Characteristics of a bike that’s good for hanging off?

**MotoGirl** · 16th December 2008, 12:43

Well, after having some fun on Cajun’s 600 at Taupo over the weekend, it’s occurred to me that some bikes are more confidence inspiring to hang off than others. I don’t know if it’s the shape of the 600’s tank or the seat’s slippery vinyl but I felt like I was going to fall off the side of the bike.

This has got me thinking about whether some bikes are better for hanging off than others. And if they are better, why so?

If I take my RSVR as an example, its tank has a nice wee cubbyhole that holds your leg in it. There’s no feeling like you could slide off because you’re glued in place. Its shape is a lot more radical than the Gixxer.

Maybe I just need to take the RSVR to the track

**vifferman** · 16th December 2008, 12:44

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

Maybe I just need to take the RSVR to the track

Maybe you do.

Can't tell you about hanging of the VFR - never been in a position to need to try it. But I'd imagine that what you said about the seat and somewhere to park your knee are true. I reckon having either a low seat, or short seat to pegs distance would help too.

**AlBundy** · 16th December 2008, 12:46

Maybe you need more seat time on the Suz... Just, you know, to see if you can find the sweet spot...

But yeah, they all differ and some just feel more natural than others.

**MotoGirl** · 16th December 2008, 12:48

Originally Posted by vifferman

Maybe you do.

You looking for a race, au?

I'd have to bring out the big guns and pretend to be dead or something

**boomer** · 16th December 2008, 12:55

all the weight should be on ya feet.. then your knees just act as guides..?

**madbikeboy** · 16th December 2008, 12:57

Umm, I find the thou much easier to hang off the side, the tank isn't slippery, but it's not grippy either. My body just fits it correctly. I find v-twins harder, they feel skinny to me, and I can't get the purchase I'd like.

I'm going to put grippy stuff on the 600 when the tank gets painted, but it's closer to the thou.

I find R6's and R1's the next best.

Interestingly, I don't like the later fireblades for much the reason you describe, although I've never articulated it before.

**MotoGirl** · 16th December 2008, 13:29

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

Interestingly, I don't like the later fireblades for much the reason you describe, although I've never articulated it before.

That would mean I'm not nuts

I never tried hanging off my GSX-R1000 and I imagine it would be much the same as the 600.

**MotoGirl** · 16th December 2008, 13:32

Originally Posted by boomer

all the weight should be on ya feet.. then your knees just act as guides..?

Yep, but it's a lot more reassuring when your knees aren't sliding off something. I'd be interested to hear the perspective of people who have got that Stompgrip stuff to see why they put it on their bike.

**AlBundy** · 16th December 2008, 14:16

Maybe you could ask Cajun to not polish the seat next time...

**MotoGirl** · 16th December 2008, 14:54

Good plan

It's due for a new cover so I think we'll go for some slightly grippier vinyl next time too!

**Badjelly** · 16th December 2008, 15:29

This thread is about sex, isn't it?

**Rodney007** · 16th December 2008, 15:35

its probably the genral feel of the bike that gives you the confidence to hang off more... tank shape etc may influence that too..

hanging off is the easy part, leaning it far over is where the bike diferences start coming alive

stop grip is for softies... the bikes would come with it as standard if they needed it

**AlBundy** · 16th December 2008, 15:39

Originally Posted by Rodney007

stop grip is for softies... the bikes would come with it as standard if they needed it

Not always... Riders come in all shapes and sizes so it isn't always one size fits all...
Plus
Rider confidence counts for a lot. Being comfortable on a bike is a large percentage of said confidence... It's probably easier to change a bike a bit to suit the rider, than to change ones style to suit the bike.

**boomer** · 16th December 2008, 15:47

Originally Posted by MotoGirl

Yep, but it's a lot more reassuring when your knees aren't sliding off something. I'd be interested to hear the perspective of people who have got that Stompgrip stuff to see why they put it on their bike.

squeeze .. just liek in the cowgirl position :P

**boomer** · 16th December 2008, 15:50

Originally Posted by Rodney007

its probably the genral feel of the bike that gives you the confidence to hang off more... tank shape etc may influence that too..

hanging off is the easy part, leaning it far over is where the bike diferences start coming alive

stop grip is for softies... the bikes would come with it as standard if they needed it

you've obviously never been over 160kph.. huh honduh boy :P