How to Corner a Dirt Bike Like TOMAC | Feet On The Pegs

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In recent times we've seen top pros like Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton, and Ken Roczen tearing around corners while keeping their feet on the pegs. But why do they do this, what are the benefits, and how can you implement this technique into your riding to go faster around corners? In this video, Chase and Riley Brough from the RMX Academy go over some tips and riding techniques for keeping your feet on the pegs and cornering a dirt bike like the pros!
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[@eric6rock]

I remember i was on the lime bikes (i haven't been riding in a long time) I was always on my balls of my feet, Standing up, Elbows up, Head Up, Hips Unlocked the technique is really good for speed and slow areas. It's amazing i haven't had a bad get off yet when i was riding always with the proper technique. Grateful for Ryno, AJ Cat, Mx Factory, and of course Rocky Mountain. 👍

[@powerwagon3731]

If ET is in the thumbnail I click on it! Single track riders should ride on the pegs especially when things get tough and you want to sit down.

[@tcrides2137]

All good points made, motocross has changed so much since I was a kid. Wow I'm old, but still love dirtbikes

[@davidj.diehlii6607]

I really like the control and balance it gives you. Also conserves energy and simplifies the cornering process.

[@rmatvmc]

I agree 100% - Chase

[@leroywilliams7210]

My dad taught me to always keep my feet on the pegs 40 years ago! Trail riding he always said you have more control and considerably less likely to catch a root, rut, rock, etc. and get injured. Took me years to start trying inside foot off and now I think I found a balance of when and where to use each.

[@rmatvmc]

I agree 100%. There is a balance to using both techniques. - Chase

[@localenterprisebroadcastin5971]

I ride dirt and street…I’ve always kept my feet on the pegs…granted I’m not trying to win races I’ve just learned over the years that you have much more balance and ankle injuries suck 😂

[@jarek3573]

I came from Downhill MTB and keeping feets on the pegs is natural for me, though guy that teach me MX says I should absolutely not do that 😂 I think I go with youtube tutorials now only xD

[@yellowveedub]

I got in the habit of keeping balls of feet on standing up or sitting down taking foot off if I absolutely have to. When I do I try to keep leg tight against shrouds, leg up, toe pointed towards fender centerline. This for me, enables me to still squeeze bike with knees even though my foot is off. Riding/ Racing BMX, we don't take feet off in corners 😁. BMX helps with habit of standing, sitting feet on. Not to mention if you race BMX clipped in, you can't😜

[@paulmessikommer4027]

I'm new in MX, so I'll try to make that a second nature asap ! thx for sharing !

[@Travis_125]

No Unnecessary Movement (NUM) is something that I teach in firearms training and defensive tactics. The same holds true here. More movement equals slower action/reaction.

[@everythingmichael5676]

It’s pretty cool seeing me in this video when I’m watching this video to help me😂😂

[@harrisonfan8008]

To be honest the man who did this for century's back was Stefan Everts even when he was a jong kid riding on factory Honda 250 several times in the States. Not for nothing 10 times world champion and the fastest in sand in his time. I say it for years.. learn from Stefan, look to his video's MX GP's. So smooth like Lawrence.

[@fast.156]

Wow this is awesome! I race the RMX series. Its a great series! So cool to see you guys in this video.

[@aaronb4936]

I tried to corner a bike like Eli once…. Now I just putt around in my wheelchair.

[@scottfulton159]

LMAO😂

[@bikersoncall]

Thank you for your service. 🍕🍕

[@c2protect]

Great sence of humor. I needed that today.

[@KingFriday274]

Effing hilarious

[@TheJoeml85]

I was always thought to put pressure on the inside of the peg the way your turning and shift your weight to the side a bit

[@double-oseven5725]

Well explained!! Thank you!!

[@rmatvmc]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rotorhead5000]

I can attest to keeping one position conserving energy. The big mini moto we do every year, the biggest thing slowing me down during the final was just how tired my legs were, not in my quads from being in the attack position, but the muscles I would use to pull my leg back up to my pegs coming out of a seated corner. It felt like it took forever to have myself back in the position I needed to come through the table tops after a corner.

[@rmatvmc]

Great point! The waisted movement has a much bigger effect than most think. I agree, legs on as much as you can. But, I also think that thinking you have to ALWAYS have your feet on can also hinder a rider. - Chase

[@Pinionaire]

My ACL and meniscus agree. Dab my leg on a corner like a noob and it got jammed. 4months no riding and knee still stiff.

[@deshawnbonner7720]

Please keep the videos coming

[@rmatvmc]

We're trying! Thanks for watching. Any technique videos you'd like to see?

[@wfoholeshot8614]

Standing in the corners keeps your weight balanced in the center of the tires,throwing your leg out for a corner unloads the tires,making them prone to slide or loose grip. Riding a BMW GSA 1200 you learn that trick real fast. (650lbs to pick-up)

[@819jt]

I can bear my weight down on both wheels evenly and stick my inside leg out for a turn. There is a lot of tension in my outside leg, and that's probably a place where this technique is coming from.

[@ajveeden8595]

The leg out is relative to the braking combination method applied to the projected corner speed you want to carry. That’s why moto GP guys also do this now as the leg at a particular moment serves as counter balance to the position you find yourself in, in relation to contact patch to ground available then transferring to acceleration…like a cheata’s tail functioning at speeds when hunting.

[@IHIuddy]

My father took my seat off of my bike when I was little and made me stand up around corners and now I race through the woods and it really really helps a ton. I hardly ever sit down. EVER. Moto I’d say once you get used to it I’d bet depend on the corners it would be a waste of time and energy to take feet of pegs.

[@rmatvmc]

I like your Dad's style! I've never taken my seat off before, but I know its a great drill to do. Thanks for sharing! - Chase

[@bryceridesbikes]

Dropping the heels is huge for DH riding, gets the bike to drive through chunk instead of getting caught up in it.

[@rmatvmc]

You're absolutely right!!! - Chase

[@taybiljam]

everytime I get to go out these days I practice the eli cornering feet on pegs it's hard to do and needs alot of practice but like everything the more u do it the easier it gets its safer for u bcoz of the fact ur not going to dab ur foot on the ground so no ancle injuries also no knee injuries if u dab ur foot and pushes putting alot of pressure on ur knee so it takes that risk away also aswell as being faster once u get it right keep the momentum going into a corner . Eli started this motocross season out with a sore knee from sx it was bruised from entering a corner and dabbing his foot so he did it all the time in out door even more so to cancel out dabbing his foot and putting any more pressure on his knee realy think that helped him to be better at it bcoz of of the fear of injuring his knee again or making it worse .. Everyone shld take time out on every ride and practice it its not as easy as it looks ,tomac and sexton make it look so easy .. 👊 🤙👌 👍🏽💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@chasetherippa]

Good points!

[@MrAddison79]

I agree for the most part, although having my leg out has saved me from slamming countless times.

[@waynegarfield6607]

The center of gravity of the bike is near the footpegs, if you practice riding more and more on the footpegs, ass off the seat , now YOU and the bikes CG is still near the footpegs, the bike handles as it was designed too , you have more bike grip strength , wont get your foot/ leg ripped back in a deep rut turning/ leaning, AND as a huge benifit you have way more leg/ body strength/ control with two legs asorbing bumps, chop, whoops .. etc than on one leg. It is not enough close. Obviously you have to remove a foot off the peg from time to time but that is mostly habit or a mistake correction, the MORE you can ride with both feet on pegs the better your riding will be. Physics and Anatomy 101.

[@rmatvmc]

You make very good, valid points. #science - Chase

[@andrey0770]

It could be helpful only in some certain concrete situations. In the most of the regular turns where You need to lean the bike it is definetely less comfortable, less stable and obviously will lead to grabbing the ground and crash. Tomac is Tomac and he rides on the other level and definetely he knows where it helps him and where not

[@819jt]

Two torn Achilles. Leaving tension off of your calf muscles and letting your tendons bear the brunt can set you up for injury. I suggest using the peg to support your ankle by using the "balls of your feet" as a range of positions between your arch and toe so you can choose between a firm platform in some cases (think hard landings) and another providing mechanical advantage from the ankles (think weighting outside peg on accel).

[@819jt]

But all the while mostly maintaining the foot at the same angle as a tennis player ready for a volley.

[@jefkeegan4187]

I've been riding feet up since the 60s

[@jared31337]

This is what every hard Enduro, or hare scramble rider in the world does every day

[@wernerxldata]

Funny this is a new trend in the USA… Its quite common in Europe for a long time, probably thanks to the legend Stefan Everts. Guys like Kenny and Marvin already rode this way when they came to the USA

[@bikersoncall]

Comical, I started dropping my heels in a few different scenarios a few days ago, coincidentally, subsequently, I've found two videos (this is one) that indicates that a lot of riders do this. I like it for going up embankments, I can go a little slower if I want and drive that back wheel into the dirt more, getting good traction. Similar to sitting down farther back, with out actually sitting down lol.

[@rmatvmc]

It's a game changer when you start doing it! I remember watching Christian Craig talking about it years ago going through whoops and it stuck with me ever since! - Chase

[@bikersoncall]

@@rmatvmc Cool, yeah I like it, very handy. I didn't realize it's been a thing for years. I initially started doing it to stretch my calfs/caves(?) lol, then I started thinking; ''hey this could save energy'', later in the same day, I started wondering how much weight I might be shifting to the back...then off and running lol..

[@dermadizinmann6576]

an other point of "feet on the pegs" is that you have to learn to get on the throttle more gently, which results in a better accelertion (or less loss of traction)...

[@rmatvmc]

That is a great point. I didn't really think of that during this video but it makes total sense! - Chase

[@kylelangworthy9641]

I believe it's a traction thing. Both feet on the pegs there's more weight compressing in the corner which gives you more traction especially the faster you go. But I'm also not Eli tomac LOL

[@barnescycle]

Well it also eats up the small bumps through your legs also keeping you more balanced vs absorbing all that through your body and causing you to bounce on the trampoline without your legs . But any energy saved not putting your foot out is kinda eat up by standing also.. But what do I know I'm a slow 🐌 vet guy 🤷‍♂️

[@rmatvmc]

The energy burned standing up vs sitting down and your body having to absorb all the bumps and chop is much less. And, the more you stand, the more you train your legs for it. - Chase

[@adamtowne6843]

Yeah but what about the weight the heel to the outside peg on corners?? I see tomac and herlings using heels for a lot of cornering it isn’t just balls of feet although staying on balls of feet is super important the heel has its place.

[@bikersoncall]

Seriously, someone should put in a call to Eli, and figure this thing out. One thing that always bothers me about having the leg out, where we tend to wind up using it to dab on occasion, I'm sure has caused innumerable (many lol) injuries. I like standing and sitting, when I put the leg out, I tend to think of crazy glue, my leg is glued to the side of the fender/forks trying to engrain the notion of not being tempted to use my leg as a crutch and dab, cause eventually I'll need a crutch continue to dab.

[@rossmorgan9974]

Stefan everts was doing this technique 30 plus years ago

[@ohboy2118]

Exactly. 👍

[@lotharluder2743]

I remember. Time flies.

[@rmatvmc]

#truth

[@iteleski2]

You come into a corner and then you have to sit and put your leg out, then stand up after exiting the corner. That is energy that wasted. I don't see every corner that needs to be standing or sitting with feet on the pegs but certain corners can help tremendously save time and energy with the feet on the pegs and balance training is probably a good part of learning this technique.

[@rmatvmc]

I agree 100%. Not every corner is the same and in many cases, sitting down and having your leg out will be the best/fastest way through a corner. But when possible, keep those feet on! - Chase

[@iteleski2]

@@rmatvmc It’s been many years since I’ve ridden dirt bikes🤣 but ride mountain bikes religiously and study the pro moto guys all year! Love the sport and will forever!!! I understand the kinetics. Love bikes!

[@100percentdirt]

I have 2 questions.first, can you do a turn with feet on the pegs for no rut ,hard packed surfaces or only rutted turns, second, while i have learnt the body postioning i am still not very comfortable using my gear lever and rear brake standing up specially in tricky turns and corners any advice on the above points

[@mav459]

Boy do I wish there was a National track that has been the same throughout all of these years that we could compare all of these laptimes semi accurately.

[@rmatvmc]

This would be AMAZING!

[@craigmccall7450]

BMX is the nucleus.

[@OneShotKill3r]

Isn't it about absorbing the rough terrain? (Therefore giving you control) Having both feet on the pegs keeps you in (or close to) the attack position, which is what you'd want when the corner is rough, like you see in the example footage at 1:08. So maybe the pro's only do it in rough corners? I'm a proper noob so it's just a thought, and curiosity

[@rmatvmc]

It's for that reason and others. Yes, if definitely helps absorb the rough stuff. But it also helps conserve energy since you're not taking your foot off and on and standing and sitting as much, and helps prevent dabbing your leg and getting it caught or injured. However, there are still times when sitting down is needed and faster. In a long, smooth rut, I tend to sit down a little more. I when i need good drive out of a corner, I'll sit down at the end to get more weight to the rear wheel. It is important to have good technique for standing and sitting. - Chase

[@JacobSnover]

people say leg out over the front to add weight and control to the front tire, but most of the time riders will then let their foot hit the ground and fly back behind the peg before mounting on the peg again. It makes we wonder that if having it out front helps with front wheel traction during a turn, then what effect does it have on the bike when your leg goes flying back coming out of the turn?

[@rmatvmc]

Having your leg out does lead to dabbing and sometimes yes, your leg gets sucked back. I don't think having your leg out helps with weighting the front wheel as much as it is to get it out of the way of the rut. But when it goes flying back, it's no bueno haha. - Chase

[@JacobSnover]

@@rmatvmc totally makes sense, thanks for the response!

[@iraspecialistkevinconroycf1445]

can someone use a 911 wifi I use for the GS?

[@PBmxer]

As a trail rider my feet never come off the pegs. its safer, faster, more efficient and less effort. I also hardly sit.

[@ButtSnorkler9000]

I just blew out my knee by taking my inside foot off through a corner, I’m keeping them on the pegs all the time now.

[@rmatvmc]

Man, that is a bummer. Sorry to hear that. ACL? - Chase

[@ButtSnorkler9000]

@@rmatvmc yep, I’ve injured it enough in the past that it happened pretty easily. It was also on a trail not a track so my foot caught some rocks or something

[@keiannschyler]

my technique in going fast is after the first turn i break my clutch so i can't use it anymore for the rest of the race then glue my throttle so there will be no way for me to slow down. LOL

[@mazdamazda9008]

one thing you guys missed in the video is the keeping your feet on the pegs keeps the wait on the tyres and body wait over the centre off the bike which creates traction drive out of corners its not a new trick its old school

[@sylvainlaurence1554]

Weight on the tires, body in centers are old school,…. Cornering like Eli is new school!

[@KingFriday274]

Have you guys been watching moto academy aj catanzaro videos? Sure sounds that way.

[@rmatvmc]

AJ is a good friend of our and yes, I've seen plenty of his videos. Ryno and others riders have brought a lot of attention to this subject in recent years as well. You even hear race announcers talking about it during the races now. For those reasons, we thought it would be a good topic to discuss and get another coaches take on it. - Chase

[@KingFriday274]

@@rmatvmc cool. Who is Ryno?

[@rmatvmc]

@@KingFriday274 Ryan Hughes.

[@Matt43]

I don't ride on tracks much, but on single and double track I almost never throw a leg out unless it's a sweeper or bermed turn. I just shift my weight forward for traction (if necessary) and feel I have more control on corner exit, especially as someone who is a "rear steer" kinda rider.

[@kobeeknight1263]

More control in the corner exit is a huge factor!

[@Mexxx65]

So on other words..the modern MX/SX riding techniques will wear out your knee joints faster, and put you into retirement faster, but hey you were a few tenths faster per lap in your brief career! ..Goes a very long way to explain, there are more and more very young riders getting into the pro-class, well because their knees are more flexible at that young age.

[@stephenbobic3226]

Feet on the pegs isn't that new. Stefan Everts was doing this during his prime. Most of the European riders ride feet on pegs most of the time. It's a returning trend in the US, gaining more and more acceptance. As Leroy said, I was taught to keep the feet on the pegs as much as you can, even in a lot of berms. For the newer generation of riders, the bikes are faster and more powerful than before, so keeping the feet on the pegs is almost essential. These bikes get in and out of corners so fast, it's wasted effort and balance to not have feet on the pegs.

[@Gatedrop]

Everts was doing that 20 years ago and most of the MXGP guys have been doing for years too. It's not a new technique.

[@derweibhai]

Man, if you fall standing on the pegs, your shoulder is DONE FOR!

[@sexatica]

Don't fall brother

[@rmatvmc]

@@sexatica I like this advice, even though I don't take it myself 🤣- Chase

[@sexatica]

@@rmatvmc yeah I have a hard time myself with this one🤔, have a good week Chase and RMATV team

[@bikersoncall]

@@sexatica I use my helmet.

[@MrDavidfuchser]

Corner too bumpy, no sit. Stand to absorb. Wakka wakka

[@rogershipman3578]

Some day someone will get smart and start using taller handlebars. 8"-10" rise. That would give you a better, more natural riding position. Allowing you to ride standing up more that 90% of the time. You're welcome.

[@archierose1432]

Maybe you never had to take your feet off in the first place. BMX, MTB don’t do it and their corner speed is no joke ………. And Eli rides MTB doesn’t he ? 😂

[@quadcityracing]

I share your opinion, Eli was trained by his dad. Who won many a downhill with no dab.

[@edu20por5]

Pffff... Its old technique of STEFAN EVERT, 10 x MX world champion.

[@sylvainlaurence1554]

First thing first,you need big balls for cornering on foot pegs..

[@jimbrap3582]

"how to coner like tomac" - be dreaming brow

[@quadcityracing]

It’s safer…..until it’s not.

[@deweythowe6270]

It's a new fad??? Apparently you guys never watched Stephan Everts ride.

[@chasetherippa]

Its a technique that’s been around for a long time. But lately, it’s been talked about much more than in the past.