Last night I sat and watched bike racing which I had recorded from the tv, first time I've done this for years. The Moto GP from Philip Island was breathtaking to say the least, some bloke called Zarko, or something like that, was a glimpse of the future for sure? I did notice riders sticking their legs out from time to time when approaching ' slower ' bends and wondered about this. Afterwards I watched WSBK and was amazed to see what looked like all the riders doing this leg out thing in an almost synchronized move on a very regular basis. This is a new tactic to me, what is it all about? Can someone enlighten me please? I have noticed riders of automatic small wheeled mopeds sticking their legs out on roads where I live and can see no valid reason for this whatsoever, in these cases it makes me shudder to think of the consequences to said limb should these riders happen to fall off. I now assume that they are simply aping the pro's without realising the potential dangers to limb and joints? I'll keep my old feet firmly on the footrests where they belong! Curly
It's supposed to be about weight distribution. As you know riders no longer simply sit on the seat and chuck the bike around. They move all over in the seat, shifting their weight about to aid handling. Legs are heavy, sticking one leg out moves even more weight away from the bike. That I believe is the theory although I suspect it only has benefits when you're close to the edge of what bike and rider are capable of. Doing it on a roundabout on the A34 while riding a scooter probably doesn't help much.
Valentino Rossi started this several years ago,no one quite knows why he did it ,the commentators used to call it a stress monitor when he first started doing it..ie going into the corners too hot so he would stick out his leg.but they think it's more likely to be an "extra brake" for going into certain corners but whatever it is a lot of riders are doing it nowadays
This explains it. https://www.reddit.com/r/motogp/comments/77gr6z/simon_crafar_explains_the_leg_dangle/
It also seems to be used as a form of blocking technique by some riders making themselves wider and therefore harder to pass, although I have seen riders come through anyway knocking the leg out of the way in the process, I would, if I had the skill they have
Now I've got an excuse when the dreaded cramp starts - " making my Rocket bigger " it's already a hgv
That vid goes someway to explain it, but im not convinced entirely. My thoughts are, what do most of them do on their days off....ride motorcross. Rossi even has his own track, so if he started it, and invites others to use his track , they are going to pick up habits from one to the other. Watch motorcross, all if not most do the same on all corners. Thats the only reason i can see it being used, also goes some way to understand the balance he was on about in the vid as well.
I'm sure there are loads of people who will offer "logical" reasons for this behaviour - but I'll offer another alternative reason. Rossi, (who is a real comedian and loves playing around whilst racing) one day a few years ago had a thought "I wonder if the others will copy me if I do something really daft, you know, really stupid ? Tell you what, I'll stick me leg right out just before a corner !!!! If anybody asks I'll tell 'em it helps me go round corners quicker".
I reckon Stollydriver is on the money. Leg goes out for a stretch to shake the cramp off. Nothing to do with technique or weight distribution.
Rossi was once asked why he did it,his reply was i don't know but i know why others are now doing it!
Ah, now it begins to make sense! Where the GOAT goes the rest of the pack, sorry I mean flock, will surely follow! Curly
Not only can they stick their legs out, they can recognise Fiona Bruce and Barack Obama when they're spectating!!!
