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View Poll Results: Why does having your knee out help you corner?
Putting your knee out shifts the center of gravity so less lean is needed to make the turn
29
47.54%
Putting your knee out adds wind resistance, pulling the bike into the turn
1
1.64%
Both shifts the CoG and adds wind resistance
20
32.79%
I dunno!!!
11
18.03%
Voters: 61. You may not vote on this poll

Why does having your knee out help you corner?

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  #1  
Old 06-24-2011, 09:11 PM
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Default Why does having your knee out help you corner?

Was reading through Total Control (I think). They were talking about body positioning in turns and I thought I read something about why putting your knee out helps you to corner.

So that's the question. Vote on the answer. And don't look at me because I'm not sure what's the correct answer
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 02:38 AM
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Depends on the skill, I think. Talk to an "amateur" track junkie and some will tell you that it helps them to "feel" their lean angle. Talk to some of those MotoGP guys and they'll tell you they're literally using their knee to keep the bike up and not wash out. As for me, I weigh 220+ lbs so I just shift my *** over a couple inches and don't bother with my knee because more than enough weight is shifted over as it is.
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 06:05 AM
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You missed the most important reason, "It looks cool and makes you look faster!".

Personally, not being Van Damme, I can't spread my knees that well, I focus more on the out-side knee against the tank to maintain ride position and body leverage on the corners.

Ern
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 08:35 PM
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The idea is to shift your weight and to keep the bike as upright as possible to maximize the side of your contact patch. As stated above, in some cases the rider actually uses the knee puck to hold himself up in the turn.

I don't think wind plays a part in the cornering action, most corners which could be taken at speeds high enough to cause wind drag on your knee would most likely not require you to put your knee out. Unless of course you are doing it for the "cool" factor.
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 10:35 PM
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Watch for the lane changes. Lookin slick out there.

YouTube - ‪Race Headrest Demo Video on Control‬‏
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 10:52 PM
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Well I put this in Track Techniques so it's really not about trying to look cool I think
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 11:44 PM
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You left out the option of;

Helps direct air to the crotch and inner thigh area for extra cooling.
 
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Old 06-25-2011, 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by pepperman
You left out the option of;

Helps direct air to the crotch and inner thigh area for extra cooling.
No, I didn't. This is an actual question
 


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