I've been lucky enough & privileged to receive this advice & many more riding tips from yourself when you were my instructor at the Ron Haslam race school a few years ago now. It's stayed with me ever since. Great video 👍
I remember when my knee touched down for the first time on track. I had learned to lean off like this and as my speed increased I naturally leant over more. It was like the track came up to touch my knee, not I was stretching down to touch. I have small legs like a gibbon too. 😁
exactly!! I learned this myself by accident to lean over and drag the knee. I found out by trial and error that my elbow had to touch my knee with half of my ass off the bike.
All my 'cool moves' happened by accident. Leaning was a corner that tightened up unexpectedly, choice was either slowly move towards the barrier or just hang off more. Wheelie happened because we were between cars at the lights, I wanted to get away quick to give my friend some room. Cleanest wheelie ever, didn't know it was going on until the horizon started disappearing behind my dash. Went a long distance on the back wheel until the end of the rev counter came up (didn't dare to shift while wheelying). Smooth landing too! Weird thing, experienced both now, but still I never do it on purpose.
Nothing is better than your tutorial Tarran.. Exactly opposite like you but your brother except the skills are intact. Feeling the positive throttle through the corner is like to keep the grip without sacrifising a decent lap time.
One thing about the left vs right turns- I found I'm more comfortable leaning off depending on how the track goes. I'm more comfortable leaning right on clockwise tracks and left on counterclockwise tracks. You get more comfortable on the side you spend more time leaning.
Great video mate, from Aus 🇦🇺. Going to my first track day in January, can't wait. Not fazed about getting my knee down and going a millions mph, but the body position portion of the video was really good. Just subscribed. Have a great Christmas 🎄
I agree with @belly450 One of the best and simplest videos on leaning. Also the tidbits about breaking and throttling in and out are great points. Thank you.
It’s much easier to understand your body tips if you contemplate the physics. Most people probably don’t. Moving your body to the inside does 2 key things that unintuively help each other. Moving the center of gravity left will make the bike turn left without handlebar input involved, while simultaneously standing the bike up toward the right. The faster you go the more critical this is since faster equals more bike angle to make the turn. The only way to keep the bike at the max angle (without exceeding it and spilling) is to get your body inside and low so the bike leans away from you rather than hitting the sidewall of the tires and spilling. Counter leaning is quick and better for slow speeds since you’re no where near the edge of tired traction. It’s not possible on a track unless you’re riding at 50% speed or something. Same applies to neutral body position, maybe you can ride at 70% speed with that. At max speed the only possible solution is leaning inside the turn
Another customer here from the Rocket Ron Haslam Race School at Donington track. I was trying to stick my knee straight out to the side which wasn't working for me. I was told to bring my hip further off the seat and to bring my leg and knee forward, and then I touched my knee down after several laps practicing this. Easiest track corner for me is the 40mph hairpin at Brands Hatch after the steep downhill after the start line. 35mph, 40mph, and because it's 180° corner at fairly low speed there's plenty of time to get position right. The short circuit lap time is just under a minute for newest track riders. This means there's plenty of time to repeat the laps over and over in a session so you can get it just right. I thought a short circuit might be a bit boring or limited but in reality it means you can practice and practice.
Also, because of bringing the knee forward brings the hip off the bike more, and leaning the chest close to the tank and forward means easy bending of the elbows.
@6:33 minutes Hanging off requires a higher pace. That is actually the purpose of hanging off i.e. cornering at higher speed. Edit: Also you lean your bike less, when hanging off.
Had the best first track day with your good self and Mr Whitham at Croft on my brand new Buildbase replica GSXR1000R good couple of 3 +years ago, never forget it as it was pi**ing it down but i still learnt so much. Cheers Taylor.
Thank you for this detailed explanation of body position. I always try to touch the back of my hand with my gin, but next time I'll try your way to bring the elbow down to the knee instead. 🏍💪
About body positioning during the braking phase, ok hanging off the bike, but the difficult part its counter steering while in the straight part of the braking (before leaning the bike over). If you have a 200 meters braking zone, you’ll spend the good part of 150 meters counter steering the bike to go straight if you lean inside the bike from the get go. This happens also in left/right/left (or the opposite) if you decide to keep your bum out on the left also for the right turn to shave some time/fatigue. It’s always a bit scary to do so much counter steering while hanging off
Touched knee down at 16 on a dt50lc on knobbley tyres for 1 glorious moment. ...then lost the front and put a hole in my baggy jean wearing knee. Now 50 years old and fancy having another go on my gsxr750 when it drys up.😊
@colinm1325 im now 50 with achey joints so il definitely have full leathers.😀 actually think i got some cheep ones after that spill. Did have a £400 shoei helmet which cost more than the bike but obviously didnt value my knees at the same level back then. Hahaha
This reveals the street riding habits. Hanging off in lefthanders is harder for him because his experience comes from being on the left side of the road. Here in the U.S.A. it's the opposite. I've almost rear-ended some guys going into right handers they're corner speed was so different. And NEVER lube yer seat !!
@@rudebwoy8Same, but i put that down to being a left footed football so generally more confident on my left. Getting better on my right though as i have focussed more on it during track days.
might have to do more with being regular or goofy. ^People become proficient quick to the other side of the road. Not so much with their strong leg inside the corner
In 20+ years of SPORT-touring and a couple dozen track days (including well-known track schools), the only time I've gotten my knee down was a low-side on a wet road (quickly followed by my elbow and shoulder, LOL). Maybe I'm just slow AF, or not as flexible as I used to be (currently north of 60). We will try again next season with more schools and a couple track days.
Are you sure this wasn't just an opportunity to post some super slow mo footage of you?? 😂 Great video, great tips. I've not been on a track day for a few years now but my upper body was always my downfall, could not ever get my head to be near the wing mirror = pristine knee sliders 🤣
your videos are really amazing. Especially since I'm a new track rider, next year my goal is to get my knee down with the correct body position. When I try to lean, should my ass be completely off the seat or just half?
These are great tips, I think when someone gets that first touch, it just gets easier and easier to lean past the fear like you said. Off topic, where would you get your stickers or prints done for your leathers? Cheers
Hey Taylor, I love this video, very cool. I can get my knee down on the track but I was wondering if you can still trail brake the rear when hanging off the right hand side of the bike ? If you can answer I would much appreciate this as it does my head in 😆 over the past years now that I use my rear brake when cornering.
I struggle myself doing that! A lot of rear brakes can be hard to reach, I find it easier using a thumb brake or scooter brake system setup. I hope that helps 😁
@@tmac77 I have been thinking about this set up since Mick Doohan damaged his right leg that bad he could not use his rear brake. Thank you for backing this up. I will love to sort this out for sure now. Must be so good and easy to use.
how far is your crotch from the tank ? i feel im too far and while braking i get thrown closer to the tank because as i open my knee i have no way to squeze the tank with the outside leg.
Is it supposed to be tiring to hang off the bike? I can achieve knee down consistently but holding it there is tiring and strenuous on the track. Is it supposed to be tiring? Or a breeze to hold it there
First of all is the physical condition of the rider.................. this is the wrong that everybody thinks that he can drive like VR ......... but the result is critical and fatal sometimes......... So the TIP is : don't buy a motorcycle you can't REALLY ride, or buy it just for show off and don't try the limits of the machine.........
sorry but hanging of so that the bike has to lean less yes it will help with pushing the bike trew the corner but you can do that with counter steering to but the main point of hanging of is less lean agnle for the bike
@@Flacojandro You are technically right in that detail but 500cc championships were the predecessors of today's MotoGP. The "if you can ride you can ride" phrase doesn't explain how his unorthodox technique left him standing and in front of his competition. There's Physics involved and I was trying to instigate a discussion about that. I find that dirt bike style riding and turning works extremely well (and safe) on the tarmac. At least with tall adventure bikes. I've also tried it on my GTR1400 with good results and not one hiccup (like the losing of the front). So...
Anyway. Why are you not getting back the track in anger, you are far too good to not race.. you could be out on superstocks and sports being at the pointy end.. I see cooper on tv leading loads of races every weekend in the summer and you are faster than him… Get a bike,, your dad will pay !! Then the sponsors will come💪💪
I used to ride a lot at mountain roads and had a habbit of opening throttle early in the corner, it seems completely not be suitable for track riding and I really need to change the cornering habbit.
A bit of a conundrum as to why people have a preference for leaning left or right, we can rule out wether it’s being left or right handed, because I am right handed but much prefer leaning left 🤔
This has to be the single best video I have seen explaining knee down. I haven’t done it yet but this breaks it down perfectly. Nice one Tmac
Hopefully it can make the difference for you if that’s something you’re aiming for 😁
@@tmac77hope so mate. Got plenty of track days booked next year
This guys a great teacher.
Sylvain Guintoli has an identical video on his channel from years ago.
Fantastic transformation in such a short space of time. Looks really good on the last session. Nice one Taylor.
Thanks so much! 😊
I've been lucky enough & privileged to receive this advice & many more riding tips from yourself when you were my instructor at the Ron Haslam race school a few years ago now. It's stayed with me ever since. Great video 👍
Glad to be of service 🫡
Great advice TM. I’ve been one of the lucky ones that have had this advice first hand on track from you mate!
Glad to help as always 😁
I remember when my knee touched down for the first time on track. I had learned to lean off like this and as my speed increased I naturally leant over more. It was like the track came up to touch my knee, not I was stretching down to touch. I have small legs like a gibbon too. 😁
This is a great way to put it.... a huge part of getting your knee down the right way is simply pace/lean angle. Longer legs obviously help too.
exactly!! I learned this myself by accident to lean over and drag the knee. I found out by trial and error that my elbow had to touch my knee with half of my ass off the bike.
All my 'cool moves' happened by accident. Leaning was a corner that tightened up unexpectedly, choice was either slowly move towards the barrier or just hang off more. Wheelie happened because we were between cars at the lights, I wanted to get away quick to give my friend some room. Cleanest wheelie ever, didn't know it was going on until the horizon started disappearing behind my dash. Went a long distance on the back wheel until the end of the rev counter came up (didn't dare to shift while wheelying). Smooth landing too! Weird thing, experienced both now, but still I never do it on purpose.
Single best video on the subject! Well done
Nothing is better than your tutorial Tarran.. Exactly opposite like you but your brother except the skills are intact. Feeling the positive throttle through the corner is like to keep the grip without sacrifising a decent lap time.
One thing about the left vs right turns- I found I'm more comfortable leaning off depending on how the track goes. I'm more comfortable leaning right on clockwise tracks and left on counterclockwise tracks. You get more comfortable on the side you spend more time leaning.
Great video mate, from Aus 🇦🇺. Going to my first track day in January, can't wait. Not fazed about getting my knee down and going a millions mph, but the body position portion of the video was really good. Just subscribed. Have a great Christmas 🎄
I agree with @belly450 One of the best and simplest videos on leaning. Also the tidbits about breaking and throttling in and out are great points. Thank you.
It’s much easier to understand your body tips if you contemplate the physics. Most people probably don’t.
Moving your body to the inside does 2 key things that unintuively help each other. Moving the center of gravity left will make the bike turn left without handlebar input involved, while simultaneously standing the bike up toward the right. The faster you go the more critical this is since faster equals more bike angle to make the turn. The only way to keep the bike at the max angle (without exceeding it and spilling) is to get your body inside and low so the bike leans away from you rather than hitting the sidewall of the tires and spilling. Counter leaning is quick and better for slow speeds since you’re no where near the edge of tired traction. It’s not possible on a track unless you’re riding at 50% speed or something. Same applies to neutral body position, maybe you can ride at 70% speed with that. At max speed the only possible solution is leaning inside the turn
Another customer here from the Rocket Ron Haslam Race School at Donington track. I was trying to stick my knee straight out to the side which wasn't working for me. I was told to bring my hip further off the seat and to bring my leg and knee forward, and then I touched my knee down after several laps practicing this.
Easiest track corner for me is the 40mph hairpin at Brands Hatch after the steep downhill after the start line. 35mph, 40mph, and because it's 180° corner at fairly low speed there's plenty of time to get position right.
The short circuit lap time is just under a minute for newest track riders. This means there's plenty of time to repeat the laps over and over in a session so you can get it just right.
I thought a short circuit might be a bit boring or limited but in reality it means you can practice and practice.
Also, because of bringing the knee forward brings the hip off the bike more, and leaning the chest close to the tank and forward means easy bending of the elbows.
@6:33 minutes
Hanging off requires a higher pace. That is actually the purpose of hanging off i.e. cornering at higher speed.
Edit: Also you lean your bike less, when hanging off.
This is true. I can't get my knee down on the street because I'm not carrying enough pace.
Great video, id love to have you make a video on trusting your tires. That was huge for me starting out, understanding how good road tires really are.
Great insights and explanations - thank you sir. G.
Had the best first track day with your good self and Mr Whitham at Croft on my brand new Buildbase replica GSXR1000R good couple of 3 +years ago, never forget it as it was pi**ing it down but i still learnt so much. Cheers Taylor.
Thanks Taylor good info Great explanation looking forward to some track days
Glad you enjoyed it, more to come 😁
Absolutely great analysis and direction.
Glad to hear it!
Thank you for this detailed explanation of body position. I always try to touch the back of my hand with my gin, but next time I'll try your way to bring the elbow down to the knee instead. 🏍💪
Great video man!!😊
thank you for the video!
Great video! Thanks for the tips very useful 🙏
About body positioning during the braking phase, ok hanging off the bike, but the difficult part its counter steering while in the straight part of the braking (before leaning the bike over). If you have a 200 meters braking zone, you’ll spend the good part of 150 meters counter steering the bike to go straight if you lean inside the bike from the get go. This happens also in left/right/left (or the opposite) if you decide to keep your bum out on the left also for the right turn to shave some time/fatigue.
It’s always a bit scary to do so much counter steering while hanging off
Leaning left feels great! I got it down perfectly. It’s leaning to the right that’s slowing my lap times! 😩😩
Touched knee down at 16 on a dt50lc on knobbley tyres for 1 glorious moment. ...then lost the front and put a hole in my baggy jean wearing knee. Now 50 years old and fancy having another go on my gsxr750 when it drys up.😊
Hey there TCB, will you be in leathers this time for the knee touchdown?
Kind Regards and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
@colinm1325 im now 50 with achey joints so il definitely have full leathers.😀 actually think i got some cheep ones after that spill. Did have a £400 shoei helmet which cost more than the bike but obviously didnt value my knees at the same level back then. Hahaha
This reveals the street riding habits. Hanging off in lefthanders is harder for him because his experience comes from being on the left side of the road. Here in the U.S.A. it's the opposite. I've almost rear-ended some guys going into right handers they're corner speed was so different. And NEVER lube yer seat !!
Not specific to where you reside. I’m from the UK and I’m far more confident in left handers than I am in the right hand turns.
@@rudebwoy8Same, but i put that down to being a left footed football so generally more confident on my left. Getting better on my right though as i have focussed more on it during track days.
@@NickyLong89 yeh that’s prob it, as I’m left footed too. It’s annoying as most tracks and UK roundabouts are right turns lol!
might have to do more with being regular or goofy. ^People become proficient quick to the other side of the road. Not so much with their strong leg inside the corner
Great seeing you at the bike show.. need to book up some track time with you buddy 👍🏼
👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the video!
A request to wear contrasting color hoodies since it makes distinguishing from the bike hard :)
Turning the bars to the right on a right turn almost killed me at 75 mph. Forced myself right off the road.
Awesome video mate.
Thanks a lot!
In 20+ years of SPORT-touring and a couple dozen track days (including well-known track schools), the only time I've gotten my knee down was a low-side on a wet road (quickly followed by my elbow and shoulder, LOL). Maybe I'm just slow AF, or not as flexible as I used to be (currently north of 60). We will try again next season with more schools and a couple track days.
Always next year 🫡
Good shit tmac
Amazing video!
Glad you think so!
Valuable knowledge here , Thank-you.
The black clothing does make it difficult to see your body position tho' .
Hi from New Zealand
Hope you found it helpful :)
Are you sure this wasn't just an opportunity to post some super slow mo footage of you?? 😂 Great video, great tips. I've not been on a track day for a few years now but my upper body was always my downfall, could not ever get my head to be near the wing mirror = pristine knee sliders 🤣
😂😂 👍🏼
2025... Do a track day 🙏. Great video!
your videos are really amazing. Especially since I'm a new track rider, next year my goal is to get my knee down with the correct body position. When I try to lean, should my ass be completely off the seat or just half?
Damn I wish you were my coach. Good shit.
I think your leaving out how you lean the bike over to start the turn . You have to use the gyroscope principle of the front tire
These are great tips, I think when someone gets that first touch, it just gets easier and easier to lean past the fear like you said.
Off topic, where would you get your stickers or prints done for your leathers?
Cheers
Definitely! I use a company called mango express in the UK
@@tmac77thankyou I’ll have a look
Nice video! Do you have any tips how to move weight to the outside leg through the corner? I have big problem due to the weight put into wrong leg
Good one 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Hey Taylor, I love this video, very cool. I can get my knee down on the track but I was wondering if you can still trail brake the rear when hanging off the right hand side of the bike ? If you can answer I would much appreciate this as it does my head in 😆 over the past years now that I use my rear brake when cornering.
I struggle myself doing that! A lot of rear brakes can be hard to reach, I find it easier using a thumb brake or scooter brake system setup. I hope that helps 😁
@@tmac77 I have been thinking about this set up since Mick Doohan damaged his right leg that bad he could not use his rear brake. Thank you for backing this up. I will love to sort this out for sure now. Must be so good and easy to use.
Is this an inverse fortnine reference?
Would have got my knee down in a car park but the CBF125 footpegs are too wide 🙁
😂
Also to get that last inch , stick your knee back not out 😂👌
😂😂
how far is your crotch from the tank ? i feel im too far and while braking i get thrown closer to the tank because as i open my knee i have no way to squeze the tank with the outside leg.
Is it supposed to be tiring to hang off the bike? I can achieve knee down consistently but holding it there is tiring and strenuous on the track. Is it supposed to be tiring? Or a breeze to hold it there
Nice T,Mac. So how does your training on euros work/cost?
Thanks! I instruct on the BMW Motorrad Performance Academy in Spain and the UK 👍🏼
First of all is the physical condition of the rider.................. this is the wrong that everybody thinks that he can drive like VR ......... but the result is critical and fatal sometimes......... So the TIP is : don't buy a motorcycle you can't REALLY ride, or buy it just for show off and don't try the limits of the machine.........
sorry but hanging of so that the bike has to lean less yes it will help with pushing the bike trew the corner but you can do that with counter steering to but the main point of hanging of is less lean agnle for the bike
I wouldn’t try and do that with counter steering at those speeds on track. There’s a good Jonathan Rea video with Steve Brogan to explain why not
Don’t try and tell a professional rider that’s raced for years and won the British 1000 superstock championship how to ride a bike
Ah, thanks, how long have you been racing?
And yet Doohan won MotoGP championships by moving the bike under his body and staying on top of it, almost dirt bike style.
@@Flacojandro You are technically right in that detail but 500cc championships were the predecessors of today's MotoGP.
The "if you can ride you can ride" phrase doesn't explain how his unorthodox technique left him standing and in front of his competition. There's Physics involved and I was trying to instigate a discussion about that. I find that dirt bike style riding and turning works extremely well (and safe) on the tarmac. At least with tall adventure bikes. I've also tried it on my GTR1400 with good results and not one hiccup (like the losing of the front). So...
Will your brother be in Wsbk ?
He will be yes 😁
@tmac77 Good to hear :)
Oh s$##@t I'm bout to go fast momma
Just buy thicker knee sliders 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Anyway. Why are you not getting back the track in anger, you are far too good to not race.. you could be out on superstocks and sports being at the pointy end..
I see cooper on tv leading loads of races every weekend in the summer and you are faster than him…
Get a bike,, your dad will pay !! Then the sponsors will come💪💪
My girlfriend is breaking up with me and wants to be your girlfriend.
I used to ride a lot at mountain roads and had a habbit of opening throttle early in the corner, it seems completely not be suitable for track riding and I really need to change the cornering habbit.
Definitely! I should probably do a video on this as there seems to be a big amount of people opening the throttle far too early in the corner
A bit of a conundrum as to why people have a preference for leaning left or right, we can rule out wether it’s being left or right handed, because I am right handed but much prefer leaning left 🤔