Knee drag frustrations....

[chrism650]

about the footpegs that the other guy just posted... does footpeg adjustment matteR? im 160 about 5'11. on my gsxr 600 i adjusted the stock pegs a lil higher just to try something new.

 

[ucb]

I have aftermarket rear-sets and can still drag all over. If they are higher, it simply gives you more ground clearance, you should be able to swing out your knee just as easily and put it down if you speed and lean angle are sufficient

 

[Fast Turtle]

Yeah that was a bad session for gixxers :|

Glad you are healed up! Like I said, it took me hella long to drag (at the track)

Just as everyone on barf says, it's merely a byproduct of speed. Once you get fast enough your knee will touch

Ummmm, speed, lean angle and PROPER body position. I can't tell you how many people I have seen over the years increase their speed and therefore their lean angle without the requisite body position and end up on their heads.

 

[ap430]

What is the ideal rearset position??? for a tall person like me 6 foot.

I have played around with mines a lot, and can not seem to figure it out. The lower I go its more comfortable yes, but I sacrifice the lock I have onto the tank. When I jack it up all the way to highest position I cramp up...

 

[megaspaz]

What is the ideal rearset position??? for a tall person like me 6 foot.

I have played around with mines a lot, and can not seem to figure it out. The lower I go its more comfortable yes, but I sacrifice the lock I have onto the tank. When I jack it up all the way to highest position I cramp up...

I've always went by whatever gets your leg to go with the contour of the tank in the natural riding position with the bike straight up.

 

[Burning1]

I have aftermarket rear-sets and can still drag all over. If they are higher, it simply gives you more ground clearance, you should be able to swing out your knee just as easily and put it down if you speed and lean angle are sufficient

A lower seat will help, though. I met a guy who could easily drag knee on his sportster.

 

[surfcityrider]

Oh, and +1 on knee dragging doesn't mean much. A lot depends on your bike height, your leg length, body position, etc. I've followed tall lanky guys who could drag knee all over the place, and never even got close until I went out to the track.

cycle61 you are right on bike height,your leg length,and position..cause I experienced that when I ride my F4i in the mtns. I can easily put a knee down but if I ride my 06 gixxer 750 the ground clearance is much higher and I tend to not touch down... but I'm running at the same pace.

 

[Burning1]

What is the ideal rearset position??? for a tall person like me 6 foot.

On the track, I used my outside leg to brace my body against the bike. I'd adjust the rear sets to a position that allows you to brace against the tank/frame/seat with your foot planted firmly on the peg.

On my GSX-R, the stock rear sets were a little too low -- when I hung off, it felt like my foot was going to slip off the peg.

For the street, I'd lower them and shift them forward for less knee pain.

 

[ucb]

Ummmm, speed, lean angle and PROPER body position. I can't tell you how many people I have seen over the years increase their speed and therefore their lean angle without the requisite body position and end up on their heads.

You mean 2 cheeks off while your head is square over the tank isnt the way to go?

 

[Underdog]

I've always went by whatever gets your leg to go with the contour of the tank in the natural riding position with the bike straight up.

that's how mine are setup-- lining up with the stomp grips. Oh yes, and I have a higher profiled 190/55.. lots of clearance makes me happy

 

[Panamahaha]

Sounds like he wishes he could drag his dick on public roads. Maybe he should experience carpet burns on his knees first.

 

[ap430]

I'm drunk an this thread is fucking dumb.... Yea???

 

[ap430]

On the track, I used my outside leg to brace my body against the bike. I'd adjust the rear sets to a position that allows you to brace against the tank/frame/seat with your foot planted firmly on the peg.

On my GSX-R, the stock rear sets were a little too low -- when I hung off, it felt like my foot was going to slip off the peg.

For the street, I'd lower them and shift them forward for less knee pain.

so you would "anchor" your outter leg to the tank/frame/seat as you "hang off" ?

 

[Spec-ECU]

Pics for you sir.

You bought those tires brand new? They're not take-offs? I think you're using too much lean for street riding. But maybe it was because you've been trying so hard to drag knee not too long ago.

What is the ideal rearset position??? for a tall person like me 6 foot.

I have played around with mines a lot, and can not seem to figure it out. The lower I go its more comfortable yes, but I sacrifice the lock I have onto the tank. When I jack it up all the way to highest position I cramp up...

I'm also a 6 footer, and have used a few rearsets on the track from Vortex to Sato's to stock. All worked fine for me regardless, but I find the comfort of the stock rearsets on my R6 allowed me to be very smooth on the bike. I do think it's also a matter of getting used to a rearset, so it's just about seat time.

 

[Dr. Evil]

its not the cambering

I gotta disagree with this. I may be entirely wrong, but I gotta disagree.

 

[EastBayDave]

It's not that big of a deal. As your skills increase, eventually you'll drag it so suddenly it may surprise you. I haven't dragged me knee in like 8 years (on a CSBS ZX6R @ SP), & don't find it really needed unless your running out of ground clearance, OR you need to support the front end from sliding out.

That IMHO is the very reason for dragging the knee; not just as a "feeler" or to impress yourself (it's fun tho isn't it?) But to support the front wheel when its sliding. Start to front-end lowside? Pressure that knee contact patch & it kinda "comes back" & you don't bail. I believe this is due to transfer of weight back toward COG of the bike. (correct me here folks?)

Especially effective if you got a specific corner on the track where your having front end traction/pushing problems. Just go in hanging it out, both tires sliding & on the knee...if the front slides too much- you pressure your knee & traction returns. I lost count of the times I saved meself from a face plant that way. There is a limit, & experimenting w/this I found it a few times....best tried on the track where you hit the same turn every few minutes...best to be intimate with the tires your running...

Supporting the front tire w/your knee is kinda high-end racer thing, I don't know if I should be saying this to street riders. I don't expect those kind of speeds on the street for the most part....

FYI IMHO

 

[Ironbutt]

Hey.. first things first.. if you can tell what speed your going.. then your not looking far enough down the road.

And because of that.. You're probably in the wrong gear on the brakes or off the gas at the wrong time and not to mention trying entirely too hard and thinking too much.

Start with the basics.. learn them inside out.. attain 'Motorcycle Mushin' (no mind, no thought) then drag knee, snoflow san.

Did I mention basics? Can you ride in tight circles? Can you figure 8? Slowly? if not then learn slow first, then fast.

See.. it's like a first year martial arts student trying to follow his Sensei through his favorite kata.. it's possible.. but you'll look like a noodle.

The turn: it's a 30mph sweeper, slightly banked. I was hitting 60-70mph through it on my 06 R6. I did my technique properly, I think. I get my ass crack over the edge of the seat, open point my body in the direction of the turn with my leg jammed out as far and hard as possible, leaning over the tank and looking to the end of the turn. Despite several attempts, I was not able to get my knee to touchdown even once! I was pretty depressed.

Any thoughts on what I did wrong? and any suggestions on how to improve?

 

[ucb]

I gotta disagree with this. I may be entirely wrong, but I gotta disagree.

It's makes it a bit more challenging (and off-camber is a bit easier), but it's not what is preventing it. It's not like a tame mountain road is rocking the nascar bank

People drag knee in cambered turns all the time.

 

[11B]

You bought those tires brand new? They're not take-offs? I think you're using too much lean for street riding.

Not to entice the OP to lean lower than he's comfortable with (no crashing ), but tbh, measuring his chicken strips just by the photo provided is 1/8 inch, and that's not to scale. I'm guessing he has around 1/4 inch left and hasn't reached anywhere near max lean (even 1/8 inch is a big strip, lol!). Until you knock off all the tire writing and <- (arrows!) found on the side you have lots of room left imo.

If you wanna get the chicken strips off try a more upright and centered on the seat riding position. Plus it can be a lot more rewarding, funner, and safer imo. You won't look like a monkey to the cops so that's a plus . You'll be getting more lean angle and funner turns because of it. Although you'll be getting more lean angle you'll also be riding slower, which in my book makes it safer (even with more lean - to a degree ).

If you get the drag knee feeling again I'd suggest the TRACK, to at least familiarize yourself with the ins and outs. Of course, almost all of us are guilty of dragging knee on the street at sometime. Be safe!


Edit:

But to support the front wheel when its sliding.

Disagree biggie (more than big!) time ^^. Imo, if you save it, it's more luck than skill. Very often the front will go with little or no warning and happens lightning quick. If you're in a bad spot with the gas, brake, corner, or all the above , good luck!

You can go faster than 90% of the riders at any given trackday without ever moving your ass off the seat or sticking your knee out. Good luck.

+1, although being a monkey can be fun!

 

[Squid101]

you weren't leaning enough.

go faster

I suspect a crash analysis post shortly

yup