Position in seat?

[Sentox]

The current advice I'm following is to leave a couple of inches between the tank and my crotch. From a static perspective, it is more comfortable and balanced than jamming my butt against the back of the seat, or pressing up against the tank...

The problem is that despite my best efforts to grip the tank with my knees, I just simply can't stop myself from sliding forward under heavy braking (especially on a bumpy surface) unless I put weight on the bars, which is obviously bad.

So do I just need to practice more, or adjust my seating position?

(Yes, I'm asking for advice on where to put my crotch. Restrain yourselves )

[vindy500]

I must admit to having similar problems

[bogan]

Same for me, but I'm adjusting my position for cornering/braking/etc anyway so just move back a bit if I'm too close to the tank. I put weight on the bars under braking though, didn't think it possible not to.

[Mental Trousers]

Usually you're braking because you're about to enter a corner, and when you're entering a corner you want to do as few things as possible so the bike remains stable and doesn't have to deal with you moving around and turning at the same time. So I suggest you actually move to the side a little before you start braking. This'll mean your inner thigh will press up against the back of the tank, taking your weight off your arms, and the knee on the other leg will be firmly pressed into the tank. Doing that you're in a much better position to take the corner as your body weight is slightly inside the line of the bike.

You don't need to move to the side much, just to the edge of the seat.

That's what works for me.

Another thing you can do is turn your toes inwards when you want to grip the tank. Sounds weird but your feet have a huge say in how the rest of your body works with the bike.

[Sentox]

So I suggest you actually move to the side a little before you start braking. This'll mean your inner thigh will press up against the back of the tank and the knee on the other leg will be firmly pressed into the tank..

Thanks! Makes sense, will have to try this tomorrow. When I ride at the moment, between clamping down on the heel plates and the tank I can keep my arms fairly light, but it falls apart when the rear brake and shifter come into it. I can imagine with the outside leg against the tank a bit more, I'll have a more stable point to hold my weight against.

Edit: what about low speed scenarios? Around town, I find myself sliding forward constantly, even without braking. Is it just the nature of the more aggressive sportsbike posture?

[monkeymcbean]

I tend to move forward and hug the tank, squeeze with my knees, use my legs a little to take weight off my wrists and hands, kick up to my heels on the footpegs so foot is not far from the brake and gear lever. In a semi sports ride position my wrists don't get sore at all even with riding all day.
The bike I have has a dummy tank and it rises up fairly high in style, very comfortable to lean on and tuck behind the screen, in a strong head wind. So, im not timmed to hug the tank, its rather comfortable and feel rather connected likely looks weird but i don't care,

[hayd3n]

are you putting weight on your legs or arse?

[BiK3RChiK]

This is new to me... I've always hugged the tank. So, what gives? I found on the low bar sports bike, that I would always slide forward into the tank, but with the naked bike with higher bars, I'm not hugging it sooo much. Should I not be doing this?

Interesting thread...

[Little Miss Trouble]

Thanks! Makes sense, will have to try this tomorrow. When I ride at the moment, between clamping down on the heel plates and the tank I can keep my arms fairly light, but it falls apart when the rear brake and shifter come into it. I can imagine with the outside leg against the tank a bit more, I'll have a more stable point to hold my weight against.

Edit: what about low speed scenarios? Around town, I find myself sliding forward constantly, even without braking. Is it just the nature of the more aggressive sportsbike posture?

Hyosung make sprotsbikes? Really? Since when?

[Squiggles]

Use your knees to grip, and if necessary get some stomp grip/similar for the tank

[bogan]

Thanks! Makes sense, will have to try this tomorrow. When I ride at the moment, between clamping down on the heel plates and the tank I can keep my arms fairly light, but it falls apart when the rear brake and shifter come into it. I can imagine with the outside leg against the tank a bit more, I'll have a more stable point to hold my weight against.

Edit: what about low speed scenarios? Around town, I find myself sliding forward constantly, even without braking. Is it just the nature of the more aggressive sportsbike posture?

I've just dug out my Lee Parks high performance street riding techniques book; he says slide back in seat to protect the jewels, and weight furthur back allows quicker stops, lower back gets a workout holding up torso so not on arms, and grip tank with knees to stop yourself sliding forwards (i got to work on this stuff I think).

With regard to slower riding, doubt it makes much difference, is the shock preload adjusted to your weight? if wrong the back could b higher and make you slide forwards perhaps?

when I got my bros the seat was in such a way that you sank in towards the front, I put some extra foam in it now and its greatly reduced that problem.

[CookMySock]

I suggest you actually move to the side a little before you start braking. This'll mean your inner thigh will press up against the back of the tank, taking your weight off your arms, and the knee on the other leg will be firmly pressed into the tank. Doing that you're in a much better position to take the corner as your body weight is slightly inside the line of the bike. You don't need to move to the side much, just to the edge of the seat.

I can confirm the Hyosung R's respond well to this, but I would also suggest you slide your ass as far back on the seat as it will go and crack a little bit of throttle on when cornering hard. The hyos really like as much weight on the back wheel as possible when cornering or they feel jittery.

Also the hyo R's are quite sensitive to the rider leaning on the bars - over a certain angle of lean they will tip and dive deeply into the corner - most unsettling. Best get your weight right off the bars and then the bike is stable and predictable.

Best place to fiddle with all this stuff is on the track.

Steve

[Mental Trousers]

I can confirm the Hyosung R's respond well to this, but I would also suggest you slide your ass as far back on the seat as it will go and crack a little bit of throttle on when cornering hard. The hyos really like as much weight on the back wheel as possible when cornering or they feel jittery.

Also the hyo R's are quite sensitive to the rider leaning on the bars - over a certain angle of lean they will tip and dive deeply into the corner - most unsettling. Best get your weight right off the bars and then the bike is stable and predictable.

All down to the quality (or rather lack) of the suspension and the adjustment of that suspension.

[CookMySock]

All down to the quality (or rather lack) of the suspension and the adjustment of that suspension.

I am sure. Concisely, what suspension characteristics would you associate with both of those traits?

Steve

[Mental Trousers]

Wrong weight springs and inadequate damping. Can't get more precise than that over the net.