I suspect there's no simple answer to this, but would be really interested in your opinions. I have done 10 track days (and 1 CSS day) last year. I was taught early on by an instructor to sit well back on machine, grip with knees, tuck in and so on. Keeps weight low and central, and loads rear end when power coming on etc? Then watched Simon Crafar's "The dark art of performance", in which he advocates sitting forward against tank, with more weight over front end. I guess that you experienced guys and girls find your own style incorporating your learning and experience, and develop techniques that work for you. What do you think about this position thing? Not planning any sudden changes in what I do! Steve
Oh eck, bit of a can of worms this Steve. I would say try both and go with what works for you. I prefer sitting forwards as the weight over the front helps me to get the thing turned and im more secure in braking. Posture on a bike is a series of components that all work together so it can become quite complicated. You can change positioning as you are riding (and probably should) for different conditions etc but for me the biggest thing to focus on for general riding is forearm positioning as most get it totally wrong (myself inc). Straight arms mean you cant turn but im sure they taught you all about that on the CSS. I want to do a track day this year!
I too have done CSS . I couldnt get on with their "sit back off the tank" style. This is down to me riding close to the tank for years. It is what is comfortable for me. I have also watched the simon crafer dvd recently. Simon is a "tank hugger" Gets right up against it. It works for him and others. Just do what is comfortable for you. As long as the rest of your body position is good you wont go far wrong. Remember when on the straights to sit right back as this will be better for aerodynamics therefore aiding your top speed. Good luck
Like others have said. It is what ever you feel comfortable with. I prefer the sitting forward approach. It makes sense to put more weight over the front wheel when cornering, leave the rear to sort itself out . ... Thanks for slipper clutches... arms nice and relaxed when in the corner. Off to mallory 4/5 first of the year, cant wait..
For me it's forward so in a corner I can get my head as low as poss, and only really push back when on a straight.
Thanks for these replies, it's really helpful. I will modify my approach, I was trying to sit back in every situation, and found it really distracting. It wasn't working well before, so will try some changes. Steve
Pushing your weight back on the bike helps on corner entry while you're on the brakes - it helps keep the rear on the ground and gripping, which is where the thinking comes from. Weighting the front helps turn the bike but once you're off the brakes and turned you go back to the throttle, which transfers the weight to the rear ... the timing of this, combined with bike setup, is a very personal thing and probably something you'd want to play around with once you understand how your inputs affect the bike. Personally, I push back on the way in and slide forward as I'm turning in then put all my weight through the outside peg... I haven't seen Crafar's video but I'd be pretty keen to check it out.
Depends on the corner for me, Long fast sweepers i got forward even when scrubbing of speed while braking. But entering a hard on brakes corner/scarepin i sat back in the seat using my knees for support against the tank allowing me then to quickly move forward to hang off to enter.
I was told to sit back in the seat when I had some instruction at Snetterton. However, my butt is too big for the seat and I only have an inch or two either way!!! Feels more comfortable to try and get seated further back, so I try and do this.
for me its usually up against the tank unless im lying flat on the tank,just cant do the grip the tank thing.tanks on bikes now are that narrow that it feels uncomfortable for me... old gixer no probs, 848.... feels like mt knees are going to meet in the middle.
I prefer sitting back, through most situations, works for me because I am a lankey sod. However, gripping the tank is the hardest part, hence why I raised the subject of stomp grips. Should get them next week.
