What are the motorcycle racers doing before they turn?

Question

I've been watching ama 600 sportbike races. and as the riders are slowing down and going into the turn it looks like they're pumping the throttle, or at least they're doing something with they're right hand, maybe pumping the brake?

Answer 1

Most riders use a technique called blipping the throttle on the down change, as they set up to enter the corner, in order to be in the correct gear for the drive out.

This in its self takes the weight of the drive train of the engine and allows for a smooth down change and also enables the riders, to transfer the weight of the down change smoothly and to get into a rhythm quicker.

Answer 2

they would probably be doing that to slide their back wheels a bit. it would make them turn quicker. that would be my guess.  

Answer 3

I agree with Henry they are blipping the throttle. As they now shift down very quickly with the aid of slipperclutches there is still the need to keep up the revs. so a quick flick of the wrist does this. Keeping the bike in its powerband range. I dont know if you ride but when you kick down a gear without the clutch the bike slows and the revs go up. if you kick down say 3 gears without a slipper clutch you find the bike screams its heart out and locks up the rear wheel. (scary the first time)

Now with the invention of slipperclutches you can bang it down the gearbox without locking up the rear and the engine brakes (usually by cutting spark to a couple of cylinders.) so you will see the rider Pull the clutch and blip the throttle to bring the revs back up and all the cylinders firing again to accelerate out of the corners.