madmike2
Shtirrenuppenmeister
One thing that might be mentioned in this conversation is that, even if you don't realize it, your body is participating in the physical forces at work while your bike is cornering, either positively or negatively (Read dcarvers tips on dirt techniques not having a positive effect on street cornering).
I am a proponent of shifting body mass for corners. Even when in "scenery appreciation" mode, my head is turned toward the exit, I usually have the balls of my feet on the pegs if it is a twisty or curvy road and I'm slightly leaning my upper body into the corner.
When I occaisionally get "spirited" I will shift my "hinder parts" (Even on my Russell seat! You do realize that only means rotating your lower body around, using the gas cap as a center point.), lean more forward on the bars (to make up for the risers), and get my shoulder over the inside handlebar and pressuring the foot pegs as mentioned by exskibum. I'm not talking about hanging off the bike like the local squid or trying to emulate the racing heroes but slightly shifting the COG. Of course it takes forethought and looking ahead to plan for the next corner so that your position is changed for that corner's direction before you arrive at the entrance to that corner....but then we should have our eyes and mind focused that far ahead.
Like exskibum, I find no need to hang my lower knee out to appear more competitive. In fact I like having my knee pressed into the "notch" of the fairing...it is actually a pretty good "stop" for how far I rotate my 32" inseam around, and far enough for street riding. It merely enhances the enjoyment of the ride.
If properly done it should be as fluid as the "applied brake, release brake while rolling onto the throttle" transitions we are all supposed to master in oder to control our motorcycles smoothly while riding at any speed. The problem arises when one doesn't "practice" these events so that one is prepared to use every tool available.
It is entirely possible that there will never be any consensus on the issue. I think that practice of this cornering technique is no different than practicing emergency (or maximum) braking, using stop and go traffic to work on my brake to throttle transitions or finding an empty parking lot to practice U-turns and figure eights at various speeds to increase my bike control. There will be those who do so and those who won't.
I want to be part of the ride every time I ride. And I want to be aware of where my mental acuity or emotions are so that I don't ride beyond that limit. To me, its all part of riding my own ride.
I am a proponent of shifting body mass for corners. Even when in "scenery appreciation" mode, my head is turned toward the exit, I usually have the balls of my feet on the pegs if it is a twisty or curvy road and I'm slightly leaning my upper body into the corner.
When I occaisionally get "spirited" I will shift my "hinder parts" (Even on my Russell seat! You do realize that only means rotating your lower body around, using the gas cap as a center point.), lean more forward on the bars (to make up for the risers), and get my shoulder over the inside handlebar and pressuring the foot pegs as mentioned by exskibum. I'm not talking about hanging off the bike like the local squid or trying to emulate the racing heroes but slightly shifting the COG. Of course it takes forethought and looking ahead to plan for the next corner so that your position is changed for that corner's direction before you arrive at the entrance to that corner....but then we should have our eyes and mind focused that far ahead.
Like exskibum, I find no need to hang my lower knee out to appear more competitive. In fact I like having my knee pressed into the "notch" of the fairing...it is actually a pretty good "stop" for how far I rotate my 32" inseam around, and far enough for street riding. It merely enhances the enjoyment of the ride.
If properly done it should be as fluid as the "applied brake, release brake while rolling onto the throttle" transitions we are all supposed to master in oder to control our motorcycles smoothly while riding at any speed. The problem arises when one doesn't "practice" these events so that one is prepared to use every tool available.
It is entirely possible that there will never be any consensus on the issue. I think that practice of this cornering technique is no different than practicing emergency (or maximum) braking, using stop and go traffic to work on my brake to throttle transitions or finding an empty parking lot to practice U-turns and figure eights at various speeds to increase my bike control. There will be those who do so and those who won't.
I want to be part of the ride every time I ride. And I want to be aware of where my mental acuity or emotions are so that I don't ride beyond that limit. To me, its all part of riding my own ride.
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h34r: 
