Lean IN or Lean OUT - Which is Safer?

Summary

This video explores the evolution of motorcycle riding techniques, contrasting the high-speed, aggressive 'hanging off' style used in MotoGP with the slower, tactical 'counterbalancing' favored in supermoto and tight turns. It traces how riding styles adapted to motorcycle design, tire technology, and speed, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. For everyday street riding, the video recommends a middle-ground technique, like shifting the upper body while staying seated, offering safety and stability without sacrificing control. Ultimately, it emphasizes that understanding and practicing different body positions allows riders to choose the safest and most effective technique for any situation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early motorcycle riders used counterleaning to help lean slow, heavy bikes with poor suspension.
• 😀 Over time, motorcycles became faster and more advanced, rendering counterleaning unnecessary in high-speed racing.
• 😀 MotoGP riders hang off the bike for better cornering, reduced footpeg scraping, and improved bike handling.
• 😀 Full knee-down riding is beneficial at high speeds and aggressive riding, but not ideal for everyday street riding.
• 😀 'Mirror kissing' (upper body lean without moving the butt) is a safer, more practical alternative for street riding.
• 😀 Counterbalancing allows quicker flicks from side to side and is effective for tight turns at slower speeds.
• 😀 Counterbalancing is often used in supermoto, motogymkhana, or rodeo-style riding on smaller, tighter tracks.
• 😀 Hanging off the bike improves suspension effectiveness and cornering grip, especially when cornering aggressively.
• 😀 Full racing body position reduces visibility and braking effectiveness, making it less practical for regular street riding.
• 😀 Both hanging off and counterbalancing have their advantages, but should be used selectively based on the situation.
• 😀 The best riders understand both techniques and adjust their body position depending on the bike's speed, traction, and handling.

Q & A

Why do MotoGP riders hang off the bike during high-speed cornering?

MotoGP riders hang off the bike to reduce the lean angle, keeping the bike more upright while allowing for faster cornering speeds. This helps prevent footpeg scraping and maintains better control over the bike, especially at high speeds.

What role does the suspension play when riders hang off the bike?

When riders hang off the bike, they shift their body weight, which helps the suspension work more effectively. This increases grip in the corner and makes the bike more stable by keeping it more upright.

What are the disadvantages of hanging off the bike for street riding?

The main disadvantages of hanging off the bike for street riding include reduced braking effectiveness due to the lack of knee support, limited vision in tighter corners because the rider's head is closer to the inside of the turn, and the fact that it’s not practical for everyday street riding unless pushing the bike to extreme limits.

How does hanging off the bike help in preventing footpeg scraping?

By shifting the rider’s weight to the inside of the turn, hanging off the bike allows the bike to remain more upright, reducing the lean angle. This prevents the footpegs from scraping the road during high-speed cornering.

What does the 'mirror kissing' body position involve, and when is it useful?

'Mirror kissing' is a body position where the rider shifts only the upper body towards the inside of the turn without moving their butt off the seat. It helps improve cornering at higher speeds while maintaining good vision and keeping the rider securely clamped to the tank. It is a good compromise between neutral and full knee-down positions, especially for street riding.

What is the main advantage of counterbalancing on a motorcycle?

Counterbalancing allows the rider to flick the bike faster from side to side by keeping the body upright and letting the bike lean underneath. It reduces the mass moment of inertia, making the bike more responsive and easier to maneuver, especially in tight, low-speed turns.

In which situations is counterbalancing most useful?

Counterbalancing is most useful in slow-speed situations, such as tight turns, supermoto events, rodeos, and gymkhana courses. It helps riders make sharper turns and navigate obstacles more efficiently at lower speeds.

Why is counterbalancing less effective at high speeds?

At high speeds, counterbalancing reduces the ground clearance of the bike and increases the risk of scraping parts on the road. Additionally, modern bikes with better tires and suspension no longer need counterbalancing for effective high-speed cornering.

What is the difference between the use of counterbalancing in supermoto and MotoGP?

In supermoto, counterbalancing is used more frequently because the speeds are lower, and tight turns are common. In MotoGP, however, counterbalancing is less common as bikes are faster, and modern riding techniques like hanging off the bike are more effective for high-speed cornering.

Can both hanging off and counterbalancing techniques be used together?

While both techniques have their specific uses, they are generally not used together. Hanging off is more suited for high-speed, high-lean cornering, whereas counterbalancing is better for slow-speed maneuvers. However, a rider may switch between the two depending on the situation, especially in different types of riding environments.