Motorcycle Racing?

Question

I was wondering. You've got these motorcycle racers. They turn sharp turns - the motorcycle is like 35 degrees to the ground, and their knees are just about touching. Crazy.

Is it okay for their knees to at least skim the road, accidentally, or if they make contact will they go flying? Because in other to touch stationary ground, that part of your body will be stationary momentarily. So I would think they would crash. But how much do they have to touch the ground?

Answer 1

Yes dude, it just like the track only the road is normally covered in pot holes, deisel and old people.

Here : http://www.someoneelseslife.com/images/6... is a pic of a dude getting his knee down on the road. Just like the track.

you can clearly see his red Knee Slider. These come in every colour, shape & design under the sun!

As seen here:

http://www.pricewatch.be/images/bikes/kn...

http://www.pricewatch.be/images/bikes/kn... and here:

http://www.pricewatch.be/images/bikes/kn...

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

This technique is used by road racers,it tells you that you have reached maximum lean angle. Oh! dear, I forgot to mention I raced for many years, this is just a little dig for the thumbs down.

Answer 3

balance and technique

Answer 4

you are talking about gp and or road racing.

Their knees DO touch the ground, and they wear special slider pads on their leathers for it.

Answer 5

It seems to be what a lot of people ride for - I haven't done it yet (on my own)  but can't wait for the right bike, time and place to give it a go.

If you can find the coverage online (or telly repeats) Look at some of the laps done by John Hopkins on the Rizla Susuki at the German moto gp race yesterday.

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/index.ht...

That takes you to the official home page (for stills) but they show you laps with cameras onboard the bikes and have a graphic that shows you the angle of lean - Hopkins was hitting the 50 to 55 degrees continuously as the Sachsenring is a twisty little track!