Climb off or stay onboard?

**slofox** · 11th September 2008, 14:22

The modern superbikers all seem to climb way off the bike in the corners. This practice seemed to appear in the early seventies - maybe related to the advent of the then popular two-stroke race bikes, all of which produced tons more oomph than their British predecessors...like Norton's AJ's, Gold Stars etc etc.
I can see the point of hanging way out there at the speeds the modern day bikes achieve - the tyre angle is reduced etc etc. But I question the need for this degree of "overhang" unless you are on the track and pushing it hard.
Hugh Anderson, in his day, was one who had the reputation of "being at one" with his bike - ie he didn't climb all over the thing but stayed tucked in. He was great to watch - very much a part of the machine. Course he did most of his riding on smaller capacity bikes so may not have had the need to climb all over. That said, I personally like to stay tight with the bike most of the time, although if I do cock up and find myself in a corner too fast, then a little judicious overhang does do wonders......
What do others think? Anyone else like me - a throwback to the olden day tight style? Or am I just an anachronistic dinosaur, heading for extinction and the great race track in the sky?

**jim.cox** · 11th September 2008, 14:30

Seems to me to depend on the bike

Hanging off my Hailwood is just a complete waste of time

But I LOVE getting my knee down on the newer Ducatis

YMMV

**Gremlin** · 11th September 2008, 14:36

Originally Posted by slofox

I can see the point of hanging way out there at the speeds the modern day bikes achieve - the tyre angle is reduced etc etc. But I question the need for this degree of "overhang" unless you are on the track and pushing it hard.

Its also fun... bike there, you here, close to the deck with almost nothing beneath you, guiding it through the corner etc

For hours of riding in tight twisty roads, it sure adds a good workout as well, if you are constantly climbing around the bike. Also depends on the bike. Fun to hang off the zx10, but I don't go that far off anyway, the cb900, its easy just to sit still, and flick the bike from side to side.

**xwhatsit** · 11th September 2008, 14:36

Hanging off GiJoe1313's RZ250 (but not too far) made sense -- the tyres are square and ancient, and don't like to lean very much. Hanging off a TRX850 didn't cause anything to go wrong but didn't do very much other than make me feel like a Cool Dude -- then again, I wasn't pushing it very hard. Hanging off my 250RS does not feel good at all; I think the geometry and design is just all wrong. Once the pegs touch I just lean my shoulders/head across further, does the same job with less wankery.

Hanging off a Super Cub will cause the bike and you to topple over.

**imdying** · 11th September 2008, 14:36

Hanging off is fun, riding bikes to me is about having fun, so hanging off it is! On the RGV, and being 6 foot, hanging off is compulsory, else it's hard to get my foor back far enough on the peg to keep it outta the way of the ground in comfort.

**mouldy** · 11th September 2008, 14:39

You only need to hang off if everything is dragging on the ground , it looks ridiculous hanging off when the bike is hardly leaning over .

**MSTRS:Me** · 11th September 2008, 14:41

No need to hang off at all. A little bit of 'kiss your mirror' is fine, good even, but anything more is either pose value - or you are riding too hard for the road.

**texn** · 11th September 2008, 14:57

hang off! even if it serves no purpose.....gotta look good.....

**henry** · 11th September 2008, 15:08

Do what ever makes you feel comfortable.

**R6_kid:Me** · 11th September 2008, 15:14

'hanging off' brings your COG closer the ground, meaning that the bike itself doesnt need to lean as much to take a given turn at a higher speed.

What this means is that you can lean off a bit/or a lot if you please and you'll be giving yourself a little bit extra lean angle in case you need it, or you can use that lean angle anyway and go faster.

Getting your knee down is certainly more of a track-only thing.

But be warned, swinging from side to side over the course of a 4-5hr ride through the twisties is going to work your legs pretty hard and may require a HTFU pill, or just leave you walking a bit funny for a day or two afterwards.

**imdying** · 11th September 2008, 15:15

Originally Posted by nodrog

id go with hang off, because if you fall off you will be closer to the ground, less distance to fall, hence lessoning your chance of breaking your bones and getting injured.

Unless it high sides you the other way, then it's further to fly, more momentum, more broken bones

**koba** · 11th September 2008, 15:31

yeah, all depends on the bike and/or riding situation.
Even on the track in long sweeping corners it can be better to stay closer to the centreline of some of the slower (streetstock at least) bikes.

**CookMySock** · 11th September 2008, 15:42

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Its also fun... bike there, you here, close to the deck with almost nothing beneath you, guiding it through the corner etc

Fun? it's godlike! Its funny watching the look on cagers faces coming the other way, especially if theres two bikes tight..

Classic!!

Steve

**Warr** · 11th September 2008, 17:25

Have ridden behind guys that are firmly planted in their seats but generally they are behind

To me if the metal bits are dragging its time to slow down or move your butt and for me the latter works fine.

**eelracing** · 11th September 2008, 17:41

One of the great things with riding bikes over say driving a car is the fact that the riders body has a direct influence on handling.I say instead of sitting there like a lump use a bit of body english and get experimenting.It might look a bit wanky on the road but its still learning new stuff for when you may need it.