This may come as no surprise to a lot of you

[phorensic]

The more I ride with the lower half of my body, the better I ride. Also referred to as squeezing the bike with your legs. Which I've now learned means using your core and back to hold on and ride as well.

I knew you were supposed to do that ever since I got my bike, and years before when I started riding dirt bikes, but it never really sunk in and to be honest it is hard to do. I have a bad back, like really bad, and I have a beer gut, so no core strength there to speak of LOL. I also have a hamstring that is torn in half, and a blown out knee. So riding with my lower half is kind of hard for more than a few minutes for me. So I've been forcing myself to do it more and more, for longer periods of time and in all situations.

It's like unlocking the secret to riding for me. I've been relatively stiff armed and putting a lot of pressure on my wrists, but now I'm starting to feel what riding should really feel like. It's amazing how smooth everything gets, how much faster and smoother you can corner, how little the imperfections of the road affect you, etc. It just feels right. And the kicker is, all I do is commute to work everyday! I'm not tearing up the track, and I don't really want to, but I sure am learning how to ride really well doing this.

[ryan.chin]

o

[csmith12]

That is just the beginning. There is at least 10 more things that will make you feel the same way. It's like seeing the light for the first time.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by phorensic

.......I have a bad back, like really bad, and I have a beer gut, ........I also have a hamstring that is torn in half, and a blown out knee.........

Your avatar is very misleading

[250rr]

Originally Posted by ryan.chin

o

.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Your avatar is very misleading

stop it!!!!! your ruining it for me.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by phorensic

I have a bad back, like really bad, and I have a beer gut, so no core strength there to speak of LOL. I also have a hamstring that is torn in half, and a blown out knee.

i think this is why they made cruiser bikes?

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by alex.s

i think this is why they made cruiser bikes?

That is debatable.
My first day ever on a bike was during MSF. First day I rode on a Kawi Eliminator cruiser. My midback, which tends to be the source of my troubles, was killing me at the end.
Next day I asked our instructor to get one of the beat up pregen 250s for me. Rode all day without any pain at all, except for the wrists and forearms... fixed that later. First 2-3 weeks on a 250 were somewhat painful while the core stabilized.

Nowdays I get bad lowerback pain if I'm slabbing or riding a round robin 1st session (even after stretches) at really low speeds. As soon as speed limit is lifted and you really start working all the muscles all the pain goes away.

[alex.s]

speed limit? whats that? they have speed limits on your tracks? wtf is that?

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by alex.s

speed limit? whats that? they have speed limits on your tracks? wtf is that?

Round robin has everyone following an instructor in first session of the day, who takes it easy for a few laps. Most of the track orgs here have it except for the advanced/racer group which I'm not in yet.

[alex.s]

ewwwww

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by alex.s

ewwwww

Hey, we're noobs down here in Texas.

[NewbieNinja]

Didn't think anyone would have that problem with the Ninja's upright seating.

[phorensic]

Sitting in a chair in front of a computer hurts my back more than 72 miles of commuting per day on the Ninja.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by RedOctober

Round robin has everyone following an instructor in first session of the day, who takes it easy for a few laps. Most of the track orgs here have it except for the advanced/racer group which I'm not in yet.

This is fine for novice but intermediate group as well? That's just effed up.

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by csmith12

This is fine for novice but intermediate group as well? That's just effed up.

Depends on track org.
Ridesmart has RR in both beginner and intermed.
TrackTactics beginner do 2 RR sessions in the morning. Intermediate does 1 RR and 2nd session has 2 laps behind instructor and then off on your own. But TT intermed pace in RR is fast.
LSTD has no concept of RR

[RockyCapone]

One of the biggest keys to dirtbike riding/racing is to grab the tank with your thighs I've been doing that ever since I got on my Ninja just out of reflex. BUT on a dirtbike you really dont sit ever, and the only time I stand up on the motorcycle is for speed bumps or I got my underware riding up me bum. lol. I really only grab the tank when I turn at any speed or if its windy out and I'm getting pushed all over the expressway.

[02337]

I learned about grabbing the tank and relaxing upper body about 2 months ago in the wind so now I pretty much do it constantly and sometimes to the point where I literally feel I could squish the tank between my legs.
Result:huge tumorous looking leg muscles my girlfriend is fond of.

[RedOctober]

Sitting lightly on the seat while gripping tank with your knees is the key.

On highway, I just sit back in the seat and try to relax. I don't like straight riding.
On back roads, I'm always barely sitting on the seat. Yeah, it's a leg workout, but it's worth it bc that unexpected bump in a turn will not surprise and upset you and the bike. Well, it'll surprise you but the impact wont transfer through your body into your arms.

[Miles_Prower]

And if you are riding on bumpy crappy roads like I do on the way to work daily, not only squeeze with your legs but push down on your pegs a little to act as shock absorbers. Makes the bumps feel like ocean waves or something.

Agreed though, once I started learning to carry my weight through my core and legs, leaning and taking turns felt so much better and easier.

edit: oh just actually read your post above Andrei, scanned the first and second sentences before posting lol

[IdRatherDrum]

Once I get a bike I will be sure to try this out.