Body Position for Short People (under 5'8")

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Dilemma: when I hang off the bike, it's hard to stay on.

Let me elaborate. While riding today, I was concentrating on body positioning. I do not hang off much because it's difficult for me to hook onto the tank with my outside leg and still have my foot on the peg. I tried to hang off more today, but when the bike became unsettled (read: went over a bump), my outside foot slipped off the peg. I already have my rearsets up as high as possible. I tried putting my foot higher on the outside peg (more towards the toe), but that took a heavy toll on my calves.

How does Toseland do it? How does Nakano do it? How do the short riders get their ass off the seat, yet keep their feet on the pegs?

[GPTECHMAN]

I have no idea how those other guys do it, I suspect that they have super high rearsets, but as for myself, I fall under the said catagory, and I have the peg(outside) on the ball of my foot and Im almost pointing my toes, so to speak as well as my heel digging into the heel guard....

by pointing my toe I can get my knee in that little ridge and let off pressure from my upper body

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Toseland

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Nakano

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Toseland

[LV_styles]

I'm at least a full inch shorter than you, and I had this same problem. I place my foot in a similar position to the pics you posted up, like the last one of Toseland. I actually tried using more of the ball/toe portion of my foot on the outside peg, but I don't feel as stable this way. The benefit to this method is quick transitions when flicking the bike from left to right.

What helped me learn to hang off with better body positioning was a combination of factors. I try to keep my head very low when looking through the turn (kiss the mirror). This creates a better set up for body position to really hang off. I use to think I was really far off, but I wasn't. didn't think I could hang off more, until I forced myself to slide my a$$ off the seat, and have confidence that I wasn't gonna fall off. Must be carrying enough speed, somewhat decent lean angle, and focus less on holding on for dear life.

Be confident that your knee will hit the ground, and try pushing yourself to improve your form all around as it appears you are doing. If you try solely to focus on one thing it will be difficult to improve your form because it is a combination of things that make it possible.

sorry, long post! hope it helps at least a little bit. i went through the exact same thing.

[speedster1219]

I myself at being 5' 8.5"...i have no problems.....

but I usually have the balls of my feet weighed on the outside of my feet....inside im not sure but I know I have trouble keeping it on sometimes as it slips off sometimes...I hang off more when I make right hand turns but not as much on left...which was surprising cause my knee went down in the double left hand turn yesterday..

[Shortee]

u got a whole 7 inches on me bro!!....hence the name :D

my outside knee is nowhere near the "knee groove" so i scoot up as far as i can against the tank and use my side and elbow to grip on...

it makes it easier cuz i end up on the balls of my feet by coming as far forward as i can...as for the inside foot placement, i dont need to worry bout it since i am quite far away from the ground!

this is just a thing that has worked personally for the littleness that is me....i try lotsa diff positionings since i am still trying to find my groove and learn what may be best for my situation :)

[CPM F4]

I find myself using the heel guard a lot for my outside foot. I'm on the ball of my foot and the heel is pushed up against the guard. I also try to brace my outside elbow against the tank. For my inside foot, I use the tip of the rearset which gives better leverage to help keep me up. This helps to keep my toe slider from scraping. The ball of my foot is on the end of the peg and my foot is pointed inwards. On right handers, my right foot is hanging off more so this technique keeps the tip of my toes up higher and away from the ground.

I use this technique for the slower tighter turns. For the fast sweepers, I close my eyes and hang on for dear life :-p.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Originally posted by LV_styles
I'm at least a full inch shorter than you, and I had this same problem. I place my foot in a similar position to the pics you posted up, like the last one of Toseland. I actually tried using more of the ball/toe portion of my foot on the outside peg, but I don't feel as stable this way. The benefit to this method is quick transitions when flicking the bike from left to right.

What helped me learn to hang off with better body positioning was a combination of factors. I try to keep my head very low when looking through the turn (kiss the mirror). This creates a better set up for body position to really hang off. I use to think I was really far off, but I wasn't. didn't think I could hang off more, until I forced myself to slide my a$$ off the seat, and have confidence that I wasn't gonna fall off. Must be carrying enough speed, somewhat decent lean angle, and focus less on holding on for dear life.

Be confident that your knee will hit the ground, and try pushing yourself to improve your form all around as it appears you are doing. If you try solely to focus on one thing it will be difficult to improve your form because it is a combination of things that make it possible.

sorry, long post! hope it helps at least a little bit. i went through the exact same thing.
Thanks for the tips. I'll practice the stuff you're talking about at my next track day. Forcing my a$$ off the seat is harder than I thought! How long before you had confidence you weren't going to fall off? I have been focusing on my upper body, and that helped immensely on my last track day. Working out has helped, too, but I haven't been doing enough of that lately.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Today I lugged the bike around in 5th and 6th gears on the Crest and surrounding roads. The point was to concentrate more on body positioning than throttle control. I moved the pegs about 1/2 cm forward; this helped me get my leg on the tank. I also attempted to mimic Toseland's version of leg wrapping -- where his leg is against the front portion of the tank as well. I combined this with the usual upper body positioning, and I felt more stable on the bike. Instead of flicking the bike hard into turns, I was smoothly countersteering into the gentle curves of the San Gabriel Mountains: a wonderful feeling.

You're right, LV_styles: a combination of things. It's a wonderful feeling when they all start coming together.

I keep learning and learning in this sport/hobby -- it's great!!!

[kc1717]

what if your too damn tall and your leg goes over the tank, and your elbo is below your knee,

what do you do then guys.


6'7" sucks way more than being your size on a bike, everything is made for you small people

[kc1717]

:(

[zeal]

I always have issues with my body position coz of my height. Balls of my feet are on the peg and I heel the outside leg as much as I can to lean over on the inside. The trouble for me is to get back on the bike after the turn. For one I never am able to stick the inside leg out for stability coz I use the inside leg and my arms on handle bars to get back on the bike coz my outside leg is way too stretched to provide any support :confused: and my outside leg slips from the tank occasionally :mad:, I dont seem to have a grip.

What do most of you do to get a grip on the tank?
When I try to stick my inside knee out, I end up having a hard time getting back on the bike :errf: . What am I doing wrong here :(?

BTW thanks dre_2k2_f4i for starting this thread, this post is informative

[cbrsmurf]

Well, have any of you guys tried not hanging off the bike so much?

I've found I am able to concentrate better on many other different things including body position when I'm not trying to keep myself from falling off the bike in midcorner. I'm 5'7" on a F3 with below average suspension and street/sport-touring tires -- I personally don't believe I need to hang off more and be uncomfortable. However, I will provide some pics.

[cbrsmurf]

Originally posted by kc1717
:(

that's a great picture! too bad the bike is a lil blurry, or it would have been a perfect photo.

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Originally posted by cbrsmurf
Well, have any of you guys tried not hanging off the bike so much?
The problem with me is that I am running out of clearance on the bike. I was never a big fan of hanging off, but it does seem essential to redistributing rider weight to give more clearance.

Perhaps this thread should be named: how to redistribute weight on the bike? If you look at Toseland, he's not "hanging off" so much as "rotating around the tank."

I hope that clarifies things.

[cbrsmurf]

are you using aftermarket rearsets dre? are your peg feelers off?

[GPTECHMAN]

he has satos

[kc1717]

Originally posted by cbrsmurf
are you using aftermarket rearsets dre? are your peg feelers off?

yeah rearsets make a huge difference.

i never touched a toe down on my r1 after rearsets, and now im draggin peg lot on my rr.

rearsets are really the only way to get some extra lean angle.

i cant wait to get a set, hopefully before next year

[melonheadR6]

Originally posted by kc1717
what if your too damn tall and your leg goes over the tank, and your elbo is below your knee,

what do you do then guys.


6'7" sucks way more than being your size on a bike, everything is made for you small people

damn my asian-ness! 5'9 :(

give me an inch or two case!

[kc1717]

Originally posted by GPTECHMAN
he has satos

well **** then, what about velcro-ing your bike, instead of a tank pad, just cover it all with velcro, then peel and lock that leg in place and your set

[kc1717]

Originally posted by melonheadR6
damn my asian-ness! 5'9 :(

give me an inch or two case!

as long as you take 15 lbs per inch its all yours, max of 4 inched for sale :)

[GPTECHMAN]

Dre you might wanna check out a tank bra or a stomp pad. They might give you the extra stick that you need to feel confident. Im looking to get a stomp pad when I can for my bike.

Also maybe you should practice hanging onto your bike when its parked....greg showed me how to hang off in my frickin garage...he had the kickstand down and showed me how to grip the tank with my leg and lay off pressure from my arms...

I transition my pulling up with my knee(where it meets the tank) and some with my bars...or so I think

I also think that greg's advice with stabilizing yourself on the outside with you arm on tank is a good tip....

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Originally posted by GPTECHMAN
Also maybe you should practice hanging onto your bike when its parked....greg showed me how to hang off in my frickin garage...he had the kickstand down and showed me how to grip the tank with my leg and lay off pressure from my arms...

I transition my pulling up with my knee(where it meets the tank) and some with my bars...or so I think

I also think that greg's advice with stabilizing yourself on the outside with you arm on tank is a good tip....
Thanks. I will hit you and others up for help on 7/31!

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Keep this thread alive!

I like the body positioning of this rider:

[GPTECHMAN]

Nice pic Dre, how were you feeling at big track, try anything new?

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Originally posted by GPTECHMAN
Nice pic Dre, how were you feeling at big track, try anything new?
Grr! I felt totally off. And my bike was not cooperating as well. I totally forgot to keep mind of my upper body position. I was feeling good a month prior, and then it all went to s#!t on 7/31. :D But I had a fun time, anyways (until my shifter joint seized).

Did you ever get a line on the stomp pads? I'll be looking to get those on the R6 one day. I think that would help me feel planted on my bike when hanging off. I was trying to hang off more on 7/31, but I never felt like I was "on" the bike -- more like "falling off" when I would try (so I didn't try much).

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Another of Toseland:

[Phamous]

Thats CE, can't wait to see him race this weekend...should be a contender for the podium next MotoGP in Brno.

As far as positioning, rearsets make a huge difference. I have rearsets from an 01 R1 on the 02 and they are way up there. I find my outside foot more towards the ball of my foot, and the inside is right on the ball. Your outside knee should be holding the tank where your inner thigh would normally rest. Try to imagine rotating around the tank, keep your upper body low and spine should be parallel to the bike. I have short legs so my inside leg doesnt stick out much, but i know when I start dragging i can go a little bit faster cause that is pretty near max lean angle on the R1 for me.

Hopefully something i just rambled off helps a bit....My brother has been real good about helping me get my form together...now i just need to go faster. :errf: Maybe he will chime in.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[GPTECHMAN]

I dont know how he hangs on especially with his outter leg in the air like that. Thats the leg that I grip the tank with....

Ono hasnt gotten back to me

[Phamous]

Originally posted by dre_2k2_f4i
Another of Toseland:

Looking like he's gonna have to hook up with Spies for some elbow sliders!

[Phamous]

Originally posted by GPTECHMAN
I dont know how he hangs on especially with his outter leg in the air like that. Thats the leg that I grip the tank with....

Ono hasnt gotten back to me

Duc's have a funky shaped tank...possibly he's inner thigh is holding him up?

[kc1717]

one of my favorites

[YuJinha]

5'4 and what I do it is like everyone else has said, balls of the feet on the pegs. More importantly, I don't so much as hang off as I just rotate around my tank. When I rotate and try to kiss my mirrors, versus just hanging off in a lateral motion, I can manage to get my outer leg to grip the tank because my crotch is still next to the tank (just off centered) verus way off the seat. It basically feels like I'm pusing my inner knee into my front tire, not out to my side. Then I relax the inner knee and soon enough, I'm dragging. I'm pretty sure I'm leaning a whole lot more to drag knee versus say kc1717 but I've never had a problem of feeling like I was falling off the bike this way.

[hans]

use your calf muscle to push down the ball of your foot, which also pushes your knee up into the tank. If you have problems with that then you need to buy boots that are more flexible, instead of these $300 overpriced, overly stiff ones that everyone seems to be wearing these days. They need to have a flexible toe box. You also should take a knife or a file to the sole of your boots to make them grip better so that you don't slip off the peg like you say you're doing. And like the other guy said, lock your heel and ankle against the heel guard. And finally, try to use your outside forearm and elbow as a brace against the tank.