Practicing knee down in parking lot

**xxdcmast** · 06-20-07, 10:45 PM

So after doing several track days, open practices, etc. I have still yet to get my knee down in a turn. Although from people who have seen me race say I am getting low enough and going fast enough to do it.

I remember reading on here somewhere that a good way to practice is go to a parking lot and start doing small circles and gradually increase lean until you can do it.

Anyone have any more detailed information for me. The just paved a brand new parking lot near me and I think i want to get a damn knee down.

KB · 06-20-07, 10:50 PM

You'll know when you're low enough when the front end goes south.

KB

**Tabby** · 06-21-07, 05:32 AM

Hey Dude, I'm probably one of the guys who suggested that. A co-worker was doing it before me. I had a bunch of pent up fears from years ago, that I needed to put in a better place. Big and empty for sure. Drop your tire pressures, maybe even a pound or so lower than what you run on the track, so you can get something resembling heat into the tire{won't be much}.
Try 2nd gear around 20-25 mph. You just need to get a speed that isn't too snatchy on the throttle. Since you will be going real slow, the steering won't have a lot of gyroscopic force going on, so it will feel a little heavy and twitchy at the same time. Smooth inputs indeed. Force yourself to LOOK through the corner. That helps more than you might think. Now, just slowly work on what feels good. The good thing is, if you do fall down, since the speed is low, damage should be minimal.

**nefarious** · 06-21-07, 05:45 AM

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...forum-lol.html

**TheIglu** · 06-21-07, 05:58 AM

Just go faster. It'll happen.

Getting your knee down isn't a goal. Going faster is. Just wait till it happens on the track naturally.

**bigred875** · 06-21-07, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Just go faster. It'll happen.

Getting your knee down isn't a goal. Going faster is. Just wait till it happens on the track naturally.

true, technically but we all know when we first got on the track that was the gol...atleast subconsiosly. I got the tip from a racer and feel it is a little less scary doing in a parking lot then at speed on the track.

xxdcmast - i had a similar problem. Everyone told me all i had to do was stick my knee out and it would touch. I changed my form a little and streched out better and it work. The form change was for the better.

**s a x m a n** · 06-21-07, 06:11 AM

i know i'm on meds ... but I'm at NESR ... right??

**ku996r** · 06-21-07, 06:26 AM

I'm in the same boat, been wanting to try that in a local parking lot. Found this vid months back that may help.

**Doc** · 06-21-07, 07:16 AM

I did WANT to get my knee down when I started doing trackdays last year.

I didn't get my knee down when I was trying to. (I barely get it down now)

I had no clue what the heck happened the first time it touched, after about 5 times I was like "ALRIGHT!, I know what that is!" I still get a little startled when it touches and I am not expecting it.... I am loving getting it down in 9 though.

**xxdcmast** · 06-21-07, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by bigred875

true, technically but we all know when we first got on the track that was the gol...atleast subconsiosly. I got the tip from a racer and feel it is a little less scary doing in a parking lot then at speed on the track.

xxdcmast - i had a similar problem. Everyone told me all i had to do was stick my knee out and it would touch. I changed my form a little and streched out better and it work. The form change was for the better.

See the weird thing is Ive been at open practices with people who can get their knee down in turns and I was able to take the turns faster than them. Just doing what I do now.

I was talking to the kid I was parked next to this past thrusday at the open practice who was really good and he said I was definitely going fast enough and low enough to get a knee down. This past week I even scraped my peg and scared the crap out of myself in a few turns.

Basically from what people are telling me that I am doing is when I go into a turn Im basically squeezing my legs to the bike as tight as I can on both sides. And I can even feel myself doing it I just dont know how to not do it. I know I could probably be faster if I got my form better but for some reason when I go into a turn my brain tells my legs to squeeze my legs on the bike as tight as I can.

The reason I want to try it in the parking lot is so I can attempt to break the habit of squeezing the bike in a turn.

**Kitt** · 06-21-07, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by s a x m a n

i know i'm on meds ... but I'm at NESR ... right??

**TheIglu** · 06-21-07, 08:39 AM

Work on your form. Your first time dragging a knee should not be shocking. It wasn't for me. If you work on your form and increase your speed little by little, you will ease into it.

**Evil_Weasel** · 06-21-07, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by s a x m a n

i know i'm on meds ... but I'm at NESR ... right??

now that made me chuckle.

**bigred875** · 06-21-07, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by xxdcmast

See the weird thing is Ive been at open practices with people who can get their knee down in turns and I was able to take the turns faster than them. Just doing what I do now.

I was talking to the kid I was parked next to this past thrusday at the open practice who was really good and he said I was definitely going fast enough and low enough to get a knee down. This past week I even scraped my peg and scared the crap out of myself in a few turns.

Basically from what people are telling me that I am doing is when I go into a turn Im basically squeezing my legs to the bike as tight as I can on both sides. And I can even feel myself doing it I just dont know how to not do it. I know I could probably be faster if I got my form better but for some reason when I go into a turn my brain tells my legs to squeeze my legs on the bike as tight as I can.

The reason I want to try it in the parking lot is so I can attempt to break the habit of squeezing the bike in a turn.

sounds like you are not hanging off the bike enough...i'm sure there are other more qualified then me here that can give you advice on form. My understanding is you should have your weight on the inside foot, ass crack on the edge of the seat and twist your body pointing your knee towards the front of the bike with the inside shoulder forward and your chin where your mirror is, or should be.

**bigred875** · 06-21-07, 09:00 AM

once your form is right and your speed is fast enough you will either just need to stick it out a little or it will touch naturally

**skiierx** · 06-21-07, 09:30 AM

I remember wanting to touch a knee down then when it happened it was no big deal. It will come, as most people have said just work on your form and it will happen!

**McBiggity** · 06-21-07, 09:31 AM

i just started getting me knee down this year after two full seasons of racing.
be patient.

**Ken C** · 06-21-07, 09:35 AM

The first time I dragged knee was in a parking lot. It was great to get accustommed to the feeling. It took several more track days after that before I was going fast enough to touch knee at speed, though. What makes knee dragging happen is the combination of body position and speed. As you say, may be going "fast enough", and it's time to refine body position.

We (TTD Instructors) can help you with this at a track day if you ask.

**gmdboston** · 06-21-07, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by bigred875

sounds like you are not hanging off the bike enough...i'm sure there are other more qualified then me here that can give you advice on form. My understanding is you should have your weight on the inside foot, ass crack on the edge of the seat and twist your body pointing your knee towards the front of the bike with the inside shoulder forward and your chin where your mirror is, or should be.

No twisting and your weight is on the out side peg. (unless youweere trying to low side, the go ahead and weight the inside peg.)

**akira700** · 06-21-07, 09:51 AM

I wouldnt worry about this. You're talking comestics.
I dont drag my knee yet.
I'd just go slower and work on your form at comfortable pace.
Work on getting your legs more relaxed.

**xxdcmast** · 06-21-07, 09:53 AM

Weight the outside peg? So in that pic above he is pushing with the leg that you cant see on the peg?

**Ken C** · 06-21-07, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by xxdcmast

Weight the outside peg? So in that pic above he is pushing with the leg that you cant see on the peg?

At turn-in, the weight is typically on the inside pegs, but once into the lean, weight transfers to the outside peg.

But, don't worry about which peg to weight. Unless you're going really fast, which peg you weight is of minimal concern.

**Doc** · 06-21-07, 10:13 AM

definately need to slow down a little so your more relaxed... (look at the noob giving advice)

I was doing the same thing (squeezing the tank). I was told to get my ass off the seat, stand on your pegs and hover over your seat, ony weight the seat when you need to, slide half a butt cheek to the inside of the bike, drop your shoulder,rest the outside arm on the tank, and let your leg "lead in" on the turn.
As I have said, I just did the lil things and it happened. It pays to have a bike with a low seat height.

**bigred875** · 06-21-07, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by gmdboston

No twisting and your weight is on the out side peg. (unless youweere trying to low side, the go ahead and weight the inside peg.)

see, i knew smahter people would chime in

**TheIglu** · 06-21-07, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by bigred875

see, i knew smahter people would chime in

They will, be patient

Practicing knee down in parking lot

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