Why? - knee

razorgamez · March 6th, 2012, 03:25 PM

Hey guys,
I've been really curious after watching a few vids about something I see very commonly. Most people stick out their knee when going through twisties.....why do they do that?

here is a link to a vid to see what i mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1Qg...9bR&playnext=2

Alex · March 6th, 2012, 03:30 PM

/moved to riding skills

outasight20 · March 6th, 2012, 03:33 PM

More lean angle, better gauge of lean angle. Basically, to go faster

Whiskey · March 6th, 2012, 06:51 PM

It's so they can judge how far over they are, if you roll on while too far over you'll lose the rear & lowside, see prime example below.

There's no real need to do it on a public road, but if you have the skill & wide enough tyres why not...

Link to original page on YouTube.

drac · March 6th, 2012, 08:14 PM

Simply put.....the lower and further "inside" of a turn that you can get the center of gravity of you & the bike the faster through the turn you can go.

The more the mass(weight) is "inside and low" the less you have to lean the bike over.

Motofool · March 6th, 2012, 08:42 PM

As you can see in the video that you posted, some riders don't do it and still can turn relatively as fast as others.

The knee down is a natural consequence of relocating the rider's center of gravity towards inside the turn, while supporting the body against the tank with the other leg.

As the interior knee can and does drag on the road (for feeling more than for support), special protectors are used.

It is a style of riding that started in the 70's.
Previously, riders remained in line with the lean of the bike or just move the head and upper body out towards inside the turn.

Link to original page on YouTube.

RedOctober · March 15th, 2012, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razorgamez

Hey guys,
I've been really curious after watching a few vids about something I see very commonly. Most people stick out their knee when going through twisties.....why do they do that?

here is a link to a vid to see what i mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1Qg...9bR&playnext=2

It's not just the sticking out knee. Watch their body position: shifted in the seat into the turn, knee out, upper body shifted into the turn towards the mirror. This allows for maintaining the same speed with less motorcycle lean. Please don't try this at home without some instruction: just sticking your knee out while staying in the same upright position isn't going to help you.

Edit: Like the dumbass at 1:14. No gear, supporting his upper body with his arms, just sticking knee out.

choneofakind · March 15th, 2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskey

& wide enough tyres

Kevin2109 · March 15th, 2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskey

& wide enough tyres why not...

Ive seen the 250 so far over on a 120 rear...

Its not the width of the tire, its the compound of the tire

alex.s · March 15th, 2012, 11:06 AM

knee down so when your wheels are sliding out because you are drifting into the corner and your front gives out, you can prop the bike up on your knee and keep it up until it regains traction.

at least thats what todd grice does on the 250...

250rr · March 15th, 2012, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

knee down so when your wheels are sliding out because you are drifting into the corner and your front gives out, you can prop the bike up on your knee and keep it up until it regains traction.

at least thats what todd grice does on the 250...

I've actually wondered if that is part of why it is done. On twist of wrist 2 I believe this is demonstrated on their bike with the lateral bars.

Very cool.

csmith12 · March 15th, 2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250rr

I've actually wondered if that is part of why it is done. On twist of wrist 2 I believe this is demonstrated on their bike with the lateral bars.

Very cool.

he is kidding, he's serious.....

All joking asside, do not try to hold your bike up mid-corner with your knee sliding or no sliding. You "might", if your really, really, really lucky "save" a wreck by putting weight on the knee (all subject to random chances) but it's not going to gain you any lap time or address any safety concerns.

Do a search, you will find many threads on this topic. Some with great detail by talented riders.

Klondike1020 · March 15th, 2012, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskey

There's no real need to do it on a public road, but if you have the skill & wide enough tyres why not...

Link to original page on YouTube.

That video is the best high speed park job ever! Stacked his bike right in the pile lol

alex.s · March 15th, 2012, 12:09 PM

wide tires have nothing to do with getting a knee down.

some of the fast guys run the pirelli slicks in 90 front, 120 rear. stock is 110/130. they drag knee all day

250rr · March 15th, 2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

he is kidding, he's serious.....

Damn. I hate when I look like the noob that I am.

Ah, well.

kavo · March 15th, 2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac

Simply put.....the lower and further "inside" of a turn that you can get the center of gravity of you & the bike the faster through the turn you can go.

The more the mass(weight) is "inside and low" the less you have to lean the bike over.

Exactly, its mainly to change the centre of gravity (COG) during the turn. Turning on a motorcycle is all about gyroscopic forces (thats why you counter-steer)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

As you can see in the video that you posted, some riders don't do it and still can turn relatively as fast as others.

The knee down is a natural consequence of relocating the rider's center of gravity towards inside the turn, while supporting the body against the tank with the other leg.

As the interior knee can and does drag on the road (for feeling more than for support), special protectors are used.

It is a style of riding that started in the 70's.
Previously, riders remained in line with the lean of the bike or just move the head and upper body out towards inside the turn.

I felt that alot of those riders were forcing their knee down.

Kevin2109 · March 15th, 2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kavo

I felt that alot of those riders were forcing their knee down.

Like @ninja250!

Whiskey · March 19th, 2012, 05:56 AM

It may just be in my part of the world, but you can get sticky tyres, or a 130 width rear, not both.
I've yet to see a road legal 130/70/17 sports rear.

gt_turbo · March 19th, 2012, 08:44 AM

basically to look cool - everybody talks about draggin knees in the twistys. but sticking your knee out while straight up in a turn doesn't do anything for you but maybe cause drag and slow you down. moving your butt over one cheek to change the bike & rider's center gravity causes less lean angle on the bike when turning allows you to go faster around the corner. sticking the knee out while moved over is just for show mostly.

razorgamez · March 19th, 2012, 10:29 AM

good info...i know I won't be doing that anytime in the next few years, was just curious.

csmith12 · March 19th, 2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

As you can see in the video that you posted, some riders don't do it and still can turn relatively as fast as others.

Word! Touch and go...

March 6th, 2012, 03:25 PM	#1
razorgamez ninjette.org member Name: Neal Location: San Fran Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250r Posts: 99	Why? - knee Hey guys, I've been really curious after watching a few vids about something I see very commonly. Most people stick out their knee when going through twisties.....why do they do that? here is a link to a vid to see what i mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1Qg...9bR&playnext=2 __________________________________________________ ....(O_O)....(O_o)....(o_O)....(-_-)

March 6th, 2012, 03:30 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to riding skills __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 6th, 2012, 08:14 PM	#5
drac ninjette.org member Name: drac Location: VA Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '88 Hurricane 600, '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 237	... Simply put.....the lower and further "inside" of a turn that you can get the center of gravity of you & the bike the faster through the turn you can go. The more the mass(weight) is "inside and low" the less you have to lean the bike over. __________________________________________________ While no trees were harmed in making this post, a large number of electrons were severely inconvenienced.

March 6th, 2012, 08:42 PM	#6
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	As you can see in the video that you posted, some riders don't do it and still can turn relatively as fast as others. The knee down is a natural consequence of relocating the rider's center of gravity towards inside the turn, while supporting the body against the tank with the other leg. As the interior knee can and does drag on the road (for feeling more than for support), special protectors are used. It is a style of riding that started in the 70's. Previously, riders remained in line with the lean of the bike or just move the head and upper body out towards inside the turn. Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

March 15th, 2012, 11:06 AM	#10
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	knee down so when your wheels are sliding out because you are drifting into the corner and your front gives out, you can prop the bike up on your knee and keep it up until it regains traction. at least thats what todd grice does on the 250... __________________________________________________

March 6th, 2012, 03:33 PM	#3
outasight20 ninjette.org member Name: Weezy Location: Massachusetts Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 169	More lean angle, better gauge of lean angle. Basically, to go faster

March 6th, 2012, 06:51 PM	#4
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	It's so they can judge how far over they are, if you roll on while too far over you'll lose the rear & lowside, see prime example below. There's no real need to do it on a public road, but if you have the skill & wide enough tyres why not... Link to original page on YouTube.

March 15th, 2012, 12:09 PM	#14
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	wide tires have nothing to do with getting a knee down. some of the fast guys run the pirelli slicks in 90 front, 120 rear. stock is 110/130. they drag knee all day __________________________________________________

March 19th, 2012, 05:56 AM	#18
Whiskey ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Morgan Location: A city twinned with Kawasaki Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, 2010 STR 675 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	It may just be in my part of the world, but you can get sticky tyres, or a 130 width rear, not both. I've yet to see a road legal 130/70/17 sports rear.

March 19th, 2012, 08:44 AM	#19
gt_turbo ninjette.org sage Name: L Location: WI Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R, '13 CBR500R Posts: 709	basically to look cool - everybody talks about draggin knees in the twistys. but sticking your knee out while straight up in a turn doesn't do anything for you but maybe cause drag and slow you down. moving your butt over one cheek to change the bike & rider's center gravity causes less lean angle on the bike when turning allows you to go faster around the corner. sticking the knee out while moved over is just for show mostly.

March 19th, 2012, 10:29 AM	#20
razorgamez ninjette.org member Name: Neal Location: San Fran Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250r Posts: 99	good info...i know I won't be doing that anytime in the next few years, was just curious. __________________________________________________ ....(O_O)....(O_o)....(o_O)....(-_-)

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