ it's bloody dodgy.

[wari]

Now.. bum up & boobs down

....

I THInk we NEED Pics of that eh .... :spudwhat:

ALL those in favoure say aye ...

aye ! :spudwave:

[DebK]

Ha! You may be disappointed though, so I'll spare you that.

[wari]

Ha! You may be disappointed though ...

WE'll betha judge of that ...

WOnt we boys ... :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

[Zed]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, that sounds like it woukld create more wind for me! Does it honestly help? What about cross winds?
Pic is attached of a bubble screen. It helps direct the wind higher over the rider. People buy them a lot for touring on long trips, etc. I would say cross winds would effect you from a side angle rather than from the front, so the screen wouldn't help much?

Personally I think bubble screens look 'orrible. :no:

[scumdog]

Pic is attached of a bubble screen. It helps direct the wind higher over the rider. People buy them a lot for touring on long trips, etc. I would say cross winds would effect you from a side angle rather than from the front, so the screen wouldn't help much?

Personally I think bubble screens look 'orrible. :no:

Personaly I think ANY 'screen is an admission of 'orribleness and not keeping with the spirit of m'cycling. :shake:

[Zed]

Personaly I think ANY 'screen is an admission of 'orribleness and not keeping with the spirit of m'cycling. :shake:...and the "spirit of motorcycling" in your mind sd is?

[scumdog]

...and the "spirit of motorcycling" in your mind sd is?

Total exposure to the elements which enhance unsullied thoughts, a clarity of mind, and a contact with your maker - and I jest you nought for that is my thoughts when I ride, for never before do your activities put you in mind with the fragility of life and your maker.

[wari]

I HAve to ride with my visorr downe ...

OTHerwise I cant breathe withall that aire goin' up my nose and my eyes start wartering at 100k ... :cry:

[Stevo]

I crouch on my Fizzer plenty. Mostly cos I geared it up some and in the wind she is pullin pretty hard in the long cog. Hopefully gettin my restricted tomorrow so then only 6 more long months till I can get me a bigger (legally) road bike! :brick: A great source of frustration since it is the smallest of my 4 bikes!!! Grrrrrrrr. Lack of torque and sheer grunt in the motor depot = A real p*ss off.

[vtec]

I ride in the crouch position sometimes when it is windy or rainy. I rode a large portion of my journey home in that position tonight as I came home south over the harbour bridge. 'Twas a windy one.

Yes I do feel like a bit of knob when I do it sometimes, but it's not as uncomfortable as it looks. I just rest my elbows on my knees and my chest on the tank. And because I commute on a CBR 250 RR every day my neck is quite fit and no longer gets tired at all in that position leaning forward.

My reasons for using the crouch position are :
1 To keep warm
2 To keep dry
3 To save fuel
4 To help prevent wind causing me to swerve
5 For high speed runs (in controlled circumstances/on closed roads etc.)

Don't mock it just cause it looks bad. And if you think it looks uncomfortable, then harden up.

[Ms Piggy]

I HAve to ride with my visorr downe ...

OTHerwise I cant breathe withall that aire goin' up my nose and my eyes start wartering at 100k ... :cry:
Actually riding home tonight I had to keep putting my visor up & down. It was raining really hard and even though I was only riding at 40 - 50kms it really stung on my face & lips (OUUCH!!) and then my visor would fog up cos of my breath. I get watery eyes all the time. :cry:

Zed - thanks for the pic. I don't think the CB could fit one of those anyway and yeah side ways wind is nasty. Got blown around a lot tonight :shit:

[Zed]

...My reasons for using the crouch position are :
1 To keep warm
2 To keep dry
3 To save fuel
4 To help prevent wind causing me to swerve
5 For high speed runs (in controlled circumstances/on closed roads etc.)
I've learned that to keep warm and stay dry on a bike it comes down to what gear you are 'wearing'; you would hardly save any fuel; in extreme cases of wind and in high speed runs it is practical to crouch.


Don't mock it just cause it looks bad...
Why can't I mock it because it looks bad? :disapint:


Welcome to KB btw!


Zed

[Zed]

Total exposure to the elements which enhance unsullied thoughts, a clarity of mind, and a contact with your maker - and I jest you nought for that is my thoughts when I ride, for never before do your activities put you in mind with the fragility of life and your maker.
That was deep sd - thanks!

I can now see that "bubble screens" cannot fit into your equation. :shit:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Total exposure to the elements which enhance unsullied thoughts, a clarity of mind, and a contact with your maker - and I jest you nought for that is my thoughts when I ride, for never before do your activities put you in mind with the fragility of life and your maker.

You ride naked then? Or does that encourage sullied thoughts on the part of some?

[scumdog]

You ride naked then? Or does that encourage sullied thoughts on the part of some?

A leeetle bit nippy for that just yet and the shock to other road user would be catagorized as a 'road-hazard' and sure as hell would sully them!!! but I make sure my bike is naked to compensate!!

[TonyB]

Actually riding home tonight I had to keep putting my visor up & down. It was raining really hard and even though I was only riding at 40 - 50kms it really stung on my face & lips (OUUCH!!) and then my visor would fog up cos of my breath. I get watery eyes all the time. :cry:

Zed - thanks for the pic. I don't think the CB could fit one of those anyway and yeah side ways wind is nasty. Got blown around a lot tonight :shit:
Try a Fog City sheild on you visor- they work well. A tiny bit of sunlight liquid smeared over the inside of the visor will also stop them from fogging- probably as well as the Fog City thingy and it's free. The problem with the Fog City sheild is that if you want to ride with your visor slightly open it gets dirty- and it scratches very easily.
As for getting blown around in a cross wind, I find keeping my arms wirsts and hands loose stops most of the wandering etc. If the wind is buffeting your body and your arms are stiff, you'll be steering the bike. Hope that helps!

Scumdog- surely you must occasionally sully your thoughts with dreams of wind protection if you're doing 100kmh into a 100kmh head wind? Before you say it'll never happen, try riding from Hanmer towards the Lewis Pass in a reasonable Nor-Wester. If you're going the other way it's possible to do 100kmh and not feel a breath of wind!

[Holy Roller]

I HAve to ride with my visorr downe ...

OTHerwise I cant breathe withall that aire goin' up my nose and my eyes start wartering at 100k ... :cry:

My open face helps me breath better sort of ram air action :2thumbsup

[Deano]

My open face helps me breath better sort of ram air action :2thumbsup

And all the extra protein you get from the bugs has got to be a bonus :eek:

[Ms Piggy]

Try a Fog City sheild on you visor- they work well. A tiny bit of sunlight liquid smeared over the inside of the visor will also stop them from fogging- probably as well as the Fog City thingy and it's free. The problem with the Fog City sheild is that if you want to ride with your visor slightly open it gets dirty- and it scratches very easily.
As for getting blown around in a cross wind, I find keeping my arms wirsts and hands loose stops most of the wandering etc. If the wind is buffeting your body and your arms are stiff, you'll be steering the bike. Hope that helps!


Ahhhhhhhh ok, thanks matey :niceone:

[R6_kid]

It was me!!! I think.....

I was heading to Mt Albert to get some bits off shandawg. I was on the the North Western just going past Avondale and i saw a nice big red bike going the other way. I had been riding all day coming back from mangawhai with a 30L pack on my back. It was just nice to get the wind out of face. I do this a bit when im on the motorway but normally on if there is strong winds not caused from the insane power of my 4strk 4cyl 250.

So zed, watch ur mouth buddy! you never know who you might be bad mouthing! :argh:

:calm:

[Zed]

It was me!!! I think.....

I was heading to Mt Albert to get some bits off shandawg. I was on the the North Western just going past Avondale and i saw a nice big red bike going the other way. I had been riding all day coming back from mangawhai with a 30L pack on my back. It was just nice to get the wind out of face. I do this a bit when im on the motorway but normally on if there is strong winds not caused from the insane power of my 4strk 4cyl 250.

So zed, watch ur mouth buddy! you never know who you might be bad mouthing! :argh:

:calm:
Dude, rest assured it was NOT you okay! Sounds like you had an excuse to lie down anyway.

The pillock I commented on was coming past me going east near Newton St off ramp. :Pokey:

[Deano]

The pillock I commented on was coming past me going east near Newton St off ramp. :Pokey: [/color]

After reviewing this thread, it seems there are a lot of "pillocks" out there then Zed - bit prejudgemental perhaps if you don't know the reason for that riding position ? Or are you just trolling...

[Dodgyiti]

When I'm bored I crouch down on the M/way, just to see if I can increase the speed by reducing the drag, gotta keep sane somehow :lol:

[scumdog]

When I'm bored I crouch down on the M/way, just to see if I can increase the speed by reducing the drag, gotta keep sane somehow :lol:

Watch it with this 'bored' thing when you're on your scoot, I mentioned it earlier in this thread and got a tong-up from Zed for claiming to be bored while riding :lol:

[slob]

I crouch down on the m'way when I'm cold :cold: . Makes a hell of a difference!

[Zed]

After reviewing this thread, it seems there are a lot of "pillocks" out there then Zed - bit prejudgemental perhaps if you don't know the reason for that riding position ? Or are you just trolling...
Mild trolling I suppose! :Punk: