There are the new generation sport riders who really move their upper body off the bike on corners (and they look to racers like Ben “Elbows” Spies, Lorenzo, Casey Stoner)… Then there are older generation riders who move their lower bodies (when hanging off) but don’t believe in moving the upper body far from the center-line of the bike. One instructor who uses Supermotos in parking lots to train track riders says: (my summary) ‘those big upper body leans work when everything is “perfect” but just try it on one of these supermotos and you’ll see it’s not practical for real riding or racing.’ Old school racers like (the still fast and relevant)Troy Bayliss, and reams of club racers would agree… Then there are gymkhana style riders who manage tight turns and twist without ever really moving their bodies – they just stay pretty much straight in line with the bike. So which is right (i.e., which is best)? My guess is each of these are “right” for their given contexts…
Upper body leans can make a big difference in lessening the bike’s lean angle… So they are great for getting through a corner as fast as possible. In the main video above, notice where the upper body is: all the way off and lower than the tank (and yet there’s enough space for arm movement to make adjustments to the bars)! From this position (even while going straight) you can feel the drastic difference in the bike’s lean angle. And contrary to what some people say: expert riders who do this seem to have no trouble managing slides and wheel spin from this position. The downside to using so much body lean (or “hanging off” so much) is that it takes several moments to get in position and set up for a turn. It’s not something that can be done suddenly at the last moment…
The straight up riding position (on the other hand) is good for quick changes in direction. Gymkhana riders can do 12 turns in the amount of time a track rider will do just one; he has no time to get in a new position for every turn. The down side is that you can use up all of your lean angle at fairly low speeds.
An example of the straight-up riding style. Notice how the rider’s torso is always in line with the bike. In my opinion, this is the riding style that every rider must first master before experimenting with other cornering body positions.
Whereas the lower body only (or OLD School) riders try to split the difference between maneuverability and lessening lean angle. The down side is that some times the body movement can be ineffective (or counterproductive by being “crossed-up”) for the amount of effort it takes. It’s easier to “hang off” just with your lower body and cause your bike to lean MORE than if you didn’t – depending on where your upper body is positioned in relation to the bike.
An example of the lower body-only riding style that was the norm for road racing a decade ago… Notice how the torso is never very far from the standard riding position, but the lower body does all the work. Also, notice how this is similar to the supermoto style in the video below…
So which is best for you? You can experiment with all three and see what works for you. But in my opinion, every street rider needs to master and constantly reinforce the straight-up riding style first… because it allows the quickest *changes* in speed and direction, and on the street that is exactly what you need most… But as you do that – I think there’s a LOT to gained by experimenting and working on different cornering styles for the corners that you can prepare in advance for…
Not only do professional racers test out the bleeding edge of motorcycle technology, they test out the cutting edge of riding technology – so we ought to be able to benefit from both!
Any thoughts or tips concerning these cornering styles? Share the wealth in the comments section!
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