Hanging off the new GSA in turns

[VerdiBaritone]

I've got less than 3k miles on my new GSA but have the distinct impression that hanging off this bike even a little bit in corners seems to get big returns in letting the bike remain more upright and more on the center of the tires. Any current or former sportbike junkies have the same experience?

Maybe it just feels like a little (hanging) gets a lot (more upright) because the GSA is so tall. Or so well balanced. I do have to say that I am tremendously impressed with the overall balance of the bike--making it such a pleasure to ride off road-- but not sure how balance could be that much more sensitive/responsive on the GSA than my former bikes, a Multistrada 1200, K12S, and F800s. In fact, I have done Keith Code on the S1000RR, and while that bike seems to defy the laws of physics, i don't remember having that same sensation on it.

[lhendrik]

"Yeah, hang off - and also throw your inside leg out as you brake for the apex to transfer weight - will really help your lap times big time"

- Valentino Rossi

[def]

Originally Posted by VerdiBaritone

I've got less than 3k miles on my new GSA but have the distinct impression that hanging off this bike even a little bit in corners seems to get big returns in letting the bike remain more upright and more on the center of the tires. Any current or former sportbike junkies have the same experience?

Maybe it just feels like a little (hanging) gets a lot (more upright) because the GSA is so tall. Or so well balanced. I do have to say that I am tremendously impressed with the overall balance of the bike--making it such a pleasure to ride off road-- but not sure how balance could be that much more sensitive/responsive on the GSA than my former bikes, a Multistrada 1200, K12S, and F800s. In fact, I have done Keith Code on the S1000RR, and while that bike seems to defy the laws of physics, i don't remember having that same sensation on it.

Hanging off a GS? The GS is not a race bike...don't fall off.

Verdi's Requiem...his best work IMO.

[El Gato]

Yes, it helps. A lot. Go take a Lee Parks Total Control class. You obviously don't need to ride so aggressively on the street that you actually drag knees, but employing the basic principles makes a huge difference.


Here's a pic of a fellow classmate on a GS from the class I took last year (I was on a V-Strom at the time):



... and here's me on the V-Strom at the time:

[DrLax]

[VerdiBaritone]

Originally Posted by def

Hanging off a GS? The GS is not a race bike...don't fall off.

Verdi's Requiem...his best work IMO.

I'll try not to fall off. Thanks.
(I now think it's the height of the bike I'm sensing.)

I'm partial to Un Ballo in Maschera.
Still learning arias in the others.

[bobbybob]

Originally Posted by VerdiBaritone

I'll try not to fall off. Thanks.
(I now think it's the height of the bike I'm sensing.)

I also think its the reduction in perceived height above the road moreso than the usual "hanging-off benefits" (assuming you also lean towards the mirrors while hanging off). It puts you back in touch with the pavement and increases feel for the lean angle. And of course that increases overall confidence in the bargain.

Sitting up so high, when you first flick the bike over, your head moves further in an arc that is much longer than when sitting lower to the ground. This gives the false impression of a greater lean angle, i.e. perception comes into play. IMHO.

[viz]

I weight shift ever so slightly in corners - like shifting the weight onto the inside buttock and leading with the shoulder, but I don't hang a knee. Don't need to.

For some reason this makes the bike more stable and neutral in corners, and easier to react to changing radii if I need to. And reduces saw-toothing.

In wet weather I do this in a more aggressive way - I shift a buttock to the inside, leading with the shoulder (but again no knee) - again for stability and to keep the bike upright as possible. Wet weather riding bothers me little doing it this way...

viz

[DriftDragon]

I live on a road with huge s curves... I hang off as far as I can on the road and I think its even more useful on a boxer that is limited in how far it can lean over. I personally am not so sure its a big risk to fall off unless you are going too slow.

[DriftDragon]

BTW... these pictures are nowhere near as much as I hang off.

[PhaseShifter]

Hanging off? WassatgutodoowithaGS?

[bemiiten]

Originally Posted by El Gato

This pic speaks volumes as to whats wrong with hanging off as a goal as opposed when it actually does some good. Look at the unnatural bends in your arms and wrists. Your sacrificing control to 'get a knee down' instead of maintaining a loose grip with smooth and natural control inputs.

[VerdiBaritone]

Originally Posted by viz

I weight shift ever so slightly in corners - like shifting the weight onto the inside buttock and leading with the shoulder, but I don't hang a knee. Don't need to.

For some reason this makes the bike more stable and neutral in corners, and easier to react the changing radii if I need to. And reduces saw-toothing.

In wet weather I do this in a more aggressive way - I shift a buttock to the inside, leading with the shoulder (but again no knee) - again for stability and to keep the bike upright as possible. Wet weather riding bothers me little doing it this way...

viz

Yep...this is what I am asking about. I don't try to drag a knee, but find getting the weight inside the turn has big reward on this bike.

[DanVFR]

I've ridden most types of bikes for hundreds of miles, including riding a GS1200adv 2008 yesturday for 180 miles. Hanging off the bike to the point of knee down is not a good way to ride on the road, firstly if your riding so fast you have to knee down then your riding too fast for the road and secondly concentrating on knee down or hanging off looses concentration on riding.

I move around on the seat at corner entry on some bikes like my Duc 749s to make the steering more stable and balance the bike. But that's about it, hanging off like a monkey unless it's a long sweeping 100mph+ corner will just mean your not concentrating on your entry speed etcetc.

I ride the GS different than a sports bike, use the big wide bars for leverage and keep my elbows bent. knees holding the tank, use the increased visability from it's height to look far ahead and plan.

[El Gato]

Originally Posted by bemiiten

This pic speaks volumes as to whats wrong with hanging off as a goal as opposed when it actually does some good. Look at the unnatural bends in your arms and wrists. Your sacrificing control to 'get a knee down' instead of maintaining a loose grip with smooth and natural control inputs.

There's nothing 'unnatural' about the position, and it results in greater control, not less.