RE: [ST] track day report --

["Heyer, Matthew A." <mheyer@xxxxxxxxx>]

<SNIP>

I really don't think its all bike !)  What I was talking about was the
rider's position on the bike.  You guys both had your bikes leaned way
over, but you were still fairly straight on the bike, whereas Rossi (and
all the others) were way off the bikes, nearly dragging their whole
lower leg.

<SNIP>

The thing about this, is the reason you get your body/weight over to one
side of the bike, is that in doing so the bike will turn with less lean.
For example, if you take turn "x" at speed "y" and don't get your weight
off to the side of the bike, you'll be leaning the bike over a certain
amount.  Now take that same turn "x" at speed "y" and get your weight
over, and the bike can actually make the same turn with the bike more
upright (as viewed from the back).  Most casual riders don't use their
weight as much as they can.  So, (if they are riding aggressively) the
bike leans far, drags pegs, and gets rid of "chicken strips" from the
tires - and the knee (and elbow in extreme cases) doesn't come near the
ground.

On the flip side, you can use your weight a lot on the street, never
drag a peg and still have chicken strips - as the bike will do the same
turns without being leaned over as much.

What is amazing about the pros is that they are using all of
everything!!  The bike is leaned to it's limit dragging stuff, AND they
have their weight way out over the side of the bike to get it to turn
even harder yet.  And yes - that is trust and confidence in the tires
and the road surface.


Matt Heyer


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