MotoGP - Rossi question

**fishb8nz** · 21st July 2009, 13:33

Watched the German GP and it was awesome. Why do riders cock a leg out? I saw Rossi and Stoner, both doing it.
I like car racing too, but nothing compares to those guys - even my wife enjoyed it - lead changing about 6 time!!

**humphrt** · 21st July 2009, 14:39

I watched it too. It was pretty awesome but nothing like Catalunya a couple of weeks back. Anyway as far as cocking their legs out i seem to remember the comentator mentioning that Rossi had been questioned about it and he said he had no idea why he did it. They did suggest that it could be the riders "blocking" passing manouvers, or maybe its the same as dirt bikers and it helps with stability?

**2wheeldrifter** · 21st July 2009, 14:48

I heard that it helps with braking by creating more drag on the bike....

**cowboyz** · 21st July 2009, 14:49

I heard skidmark suggested it and rossi idolizes skiddy so much he just has to do it.

**Deano** · 21st July 2009, 14:51

Originally Posted by humphrt

They did suggest that it could be the riders "blocking" passing manouvers, or maybe its the same as dirt bikers and it helps with stability?

I'd go for the stability option......the way those guys fight for the lead, if someone stuck an appendage

out too far it would just get run over.

**johan** · 21st July 2009, 14:52

he is obviously farting

**2wheeldrifter** · 21st July 2009, 14:54

Here's a pic.... more weight on the front end....

**vifferman** · 21st July 2009, 14:58

We've had this question before, but because you're too lazy / stupid / important to look for it, I will tell you. Rossi started doing it almost accidentally, and it seemed to help, so it became a habit. He only does it on tight corners that are not close to other ones. He said "it somehow feels right", so he continues to do it. Other riders (but not all) have copied him because they figured if it was giving him some advantage - no matter how slight - this could make the difference over the course of a race - a few hundredths here'n'there could be the difference between winning and losing.
Rossi said he was going to charge these guys a Euro per corner for copying him.

Logically considered, it could make a small difference in that it's shifting the mass further towards the centre of the corner than just hanging off and sticking out a knee does.

**mashman** · 21st July 2009, 14:59

Only reason i do it is to loosen the tightening garment from around my groin before throwing my knee out, so as to avoid popping a testicle into my throat...

**ArcherWC** · 21st July 2009, 15:01

i used to do it occasionly just to streach my leg out, its pretty cramped on a race bike

**Mystic13** · 21st July 2009, 15:05

I have no idea why and possible reasons are?

- to improve blood circulation.
- to create more drag to slow down quicker.
- to have a stretch.
- to move more weight further back on the bike when braking.

Google might know.