Motorcycle Body Position: 5 Steps to a Solid Body Position Setup

[@sigis72]

Even tho I don't do track days and ride a Versys 650 I still enjoy taking in all this knowledge you're sharing with us, thank you! We should always aim to become better riders and you're videos help.

[@HighlanderJosh]

I learned how to lean and race around on the 14' Versys 650 myself, taking in some of the local sportbikers' inputs and eventually being able to keep up with them in the twisties. I recently picked up a 14' Ninja 636 and used that past knowledge to outstandingly improve in every corner. I experienced a major difference for sure when comparing the Versys to a supersport 636... you really learn to appreciate the ability of a sportbike in those twisties. You can still hit it pretty hard on the Versys 650, but it's a lot harder in high speed turns, as the bike's height + weight tends to really want to straighten itself back up more than a lower and less heavier 600 sportbike. I had to do some HUGE hanging off to help counter it.

[@carlosrm9362]

Congratulations, this is probably one of the best videos on youtube. What you explain is correct and includes concepts that are not mentioned in most of the videos. For all those who start, these are the best guides that can be explained. It would be necessary to add the position of the head and arms.

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins, NOT jesus, and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@MrGhirbo]

03:22 The reason why I prefer to have the outside foot on the balls of the feet, is because I can then perform a slight calf raise, and lock my leg into the lip of the tank. And this just gives an extra layer of support and stability.

[@dashford06]

Great advice re moving back off the tank. Those of us that came from dirt bikes have a tendency to want to hug it. Thank you.

[@ahmadkhan1727]

One of the best video for rookie like md and also you shared all the important tips in less than 5 min...great job

[@OhioEnduro]

This actually helped me a lot, i would sit to close to my tank and not allow my bike to really do what its made to do. Im a tall guy so it was a more comfortable position being so close to the tank I didnt have to hunch over as much. But since I've been giving my self distance and allowing to bike to flow more freely. My near misses have drastically went down. And most of my friends are having harder times catching up to me. I've gone from practice every other day to just about practicing everday. I've learned that some things work for others and some work for me and my bikes setup. Thanks man, really did make riding a little funner again

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins, NOT jesus, and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@OhioEnduro]

@@Praise___YaH wtf

[@austinado16]

Excellent information. I really appreciate that you took the time to show the different views of what you were talking about, especially when talking about what riding against the tank (which I do because I'm short) causes.

[@ChumiStu]

This is what I struggle with most, sometime's I nail it (ie my profile pic), other times I look like I'm scared of the tarmac. By simple moving back a couple inches on the seat will probably solve this. Something so simple but yet I've never thought about it.

[@llerradish]

IMO this is one of the best learning tools on KZbin. Good job!

[@crashman222]

Hey man thanks That tip re sitting a few inches back from the tank makes a huge amount of sense I am struggling to get the knee down safely and I think its because I am rotating around the tank.

[@JaretCampisi]

Solid video. Keep making informative vids like this and you guys will do very well :)

[@LifeatLean]

Cheers Jaret, appreciate it. I have every intention of keeping this train going.

[@archiebenno]

I have no idea what your actual name is Mr. Lean, but you really do make excellent vids. Thanks very much, and keep it up.

[@davidstallard3142]

I wish someone told me about sliding back a bit a while ago absolutely spot on with your advice 😎

[@shapelessdreams]

Did it feel like you were able to shift better up and down with your foot? I noticed on my mt07 when i was against the tank my legs were very cramped and i couldnt move as much

[@davidstallard3142]

@@shapelessdreams not really it was easier to get in the right position to get my knees down when going round corners

[@shapelessdreams]

@@davidstallard3142 so your shifting didnt improve sitting back more from the tank?

[@davidstallard3142]

@@shapelessdreams no I only sit.back when I'm about to brake and going round corners adjust your gear leaver or get adjustable rearsets..

[@shapelessdreams]

@@davidstallard3142 unless sitting back from the tank is not a good thing i dont see myself getting different rearsets. Thank you for the advices tho. I guess it might be the mt07 being a small bike for my length

[@cbrooks2767]

Nice job, but I feel that it is incomplete. You went up from the feet to the spine but neglected to mention head position or arm and hand placement. You're halfway there, so let's see part two!

[@blakechristopher9976]

What would you have added im very interested in what you mean

[@TSmith0048]

@@blakechristopher9976 Head off the bike to the inside. Inside arm is bent while you're outside arm should be straight laying across the tank. Hand placement is mostly personal preference, some people hold the throttle like an ice cream cone or a screwdriver while some hold it other ways. Keep your wrists straight.

[@Miatomemphis]

This was a real solid video on cornering. 👍

[@slavenleko]

I use free book and can't wait read it 😎 thank you 😊

[@rbhora6961]

Good informative video good for street and track riders

[@Guitar806]

This awesome 👍 liked, shared and gonna go practice now!!

[@flexmarchetti]

Gives me some good ideas, I'm new at this, thank you

[@YoARnaldo]

Good stuff. Trying to find ways of blending this technique with electric unicycle racing.

[@frankrygge6951]

Those tips, can really give a new, and many old riders,, a AHA experience, 💡small changes ⚙️🔩who give you mutch more calm riding, and fast trackdays,, and safer ridin,, ,, test it out step by step, in safe speed ...🏁One thing you dont want too learn the hard way, is your footpeg foot position,, I have seen many, also at trackdays who sit with their heel on footpeg also in turn Allways remember too put the tip / toeballs at footpeg the way you turn, just like your bicycle ,, you never have the pedal down when you lean over. If you.dont doe toeball/footpeg/leanangle,, you will get yourself a hurtfull experience, break your toe, 🦶foot, and crash,,, just a little reminder,, thanks too thoese who make those videos,, 🥇🎬you might have save many rider from serious accidents👀🏍🏁🙏

[@arifinablegail]

This is amazing. Keep up the good work!

[@roysiny]

Best video about this topic. Thanks

[@francescoseveri1219]

THANK YOU!! Best explanation for bike position video ever!!

[@talilkr5238]

thanks for the informative videos as well as for the pdf.

[@carlwest3508]

Awesome video , thankyou for the advice

[@DonGH297]

This made sense for me. Thanks a lot

[@Just_andy588]

I have the foot position but my whole upper body needs to be down more hopefully I can use of these before next season

[@ziting5756]

Amazing explanation.

[@robertdavey319]

Great tips 👍🏼

[@NewsMoto]

That Marquez riding position is beautiful! 1:14

[@dawatashi3244]

News Moto always

[@DylanGSXR]

Great video , my problem was I'm sitting to far back so my knee is not getting support from the tank . Can't wait to try this out . cheers .

[@Dannyner6]

good video mate, i need to stop hugging the tank :D

[@bravo20ghost27]

Great videos mate, thank you

[@Sir_Gonzo]

Great video!

[@armandoloureiro7158]

Also, i see into the left turn your right shoulder is not facing the turn. Its like looking at something then walking towards it sideways. If going left the right foot is hooked into the peg with the heel of the boot and your right shoulder twisted to face where you are going with the right arm stretched over the tank. Left elbow tucked in towards your waist. This is not a personal preference thing its the right thing......Hope this helps

[@My2RiceBowls]

great video!

[@OJMAH]

watching old race competitions even the biggest one the champion had cross line body position. i think there are benefits of hanging off but doesn't mean old style doesn't work. it works great; making champ. certainly cross line is from insecure instinct which we have on road. off road, blind corner , uncertain trace. animals, oil , water pond and in coming opposite lanes. i will really have to make decision to improve my body position to hang off or not since i only ride on street and practice in car park at low speed.

[@anandarivera581]

It's amazing... I like cornering elbow down...

[@craigkelly79]

Thank you very good clear info!

[@JanBinnendijk]

Great video.. since i'm 1.93m tall, and i ride either a Ducati 851, or a 1990 750 Sport (with 16" wheels), there are a few differences that define my body position. the 750 has little room in the saddle, so i sit all the way back, the tank has no cutouts to lock my knees in, so i have to rely on the contact with the inside of my upper leg.. , on the 851, i can lock my leg in the cutout, with the middle of my foot on the peg.. I've noticed that because of the good weight distributuin of the 851, i can easily sit all the way back, lowering my torso as not to catch too much wind (1.93m remember? ) I do have a "quirky" habit.. i sometimes put my inside foot on the side on my peg.. something i needed to do when minibike racing.. i am flexible enough to move my feet around on the pegs of these tiny bikes when racing meaning having them flat on the pegs on the straights, but putting them on the side when entering a corner.. it is a habit i found difficult to get rid off.. but i found no downside of that so far..

[@igorboyka4757]

before the curve first brake? or prepare for hang off and then brake?

[@jankohrasko3]

Thanks for the tips. I'm a new rider and have been wondering if I should keep pressure on the tank with my outside knee throughout a turn. So as to push the bike into the turn with my knee while keeping the bars free of counter steer. Essentially, the position on the bike I can see from other riders but the weight distribution and push/pull forces are hard to deduce. Not sure if I should be pushing into the outside page throughout the turn either. Or should I keep neutral on my weight and just send everything through the center-point to the road or track. Thank you.

[@YA-ee9zf]

without any training I do these things the only different thing is I lean my head more than my body because where your head points your body will follow

[@shizi]

Hey Dan, I hope you can also make a video for motorcycles that doesn't have their tanks in the center of the rider's legs. Would be great help small displacement riders 😅 Like my bike, my legs doesn't have anything to support my base position, so often when I do leans, I use my arms

[@Praise___YaH]

HERE is The Savior YaH The Heavenly FATHER HIMSELF was Who they Crucified for our sins, NOT jesus, and “HERE IS THE PROOF” From the Ancient Semitic Scroll: "Yad He Vav He" is what Moses wrote, when Moses asked YaH His Name (Exodus 3) Ancient Semitic Direct Translation Yad - "Behold The Hand" He - "Behold the Breath" Vav - "Behold The NAIL"

[@leaff2761]

Is this good for street riding as well. Im planing on getting a motorcycle

[@rolandtiiroja]

I really enjoy leaning right side. I feel stabile and I have a good control over the throttle. But when I lean left, it's completely opposite. I try to copy my good side and convert everything to the other side but it's the throttle hand that makes all the difference...

[@nigelren3719]

An old git learned something, old git thanks you.

[@AAKhanivore]

Wish I'd watched this before going to Silverstone. I definitely sit too far forward and cross up against the bike. Thanks.

[@boontw6524]

What s da reason to slice bud &knee to side way. Can we seat in natural position n do corners .what is d differences?

[@undecodable6145]

Question: how to count on your body and not put your weight on the bar for riding sport bike on the road

[@LordBirch]

Love these videos. Thanks

[@LifeatLean]

My pleasure m'Lord 😀

[@skaffej3939]

What is the model of your racing bike?

[@renzbasilio5431]

i wanted to know what is the best way on doing corners,counter steering or just a regulat turn with the body weight? please enlighten me thanks

[@Ro6entX]

I have to drag a knee yet (milestone, but not my main goal) but i do scoot back about knuckle and half back (bit of a belly) and my head out more than body. I just tend to forget pointing elbow into turn, and still struggling with passing my lean barrier

[@cgolding2587]

looked liked Snetterton race track! my local track :)

[@targetoz5470]

Hey Dan how do you overcome learning to ride a 675 Daytona compared to a 1198 Duke? What I mean is, the Duke seems to put your body in the right place to take corners well with how the ergo’s are compared to the Daytona you kind of are set on top of the bike and hope for the best. Thoughts?

[@nickaguado7]

Need help here. I read that hanging off the bike in turns keeps the bike more upright for better contact patch correct? Doesnt a more upright bike not corner as hard as a bike more leaned over? I'm confused at the purpose of leaning off the bike. Is it center of gravity so your can comfortably combat centripetal force? How come people want LESS lean angle when more lean angle results in tighter cornering? If it's because of the contact patch theory and keeping the bike upright, why not lean off sp far that literally your calf is on the seat as you corner? Lol

[@King-ni5yx]

Theres always a workable window. Keep bike upright and lean off. See what happens? So body position enables more turn with less lean angle. Exiting corners(still turning) you can keep an aggressive body position, with bike moved upright and on max or near throttle with less risk

[@АлексейИванов-н1ф7ц]

My knees hurt from overexertion after 15 minutes of hang of. What I'm doing wrong?

[@ozpilotgirl]

Mine too!!!!

[@radwanghazimoumeh]

superb!

[@riderzinc]

I'm great at right knee downs and comfortable, Lefts i don't feel comfortable at all, I even scraped the footpeg a few times without touching my knee so my body position must be off

[@ekaprasanya]

I exercise regularly, so now after few laps no more fatique on shoulder hand and legs. Except for neck. How to train neck?

[@steadycruising3251]

When u hang off, is it necessary that your knee touches the ground?

[@Christianmendez-ig8xg]

Song in the beginning??

[@jerickrivera7083]

Thank you sir

[@dutchmoto750]

if cornering hard use the front brake and keep some light pressure on it while cornering.

[@caseybowman9017]

no. never touch your front brake while leaned over in a corner. ever.

[@Theyoufeelme]

This is an advanced technique called trail braking. If youre new you should avoid this technique. What you do is while your coming into the corner you get on the front brakes shifting the weight of the bike forward and actually increasing traction and your contact patch on your front wheel. It also enables you to come into the corner faster than you normally would. Only apply the brake while coming into the apex and applying gas on your way out of the turn. If you apply to much front brake at any given time you will wash out and have a fucked up day. Happy riding my friend.

[@caseybowman9017]

Ant Q yep. Trail braking is a thing. Most people who watch these videos are new so I always advise them to never touch that brake until they learn how to ride. They’ll soon understand how much they can brake while leaned

[@King-ni5yx]

Are tou talking trail braking? Because youve just given barely any information and made ut dangerous

[@caseybowman9017]

Stylo F I don’t like new guys knowing about trail braking. Slow/look/press/roll is all they need to know. Ive had two friends lowside when they were new cause they grabbed slightly too much

[@azizanabdaziz4623]

Nice video

[@surfieboywon]

Awesome video mate, I am currently having trouble corner and getting my knee down on the right hand side. I don't feel as though I can get the same relaxed body position as I do on the left and feels as if I lean the bike further over it will slide out from under me however from photos I have seen that people have taken of me I have more room to lean than. Have you got any advise?

[@kaiserindustries5567]

Can i do this with a 125cc bike? (Small tires)

[@DmanGuitar327]

im not as good w right handers, and do you have the side of your boot on the pegs w your knee out?

[@crosswire7777]

Why does everyone still do the Doohan lean? Their heads remain centered but a cheek goes out. Its like their goal is to touch knee, rather than keep the bike upright as possible. Also i notice you can steer the bike more easily by shifting your head and upper body side to side, than moving the lower body which has a higher risk of upsetting the bikes stability through bouncing your butt on the seat

[@NoBodyReadThese]

Yeah.... Me agree Me like Canyon Chaser explain about head outside,the but cheek move unless we on track, for me head already enough lah for urban & moderate cornering

[@ZuhairHadi86]

Professionals do it for maintaining their high speeds, street kids do it to show off I think.

[@danielwood7550]

You should do a get together at brands or Snetterton Dan

[@bsamizoram8812]

Can i use that position on naked bike with lighter weight

[@NotThatOne99]

There is something which confuse me. As far as i know rear brake can be used to stabilize the bike in the corner and it also good to slightly decrease the turning radius. How would you place your feet to do not desabilize the bike in the middle of the corner if you want to use the advantages of rear brake? Is it different in left and right corners? (sorry if I committed any spelling or grammar mistake, but I'm far from being good in English :(, I hope you understand well, what I would like to ask) Your videos are great, I can't wait the new ones. :)

[@LifeatLean]

I bet your English is a lot better than me trying to type whatever your native language is! With regards to using the rear brake, you would simply slide your foot forward like normal to use it. Watch MotoGP and you'll see those guys constantly changing foot position to change gears and use the rear brake (unless you have a thumb brake, of course).

[@morphybolongaita6558]

Do have any advice for short rider in leaning..

[@LifeatLean]

What problem are you experiencing?

[@morphybolongaita6558]

Life at Lean i feel nervous when i lean my heart beat so fast..ang i can’t touch the rode when i lean..

[@berkayt5319]

Make a video about your bike and changes

[@fikizul]

Great help, however i got some issue need to ask, when i go into corner, to the right (for example), my weight is on my right legs, hence i can cramp with my inner thigh. could it be im too close to the tank or i should not put everything on my right leg, and start to learn to hang on using my left knee on the tank. plss really need this since i get cramps and this is really annoying while riding. Thanks a mill

[@LifeatLean]

Too much weight on the inside peg usually comes from the rider moving too much of their backside off the seat and/or not having good outside leg attachment. Play around with where you sit in the seat to be sure you have really good support from your outside leg. It's ok to slide a little more back on the seat if it means you're more comfortable.

[@rbhora6961]

The safest is to place your right foot on the middle of the pegs to have a better grip on the bike

[@sonicboove4865]

I always ride with my knee, elbow and face down.

[@jenaplissken3748]

Hi, how do you move your lower body ? For example in a left turn, do you lift your butt and then hang off it on the left or you slide the butt pushing the outside leg on the paddle? When i hang off my lowe body my motorcycle get unbalanced by my weight

[@LifeatLean]

I know some people suggest sliding across, but that can be difficult if you have a lot of friction from the seat. I personally lift my butt ever so slightly so I can move it across, being sure to support myself on the tank with my knees as I do it. This helps minimise inputs into the bars.

[@peterkania4757]

what about hard braking into turn for body position just before you enter turn or even slower turns

[@LifeatLean]

During braking your lower body should already be set and in position ready for the corner (backside off the seat, feet in correct position), but your head will still be central throughout braking. As you lean the bike over, that's when you'll commit your head and upper body in toward the corner. With the legs I prefer to squeeze the tank for support during braking.

[@joshcox6202]

Watching the video 1st of March 2019 and video was uploaded the 1st of March 2018

[@oppusg]

And here i am reading your comment 1st of March 2021 😂

[@BickMitchum]

Ive got my 1st track day next month so hoping put this and other vids from theory to practice. On the road when ive had my knee down on the right its scrubbed the top part in only is that because the positioning was wrong and sticking knee out too far? But the left has a even spread all over is it natural to have a preference ?

[@LifeatLean]

Just try not to work on too much at once Bick. In fact, if it's your first track day EVER I would say just ride and have fun without pushing too hard. To your question though, yes scraping the top of the knee puck usually means your knee is pointing down to the ground, rather than moving sideways relative to the bike. Try to keep your hips square to the bike so you don't rotate around the tank and that should improve things.

[@BickMitchum]

Life at Lean cheers mate i shall give it ago !

[@DUNDUNHO]

helpful! Thx :))

[@tone3560]

Balls of feet work only your calf muscle and can lose endurance fast, I personally ride mid foot for better support and use bigger muscle groups like quads and glutes. Calf muscle may be okay for minimal corners and track days but a lot of twisties like here in sc mid foot is best

[@folieadeux5463]

I disagree with the foot placement. some famous GP guy said he had his heels or mid foot on the pegs to not destabilize the bike and held his entire weight their when he shifted from one side to the other. as in you dont hve to move your feet to shift gears if they always are in the position, keeping the bike more stable. other than that, nice points!

[@LifeatLean]

I'd be interested to know who this racer is. I'd be surprised if they keep the foot in that position at all times, particularly the inside foot which would touch down at higher lean angles.

[@folieadeux5463]

he was teaching on a blue s1000rr in front of an audience in germany I think with a microphone that barely worked, has loads of views but I cant remember the name

[@CaptnCord]

That was Troy Corser. Just a two-time world superbike champion ;-)

[@LifeatLean]

Here's Troy (goo.gl/JrziVM). As I suspected his inside foot is placed on the ball mid-corner.

[@CaptnCord]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoW0qGdjer6rfqM I think this is the the video Folie A Deux meant. The part about foot position starts about 4:30 (in the Troy Corser video of course) . What he says makes sense to me. Of course there is not only one way to ride a bike fast and controlled. My suggestion: Be open minded, try different techniques und pick what workes best for you .

[@DylanGSXR]

Is that track snettetton you are on 😉

[@yzfaisal]

I find myself resting my chest when leaning hard (not dragging knee) and leaning part of my chest off the tank as well as I cheak off the seat.. Ya or Nay ?

[@LifeatLean]

Do you mean resting your chest on the tank itself?

[@yzfaisal]

Life at Lean yes I find myself resting my chest on the tank when leaning at times (one of my pecs is off the tank) ...I feel I have a better center of gravity. Good practice or no?

[@LifeatLean]

It's not something I would recommend because it means you could be relaxing your core muscles, meaning you might begin to rely too much on the bars for stability as you hang off. Really we want to engage our lower body and core to remove the weight from the bars. However if your chest is simply touching the tank then it's not as bad. At a slower pace on the road, however, it's probably not a big issue if you can still ride with control.

[@yzfaisal]

Life at Lean Word! Thanks for the advice. Maybe you should do a video on workouts that strengthen the muscles needed to ride correctly.

[@dariodipaola8445]

Bro have you seen GP riders... they're pipsqueaks.. it's the stamina that counts, not the muscle... you're better off losing weight when it comes to racing, never gaining. You probably find yourself resting on the tank because your stomach is already touching it. In other words you need to give yourself about an inch between your crotch and the tank and don't be afraid. If you ever quickly lose/gain traction and are about to high-side you're going to want to be as much off the tank as possible! Check out a high-side saving compilation.

[@armandoloureiro7158]

Very good except for one thing. The outside foot must never be on the ball of the foot. It must be in the arch up against the heel. That is because when you do this you can use the whole upper leg for support on the tank leaving zero pressure on your arms. Moving to the ball on the outside of the foot is 100% mechanically incorrect for best support.

[@Z1000vda]

Squeaky arent they? Had the same boots and they made a lot of noise when walking :p

[@RevelationB24]

Top!

[@aerymayrena5635]

2:22 So what are chicken strips again??

[@DonGH297]

Wish i had this lol

[@Tyler_Mayhem]

You have the same boots as me...

[@LifeatLean]

Had them for years! They're one of the few boots that have ankle support, or at least they were, so I've never looked to change them.

[@Bikeadelic]

There are some very good riders who say that rotating around the tank is a good thing that they like to do?

[@janrhylloliveros8010]

Does height matters? Ive been trying cornering and my knee wont seems to touch the groud even tho im at highspeed

[@LifeatLean]

It matters to a degree yes, but even shorter people can get their knee down. It just takes more lean angle.

[@michafoo7620]

hi

[@adamutuber]

1st Step: Troy Corser says your foot position needs to be in the middle of the foot to provide a more stable and solid foundation for moving around on the bike, not on the balls of the feet.

[@Theyoufeelme]

If you would only do more research you would see that troy rides on the middle of his foot in straights but when cornering his inside foot is always on the ball of his foot. Please stop spreading false information. I understand it wasnt your intention but a young mind may have read what you said and actually believed you. We don't need that. The way things are said and the way they are perceived is always different.

[@oldprophet]

Body Position? A Personal Preference.

[@cameronblanchard3162]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🏁🏁🏁the amazig race🏎️🏎️🏎️ 0:44 💜 👇 👇💓

[@wanmuhammadfakhrullahwan8078]

👍👍,,