Do you sit or stand ?

**TwoSeven** · 2nd September 2005, 17:05

Ok, sometimes when I ask people about their style or technique for riding I get a glazed look which usually means the person is at the stage of hanging on for grim life, rather than fine tuning their riding style.

One of these technique things is whether you sit or stand on your bike when zooming round the track. Note, that its personal preference to which one you use, and I'm sure the people round here that teach this stuff properly will be able to correct me on it (I was tought to stand years ago, but didnt pay too much attention to the theory).

Anyhow, sitting basically means your ass is on the sit along with your body weight (some people like it because they can feel the back wheel more). Standing means your riding like a jockey does a horse (although thats an exagerated position).

The idea behind standing is that the feedback from the bike goes thru 4 points (hands and feet), your center of gravity is lower (thru the feet) and the bike can move around more (ie. stability).

So I have created a poll to find out who does what

I'll also post some pics (taken from the last 250 gp) that shows the differences (although my tape was a bit shitty, so quality sux).

Also, feel free to criticise, post abuse, discuss and all that. This is only my opinion based on something I learned - so if someone can explain better please do

**James Deuce** · 2nd September 2005, 17:08

MAy I clear up one point of confusion? Standing does not lower the CoG of the bike. Lowering the attachment point of one mass to another, does not lower the CoG of the combined object.

If I'm riding at the "pace" (see the article Bren posted) on the road, the butt is firmly on the seat.

If I'm on a track the seat is only there to put my bum on when I try to get as tucked in as possible on a straight.

**TwoSeven** · 2nd September 2005, 17:12

he he.. You could at least wait till I've pressed the submit button before replying - I was still typing the post

edit: Yes, sorry, I ment the cog as jim2 says. Also, this is not for road riding. Its in the racing section as I mean it for learning racecraft stuff, not roadcraft stuff

Anyhow, in these two pics, the chap is sitting (cant remember the riders name). Hopefully you can see ass in seat. In the next couple of frames which I have omitted, the rear of the bike steps sideways pulling the rider with it, then straightens up. The second pic is from the chap following.

**madboy** · 2nd September 2005, 17:13

I'm with the glazed look option...

Nah, I sit most of the time, only standing when I'm hanging. But since I'm pretty useless I do more sitting than standing. But I'll work on it on Sunday at Manfeild. See if I can beat 1.28 (jeez I bloody should be able to!!)

**TwoSeven** · 2nd September 2005, 17:21

In this post, I have used casy stoner who is my current favorite rider, only because he was absolutely crap when he started in GPs and has improved in leaps and bounds.

Pic one is from danny pedrosas bike looking at stoner. Here stoner is standing (note that you are really just brushing your ass on the seat).

In pic 2, stoner has just come off the brakes. When braking he sits hard on the bike, then lifts himself up again. In this pic he is setting up is body for corner entry.

In pic 3, stoner should be standing, but is being a lazy begger and instead of using the underside of his thigh to brush the seat (note that his footpegs are adjusted to make his lef form right angles), he is actually resting on the side of the fairing since he is already set for the corner, there is nothing to do but wait, so he is taking a rest.

In pic 4 - classing high stand as he transfers to the left hand corner.

Pic 5 - is the left corner where he is still standing (no need to hang off).

**TwoSeven** · 2nd September 2005, 17:24

anyhow - apologies for buggered "speelin". I cant figure out how to edit the poll, and cant be bothered checking the rest.

**bugjuice** · 2nd September 2005, 17:28

I find myself doin the jockey style when the demanding twisties get goin. On longer roads, it's a great work-out on the legs! Else I just slide me ass either side but still taking most of the weight on my feet/legs..

**Motu** · 2nd September 2005, 17:35

Having started off road in the twin shock days,and being a trials rider - I prefer to stand...it's all about weight shifts and you can't do that sitting down.

It's good to see road riders finally applying dirt techniques to their sport.

**Coyote** · 2nd September 2005, 17:52

Didn't realise riders stood whilst racing. I'll have to try that

**Squiggles** · 2nd September 2005, 18:31

i prefer sort've hovering above my seat.... being the lazy guy i guess

**Two Smoker** · 2nd September 2005, 18:58

When racing, i am sitting on the bike when accelerating and braking, although when braking i am getting off the seat and transfering my weight in preperation for the corner... when in mid corner i am off the seat, where i am trying to put as much weight on the outside peg and a little weight in the inside peg...

When road racing (isle of man styles) on the straights and slight corners i am putting the weight on the pegs not the seat so the bike can sort itself out when it hits undulations in the road (getting little wiggles etc) and cornering technique is the same as the above racing...

**FROSTY:Me** · 2nd September 2005, 21:03

I use a combination of both or should I say all 4 tequniques -Well ok in that perfect world I do.
Every corner or combination of corners dictates a different way of being dealt with

**mattt** · 2nd September 2005, 21:19

On straights my ass is seated, but once you're tackling the twisties I stand on the pegs. I guess you get good leverage on the bars for counter steering, and the bike will move quicker from left lean angle to the right... or something....