Hanging off on the road (debate)

[acebobby]

One for the trackday guys,

Do you think its ok to hang off on the road?

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?

Any other opinions!

[jbrebel]

Totally pointless IMHO. I've seen people concentrate more on trying to hang off and end up going slower as a result.

The road is a completely different environment to the track. I spend my time working on road positioning and improving my observational skills which is of greater benefit to me.

Just my 2c worth

[Gazza]

Yes it does make you look like a tit.

I almost never do it, but on the occasions I have, I must admit I've felt a both quicker and safer. I frequently stick a knee out without moving my arse as it reduces the required lean angle a bit. Very useful when trying to make quick progress in the wet.

Important not to do it through blind bends as you will actually reduce your field of vision by bringing the vanishing point nearer.

[al]

I shift my weight around on the bike but more so I can brace my outer leg and keep the outer peg weighted up rather than any knee down shenanigans. Going by the photo's I've seen of my on track days you would hardly notice this to observe me riding.

Hanging off the bike as you see in the magazines will only end in tears and is completely unnecessary on the road. Those who I have observed doing this have inevitably ended up coming a cropper for one reason or another. To other road users it looks wild and as it you are riding on the limit, even when you are still within the speed limits. If the police spot you with the knee on the deck they will throw the book at you. As far as getting your knee down on the road is concerned, you need to be pretty sure of the road surface if you want to do it. How many race tracks have you seen with pot holes, man hole covers, changes in road surfaces, etc. mid corner ready to catch your slider?

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

[Zathos]

No need on the road.

Take a ride with Keith Henderson or the bikesafe guys and see just how quick a big tourer can hustle in the right hands. If you are going so fast that you need to lean off to make the corner, chances are you wont make it

[D3LS M]

Do you think its ok to hang off on the road?

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?

!

No

Yes

I've done hunners of TD's and know the benefits of it on the track, but since I got a Tuono for the road I see people hanging off now and ofted ride round the outside of them as they are holding me the f*ck up, looks stoopid and pointless....all of that is of course...IMO only

[acebobby]

No need on the road.

Take a ride with Keith Henderson or the bikesafe guys and see just how quick a big tourer can hustle in the right hands. If you are going so fast that you need to lean off to make the corner, chances are you wont make it

Ok, the thing is I dont hang off on the road, just wondering what people thought, and I have no doubt about how fast a well riden tourer can be riden, my dad rides an FJR and is always embarrassing blades, R1s etc!

[Big Little Dave]

No need on the road.

Take a ride with Keith Henderson or the bikesafe guys and see just how quick a big tourer can hustle in the right hands. If you are going so fast that you need to lean off to make the corner, chances are you wont make it

Ok, the thing is I dont hang off on the road, just wondering what people thought, and I have no doubt about how fast a well riden tourer can be riden, my dad rides an FJR and is always embarrassing blades, R1s etc!

Sounds like our dads have somethin in common

[metallninja]

I damn near always hang off on a sports bike.

Just the way I learnt to ride, None of my pals had bikes so I watched the "Fast bikes" videos. I blame that Shakey Byrne chap. I feel safer and more confident hanging off. In my case it's "just what you are used to". I'm not talking knee down poo here. I dont do it coz I think it looks cool either (apparently it doesn't).

Tuppence

[D3LS M]

I damn near always hang off on a sports bike.

Just the way I learnt to ride, None of my pals had bikes so I watched the "Fast bikes" videos. I blame that Shakey Byrne chap. I feel safer and more confident hanging off. In my case it's "just what you are used to". I'm not talking knee down poo here. I dont do it coz I think it looks cool either (apparently it doesn't).

Tuppence

Hanging off is all fine and well on the road if yer going fast, but if yer hanging off and holding people up on the corners, you will look a tit HTH

[al]

I damn near always hang off on a sports bike.

Just the way I learnt to ride, None of my pals had bikes so I watched the "Fast bikes" videos. I blame that Shakey Byrne chap. I feel safer and more confident hanging off. In my case it's "just what you are used to". I'm not talking knee down poo here. I dont do it coz I think it looks cool either (apparently it doesn't).

Tuppence

Looks even better with gloves!

[metallninja]

Hanging off is all fine and well on the road if yer going fast, but if yer hanging off and holding people up on the corners, you will look a tit HTH

I quite agree! Whilst certainly not the fastest out there, I wouldn't say I hold many people up

[al]

Hanging off is all fine and well on the road if yer going fast, but if yer hanging off and holding people up on the corners, you will look a tit HTH

I wouldn't say I hold many people up

I guess I know who not to have around when I'm pished !!

[abjectblitz]

Better learning concious counter steering instead, far more useful in making a unforeseen tightening bend.

[johncat68]

Each to their own way of riding a bike

Been a nice weekend and seen lots of bikes on road
with riders/pillion with just t-shirts, jeans and trainers on

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?
whats the opinion on that one?

[abjectblitz]

Each to their own way of riding a bike

Been a nice weekend and seen lots of bikes on road
with riders/pillion with just t-shirts, jeans and trainers on

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?
whats the opinion on that one?

No it makes you look like a tit only to the leathers only brigade.

[Gazza]

Each to their own way of riding a bike

Been a nice weekend and seen lots of bikes on road
with riders/pillion with just t-shirts, jeans and trainers on

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?
whats the opinion on that one?

No it makes you look like a tit only to the leathers only brigade.

I think you'll find a it's to a lot more than just that.

[Crazy Turbo Beast]

No it makes you look like a tit only to the leathers only brigade.

Saw a rider and pillion on a gixxer in orlando last year.
They were wearing beachware...

No idea about her tits but her arse was nice.

[acebobby]

Each to their own way of riding a bike

Been a nice weekend and seen lots of bikes on road
with riders/pillion with just t-shirts, jeans and trainers on

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?
whats the opinion on that one?

There is no law against it so its up to the individual!
I personally dont skrimp on protective clothing, about 9 years ago I got a front tyre puncture mid corner at about 60 mph, it was a left hander and I ended up veering across the road and hitting a wall side on completely destroying the ligiments and tendons in my right foot, I was wearing protective gear in that crash and I can assure you I never walked away! I had treatment for over a year and will walk with a limp the rest of my life, had I been wearing t-shirt, jeans and trainers, not worth thinking about really!

Bobby

[Gazza]

had I been wearing t-shirt, jeans and trainers, not worth thinking about really!

Bobby

Possibly you would have been going a bit slower and not fallen off.

[acebobby]

had I been wearing t-shirt, jeans and trainers, not worth thinking about really!

Bobby

Possibly you would have been going a bit slower and not fallen off.

60s not really fast, and a mid corner front tyre puncture is virtually impossible to save, even at 30 If you could save it you would have to pick the bike up and go onto the wrong side of the road!

[Gazza]

had I been wearing t-shirt, jeans and trainers, not worth thinking about really!

Bobby

Possibly you would have been going a bit slower and not fallen off.

60s not really fast, and a mid corner front tyre puncture is virtually impossible to save, even at 30 If you could save it you would have to pick the bike up and go onto the wrong side of the road!

A lower speed will have been a different line. You'd have missed the nail.

[acebobby]

A lower speed will have been a different line. You'd have missed the nail.

I can't believe it's not butter! good one

[brooner]

Been a nice weekend and seen lots of bikes on road
with riders/pillion with just t-shirts, jeans and trainers on

Does it just make you look like a tit to other road users?
whats the opinion on that one?

Personally it makes me shudder a bit, seeing folk without full PPE (for want of a better phrase) on, just because of the 'what if?' possibilites.

This is debate raises its head every year once we have a wee bit of heat, some are for, some against.
What ever your point of view, be careful out there

[Ratz]

said it before

sliding along road in full gear - visit to hospital with gravel rash, out same day
sliding along road in jeans and tshirt - visit to hospital for skin grafts, out in weeks/months

i know which id rather have happen and yes we all know that full gear doesnt save you if you hit a lampost etc but it lessens the impact of any minor offs

as for the hanging off style of riding. if your comfy doing it and your riding isnt compromised then to be fair there is nothing wrong with it. yes it does "look" agressive/dangerous/wild and may get you into trouble when you werent doing owt wrong
however if its either bravado, copying rossi, or the like then why bother putting another distraction in the way of what is already a very dangerous past time? thats brown bread riding and will only end in tears