Sometimes these threads get a bit too detailed and then, incorrect for their own good. First, I'm not sure I've seen data that shows using/ having less suspension travel is a good thing nor that it's less effective leaned over. This isn't a car suspension, its a bike and its job function is most important when at lean angle. Second, the suspensions primary job is to deal with surface imperfections and it is more important to do so at max lean angle, not minimum lean angle...min lean angle just makes for an uncomfortable ride...max lean angle puts you on on the ground if the suspension isn't set up correctly. In short, tune a suspension for lean angle, not straight up and down riding. You want more travel in a corner, not less. A suspension that has too little compression or is too stiff tends to have a contact patch that's less consistent....you want a compliant front / rear end that you can, as a rider, manipulate with the brake/ gas.
Second: lean angle is not contact patch. Weight shift/ location IS contact patch. A rider can control contact patch two ways: shifting body weight (forward/ back) and applying throttle or brake. On a bike, a rider can only affect the relative weight on either the front or rear tires and thus increase or decrease the front or rear contact patches. Riders who sit too far back in faster corners lose front end contact patch frequently, hence the reason the motogp style has shifted to put the rider not more out, off the bike, but rather, tucked up against the side of the bike and very far forward. They're looking to maintain front tire contact patch (the one thing these bikes can't do with electronics yet) coming off of a corner.
Lastly, lean angle equals steering angle. With the newer "slow in, fast out" instructionals most riders are using now (which becomes "fast in, fast out" as riders get towards the front of their grids), there needs to be a point where a bike achieves max lean angle and thus, performs its steering phase. As a rider, it's better to have this phase (max lean angle) be as short as possible. It's also more beneficial to carry more lean angle for a shorter period of time, than less lean angle for a longer period of time (generally). That is one of the easier things to see with all of our Moto GP stars, especially as they come off the corners. It's important to remember, picking the bike up off the corner using body positioning (to pick the bike up AND maintain front tire contact patch while applying throttle) also helps in grip and tire longevity. Remember, with,st modern tires, edge grip should not be used as drive grip....newer riders wonder why they keep tearing tires. A considerable reason is due to using edge grip as drive grip as well as ham fisting the throttle on exits (and thus transferring weight rearward too quickly, not loading the rear contact patch progressively), and lastly (and according to Corey Nuer at CT Racing), not getting enough heat in the tire due to not loading the tire correctly.
An all this is better learned on the track and thn applied on the street. The "feel" of a bike at the limit is the most important thing learned in racing and at the track. Overall, riding like a dickhead on the street has killed a multitude more of my friends than ever in racing and trackdays.
Be safe all...and remember, it's all about how to control your contact patches IMO!
