VFR Discussion Group -> To hang off or not to hang off that's the question

Quote (markvfr @ Sep. 07 2004)

I don't know if anyone mentioned that "hanging off" �in the rain greatly improves your chances of staying up on the slick pavement due to less lean angle/side g-forces on the tire. �I say "improves your chances" since unfortunately in my case that did not help as I lowsided at 120km/h on saturday after hitting a patch of oil/grease in the rain. �My bike ended up perfectly vertical (ass end up) in a patch of trees 130-150ft away while I ended up 20ft past the bike in between smaller trees. �Bruised wrist and cracked/bruised ribs is all I suffered. �I feel extremely lucky right now. ??? Be careful out there hanging off or not... Mark in Calgary 00Blue800FI

Ouch!!  Sorry to hear of your mishap.  Hope you and the bike heal up quickly.

I hang off just enough to reduce lean angle in the sweepers. Pretty much stay in the saddle in the really tight stuff.

I almost always hang off when doing spirited riding. Sometimes I hang off just a little bit when just cruising around. I hang off as much as I can when really riding, especially on the track. If you're not hanging, your not banging! :P

ULEWZ, Jan 23 2005, 11:09 PMI almost always hang off when doing spirited riding. Sometimes I hang off just a little bit when just cruising around. I hang off as much as I can when really riding, especially on the track. If you're not hanging, your not banging!  :P

hanging off and banging are not mutualy condusive :o

767fixer, Jan 23 2005, 10:15 PMhanging off and banging are not mutualy condusive  :o

That all depends on the technique and position. :P

Hurricane249, Jan 23 2005, 11:23 PMThat all depends on the technique and position. :P

or length ....of the curve

You know what I mean. :P

Bang your head! :Thrash:

I need more emoticons..... Yo Mama ;)

I just scootch a cheek and maybe hang a knee out, depending on the turn and my mood. I think its more important to be smooth on the throttle than hang off personally. But for me a scoot to the inside of the turn will do wonders.

Hanging off is a highly overrated skill as far as I am concerned. If you NEED to hang off on public roads, you are going at highly illegal speeds and are a danger to yourself and others. -> take it to the track. If you don't need to, and you do, well... -> squid behaviour. <_<

Just my opinion of course.

What really make me laugh is seeing someone on their late model sports bike = GSXR/CBR/ZXR/XYZR lining up a 5 degree corner 500 yards early with both there arse cheeks hanging off the side :blink: :blink:

You comfortably go around the same corner without even so much as thinking about it...

vfrgreg, Jan 24 2005, 08:27 AMWhat really make me laugh is seeing someone on their late model sports bike = GSXR/CBR/ZXR/XYZR lining up a 5 degree corner 500 yards early with both there arse cheeks hanging off the side  :blink:  :blink:

You comfortably go around the same corner without even so much as thinking about it...

Yeah, and then overtake him over the outside sitting straight up. Does wonders for their confidence. :lol:

vfrgreg, Jan 24 2005, 01:27 AMWhat really make me laugh is seeing someone on their late model sports bike = GSXR/CBR/ZXR/XYZR lining up a 5 degree corner 500 yards early with both there arse cheeks hanging off the side  :blink:  :blink:

You comfortably go around the same corner without even so much as thinking about it...

Actually, lining up for a corner before you get there is the recommended method. You don't want to shift your weight in the turn, as that will unsettle the bike. Call it what you want, but hanging off makes things safer. I want to see you pass me on the outside without hanging off. Those that can do, those that can't, complain about those that do. JMO :P

ULEWZ, Jan 24 2005, 02:49 PMActually, lining up for a corner before you get there is the recommended method. You don't want to shift your weight in the turn, as that will unsettle the bike. Call it what you want, but hanging off makes things safer. I want to see you pass me on the outside without hanging off.  Those that can do, those that can't, complain about those that do. JMO :P

There is a lot to be said about hanging off, but safer? Sorry, that just doesn't go in with me. I'm not saying it is less safe, but it isn't safer either.

afterburn, Jan 24 2005, 04:33 PMThere is a lot to be said about hanging off, but safer? Sorry, that just doesn't go in with me. I'm not saying it is less safe, but it isn't safer either.

Getting off to the inside of the bike(especially if done correctly for max advantage) means that the bike will be carrying less lean angle.......meaning that there will be more tire contact with the ground......meaning better traction = Safer.

You may not agree but that's the reality of it ;)

Das Bone, Jan 24 2005, 11:10 AMGetting off to the inside of the bike(especially if done correctly for max advantage) means that the bike will be carrying less lean angle.......meaning that there will be more tire contact with the ground......meaning better traction = Safer.

You may not agree but that's the reality of it ;)

Thanks Boney. You took with words right out of my mouth. :)
For those that don't hang off, I pose this to you. Try just shifting your butt a little on the seat before entering a turn, and post back. It takes a little practice, but really pays dividends in the long run.

ULEWZ, Jan 24 2005, 09:49 AM.  Those that can do, those that can't, complain about those that do. JMO :P

(insert smack record player to stop skipping emoticon here :P )

Das Bone, Jan 24 2005, 06:10 PMGetting off to the inside of the bike(especially if done correctly for max advantage) means that the bike will be carrying less lean angle.......meaning that there will be more tire contact with the ground......meaning better traction = Safer.

You may not agree but that's the reality of it ;)

My tire is worn to edge on the right side but has a good 1/2" of chicken strip on the left. This confused me for awhile because I'm very comfortable turning to the left, it just feels more natural. I'm not as comfortable turning right. Then I realized I hang off in left turns but not in right turns. I think the wear on the tire proves that the bike is indeed more upright when hanging off.

"lining up a 5 degree corner 500 yards early with both there arse cheeks hanging off the side"

Hey ULEWZ - you lean when going through a little pimple of a corner? :D

Somehow I don't think so.... :P

Seriously if the speed justifys it I hang, if not I just sit where I am. :)

It makes for more comfortable cornering. I say do it when needed.

Those that can do, those that can't, complain about those that do.

The saying I always heard was

Those that can, do.
Those that can't, teach.
Those that can't teach, are coaches.

:lol:

VFR4Lee, Jan 24 2005, 06:46 PMIt makes for more comfortable cornering. I say do it when needed.
The saying I always heard was

  :lol:

I took some creative liberties. :P

If you want to practise the "hangin' off" then here is an example how to safe to do it. The only problem with this tipe of hanging is it is hard to stay there. (it depends on your weight... ;) ) Oh, and I still could not put my knee down. :angry:

(IMG:http://www.farkasbalint.com/vfrd/Resize_of_143_4317.JPG)

Btw johne, I have that strange left turning preference as well. :unsure: I am not sure where it is from either.

VFR4Lee, Jan 24 2005, 07:46 PMIt makes for more comfortable cornering. I say do it when needed.
The saying I always heard was

  :lol:

The one I always heard was: Those that can do, those that can't teach, those that can do neither become consultants. :D

oyama, Jan 24 2005, 08:10 PMIf you want to practise the "hangin' off" then here is an example how to safe to do it. The only problem with this tipe of hanging is it is hard to stay there. (it depends on your weight...  ;) ) Oh, and I still could not put my knee down.  :angry:

(IMG:http://www.farkasbalint.com/vfrd/Resize_of_143_4317.JPG)

Btw johne, I have that strange left turning preference as well.  :unsure:  I am not sure where it is from either.

Oyama you squid you! Where's your helmet and gloves. :P Nice lean though. Are you thinking of owning the corners?

Holy cow Oyama! lookin good there! Goin so fast your hair ain't even messed up! On a Buell even! :o

VFR4Lee, Jan 24 2005, 07:46 PMThose that can, do.
Those that can't, teach.
Those that can't teach, are coaches.

And those that have never taught or coached use those sayings cause they have no clue. ;)

tbzep, Jan 24 2005, 08:54 PMAnd those that have never taught or coached use those sayings cause they have no clue.  ;)

I wonder when Professor/Coach Rot Gut would chime in. :P (insert time for another emitcon here)

And those that have never taught or coached use those sayings cause they have no clue.

:D heheh. Guilty.

Oyama, they had that tilting Buell at the LA MC show too. Or was that where you saw it? Leans over real good, but doesn't move since it's bolted down. :lol:

Hurricane249 I am sorry for my squidy behavior, but according to the speed and road conditions I wore the proper gear. :P

VFR4Lee I saw the tilting Buell at motorcycle show, but not at the LA MC. I saw it at the Atlanta, GA show. Btw, the show was not bad, but I was expecting a little bit more. Or I just spoiled with the BikeWeek selection? :unsure: I also saw the world traveller guy with his Yamaha R1. I donated him a little, so hopefully he will keep riding and posting picures on his website.

oyama, Jan 25 2005, 10:33 AMHurricane249 I am sorry for my squidy behavior, but according to the speed and road conditions I wore the proper gear.  :P

Ok, I'll accept that since you assessed the situation. Please be careful at future motorcycle shows and also on the horsey in front of Wal Mart. :lol: