Why do MotoGP riders stick their legs out before turns?

emortal1333

emortal1333

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Random question as I sit here watching the MotoGP race:

As the title says, I was wondering why MotorGP riders, and presumably others who know what they're doing, stick their legs out before dropping into a turn?

Thanks,

Brandon
 
You'll get a dunch of different answers to this.Most believe that the riders are sticking their lag out to "set" the bike and themselves up for the entry to the turn.It's a combination of physical weight transfer and a mental note to get things in the proper space and time.Others?
 
Rossi started doing it after he recovered from injury a couple years ago so he could relieve the pressure on his leg. At that time it was only on his left side I believe. That's when I started to notice the leg "drag" more often, other riders started to follow suit.
 
MotoGP bikes are very fast and have very strong carbon brakes.
Braking is limited more by weight transfer (rear wheel lifting) than front tire traction.
The leg "drag" shifts more of the riders weight to the seat and theoretically allows harder braking or more stable braking.
Note how many riders will use it at times during a race but not all the time, it's a special tool in the toolbox.
 
To kick the safety car, incase it runs over their foot/toes/boot.


Or....what Wingboy said.
 
Ultimately, they all want to be like Rossi I guess.
 
emortal1333 said:
Random question as I sit here watching the MotoGP race:

As the title says, I was wondering why MotorGP riders, and presumably others who know what they're doing, stick their legs out before dropping into a turn?

Thanks,

Brandon
Click to expand...

Look at the video I posted: 'Faster'. There's a guy in it, something Robertson I think, who's credited with doing it first. He said he did it because it had something to do with steering the bike with the rear tire. Before him people just took turns without hanging off the bike.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?147273-Faster
 
You're thinking of Kenny Roberts.

He was not hanging his foot off, the OP is asking a different question
 
reciprocity said:
You're thinking of Kenny Roberts.

He was not hanging his foot off, the OP is asking a different question
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Youre right. IDK why i thought that was the answer.

[
Anyway, I watched one of this years motogp races; the track was getting wet and guys were sticking their legs out, the commentators said they were doing it to gauge how slick the ground had become.
Click to expand...
 
There have been lots of discussion regarding weight transfer and air braking in mags and online, some say it is BS (scientifically), others say there is something to it. Air braking is based based on surface area and the leg does not get larger in area with this method than say having the foot on the peg and the knee fully out ready for the turn (although there could be a small difference considering bike faring slip stream, but this could be cancelled by the amount of extra body hanging out...). As for weight transfer, the debate has been about weight further out from the bike low down verses better body and weight position on the bike itself (maybe this is why Rossi who does this feels the front end of the Ducati feels vague...). I am sure us mere mortals will never know for sure...

Another theory is it is a way of "cheating" by taking away as much space as possible (in the race line) for the inside pass (when the rider behind you could be late braking). This is about as valid as any of the other theories...
 
I do it to re-position my balls... ;)

Taking away space on the inside seems the most legit.
 
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reciprocity said:
Rossi wasn't the first to do it.

Go back the the early 90's and there were several front running riders doing it.
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I heard of that. I just assumed it was something to do with the 500's maniacal nature.

I don't remember seeing it in the 990 era. I am sure Rossi (re)started the trend on the 800s.
 
A dangling leg will have no effect on a passing rider.
I'm 100% certain that if I run my bike up against it, you'll put your leg away, so what value does it have?
 
raginduck said:
Why do motocross riders do it?
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the 2 are not the same

you turn an MX bike differently, moving your body to the outside of the bike and pushing the bike down.

In deep ruts and sharp turns, you cannot get your foot on the peg and make the turn.
 
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