NEWS STORE MAGAZINE CALENDAR FORUM
News you need to know history
driving techniques motor vehicles articles
results racers
videos photos wallpapers humor links
contacts
Authorization
Login:
Password:
Registration
"driving techniques" lessons of Gary Semix " Chapter 4.
Body position [Starting point]
Chapter 4.
Body position [Point of departure]
Your skill will grow due to many components, but there is nothing more important than understanding the basic position of the body.
This will lay the foundation for the formation of riding techniques, will lead to the further appearance of habits, both good and bad.
Jeremy McGraw in the attacking position.
Most driving techniques are based on it.
The weight is concentrated in the center, the back is slightly tilted forward, the legs are bent at the knees, the feet are on the running boards, the elbows are raised, the look is forward
For beginners, it is necessary to develop the correct position of the body so that it becomes natural.
With practice, your body will take this position on its own.
The more the correct body position becomes familiar to you, the better you will be able to ride.
Just like that.
The position of the body constantly changes depending on the terrain, weather conditions, speed.
Having learned how to properly manage your body, you will easily be able to overcome obstacles and use energy more efficiently.
Beginners are usually amazed at how long more experienced riders can stay in the saddle.
This is partly due to physical fitness, but the correct body position and effective energy consumption are the main reason that the best riders after a harsh twenty minute cross country or a grueling six hour enduro look fresher than beginners after a five minute or an hour race, respectively.
Note that the winners have more energy left than the losers.
Jeremy McGraw is a classic example of this, feeling natural and relaxed on a motorcycle like no other athlete.
When you are in the right place, everything else is much easier.
The main position of the body is to concentrate the weight over the seat, the head is located above the traverse so that you can see the plate with the number.
The elbows are raised and spread apart.
Gary Semix calls this the middle position.
Endurists have the same basic body position.
The knees are exactly above the running boards, the weight is kept on the running boards, the torso is relaxed.
Ty Davis looks natural and free
In this position, you are exactly in the center of the motorcycle and ready for anything.
With your elbows raised high, your hands get more mobility and can serve as a necessary lever in turning.
Modern off road motorcycles have an explosive character and are capable of incredible accelerations.
The raised elbows and front position allow you to handle the motorcycle when you open the gas.
As a rule, you will stand in the middle position.
The knees should be slightly bent; they are additional shock absorbers.
Most of your weight should be supported by your legs; your knees are squeezing the motorcycle.
The shoulders should be turned to where you want to go, the torso should be relaxed.
The middle position allows you to move easily on the motorcycle.
Shifting forward or backward, you can load the front or rear of the motorcycle.
The middle position is also preferred because it allows the body to respond quickly enough to the shock (as quickly as reflexes allow), using the knees, elbows, back, ankles and wrists to soften part of the impact.
The shock absorption capabilities are extremely limited if the rider is sitting.
To improve the position of the body, put the motorcycle on a stand and carefully work out all the techniques of Gary Semix described in this chapter.
He takes a very thorough approach to this issue, describing exactly how you should be positioned on a motorcycle.
When you are sure that you have mastered the correct stance, try to adjust the steering wheel and control levers for yourself.
The more you change the position of your body, the more you will have to think about ergonomics to make everything comfortable.
In flight, the main position of the body does not change.
In this photo, Steve Lamson is in an excellent position – elbows raised, head above the steering wheel.
Notice that he has one finger on the clutch, and his right hand is wrapped around the throttle handle.
The skill of off road driving requires mastering the smooth use of all the control levers, sometimes several at the same time
Ride under the supervision of a friend, concentrating exclusively on the correct position of the body.
Let him tell you what you need to pay attention to.
It will be even better if someone takes you on videotape.
You will immediately see what you need to work on (and until you reach the level of Jeremy McGraw, you have a lot to strive for).
The correct body position is the most critical for endurists.
All the techniques are quite simple, but it takes years of training to master and hone them.
Practice improving the body position, and you will increase your level.
Techniques of Gary Semix
Body position is one of the most important factors in motocross.
If you are in the right position, then you become one with the motorcycle and slide along the track.
Otherwise, everything will go awry
The basic position is the middle position, which means that you are in the center of the motorcycle.
It should be taken automatically and be natural.
In the middle position, you are in balance, the body easily responds to changes in the terrain.
Maintaining balance is associated with body positions and movements.
This means that your body position and movements always correspond to the place and time.
Mastering the control implies proper control over five elements: clutch, gas, front and rear brakes, gearbox.
Having learned to feel them clearly, you will gain amazing control over the device.
Hold your head properly #1
While in the middle position, sitting or standing, keep your head exactly above the steering wheel.
This will position your body exactly at the equilibrium point in the center of the motorcycle.
If you move forward, you will find yourself in the front position, back - respectively.
All your movements, the entire range of movements should come from this position.
Many novice racers sit or stand, strongly shifted back.
Their weight is beyond the equilibrium point, and this leads to worse handling.
In addition, because of this, the hands are clogged, since a large load falls on them during acceleration.
To form the right habits, make sure that you perform this technique well and work from an equilibrium point.
Knee position #2
When you stand in the middle position, the knee joints should be clearly above the ankles.
Squeeze the seat with your knees.
When you change the position, start the movement with your knees.
When you need to move forward or backward while standing, move so that your knees slide along the sides of the motorcycle.
The footrests serve as a support when moving.
Many novice riders do not squeeze the motorcycle with their knees, this worsens control, they are not one with the motorcycle.
When moving your knees, help yourself slightly with your feet.
This technique will save you from overexerting your legs.
Make sure that the footrests are sharp enough and your feet do not slip.
When you need to change the position on the motorcycle, allow your knees to slide along its sides, but continue to hold it at the same time.
When you master this technique, you will notice an improvement in the control of the motorcycle, it will seem to you that you have become more resilient, you will feel your iron horse more subtly.
Weight redistribution in the sitting position #3
When you are sitting, redistribute your weight by bending your torso, rather than sliding on the seat.
Inexperienced riders usually move the weight by sliding on their ass on the seat.
This is wrong, except in cases where significant impact is required.
It is correct to sit on the front of the seat, tilting the torso forward or backward.
This simple technique will allow you to transfer weight to the front or rear wheel, while remaining seated in the center of the motorcycle.
This will not only provide better control, but it will also be easier physically.
Merge with Motorcycle #4
Relax your torso enough to merge with the motorcycle.
The most inexperienced and even slightly more experienced riders understand this technique incorrectly, especially when they are nervous.
The mistake is the tension of the trunk, especially the hands and shoulders.
You and the motorcycle become extremely heavy, as you transfer some of the weight to the steering wheel.
The position of the body in this case will also be incorrect, since you can not merge with the motorcycle when you cling to the steering wheel.
The correct thing is to hold yourself with your feet (working from the footrests), while the torso remains relaxed.
If necessary, you can easily change the position of your body and be in the right place at the right time.
In addition, using only the footrests as a support, you lower the center of gravity, and the motorcycle is controlled better.
The key things in motocross are balance, consistency of actions, the ability to anticipate the situation.
Remember, the first thing that needs to be relaxed is consciousness.
Be relaxed, pure (in terms of consciousness) and ready for anything.
Merge with the motorcycle.
Lower the center of gravity #5
Hold yourself on the running boards to lower the center of gravity.
Distribute your weight first on the running boards, then on the seat, and last of all on the steering wheel.
This will allow you to maintain a low center of gravity in the center of the motorcycle.
This technique is similar to #4, but here the attention is focused on the motorcycle, not on the body.
When you are driving with a tense torso, you are most likely transferring some of your weight to the steering wheel.
This is the highest point of gravity on a motorcycle, and it is not equilibrium.
When the torso is relaxed, most of the weight is on the running boards.
This lowers the center of gravity.
When you can not distribute the weight on the footrests (with your foot exposed in the turn), load the seat and the external footrest.
These points will be equilibrium in this situation.
Ride with a low center of gravity and keep yourself on your feet.
With the correct body position, you keep yourself in the legs, while the trunk is relaxed
Raised elbows #6
Keep your elbows raised and spread apart, grasp the throttle handle.
Handling will suffer greatly if you keep your wrists and forearms parallel to the ground.
In this position, they are not sufficient levers.
It is also more difficult to open the gas.
With your elbows raised, grasping the right handle, you will be able to work the gas in full range at any position of the body.
For the entire range of movements, this technique creates proper levers for controlling the motorcycle.
Gradually master this technique on a safe platform.
When the wrist is raised, you will feel the gas differently, but there may be problems with closing it if you open this sucker really hard.
You donot want to leave a chill in your pants, or anything else, but donot be a slob.
Raise your elbows.
Straighten your shoulders #7
To maintain balance, use compensating movements to the sides.
Your shoulders should move from side to side parallel to the steering wheel.
Keep your shoulders pointed where you want to go.
You will most likely have a tendency to move away from the motorcycle if you ride with your elbows lowered.
This bad habit takes your body out of balance.
It is correct to turn the torso to where you are going to keep the path.
Move your body from side to side (parallel to the steering wheel) to maintain balance and direct the front wheel to where you want.
If your elbows are raised, then you have better leverage, and it will be easier for you.
Remember that the fundamental concepts of motocross are balance, consistency of actions and control.
To develop control, you must start from the right foundations.
Through training, it is necessary to ensure that the correct position of the body enters your nervous system, becomes a reflex.
Move #8
Lean forward when accelerating and backward when braking.
If you do not use this technique, then your body weight is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This can deprive you of control, and exhaust you much more than necessary.
In most cases, when accelerating, it is necessary to lean forward, towards acceleration, and when braking back, as opposed to the braking force.
By changing the position, you maintain balance.
You interact organically with the motorcycle and have better control over it.
Donot be a statue.
Get used to moving on a motorcycle.
Back position #9
Keep your back straight when leaning forward and bent when leaning back.
Riders usually keep their back in any one position (always either straight or bent).
This is a bad habit because it requires a lot of physical effort.
The position of the back should change depending on the position of the body.
When you are in the front position, you should keep your back straight.
You will find yourself directly above the front of the motorcycle.
When you are in the back position, your back should be bent.
This will lower the center of gravity and improve handling.
This is definitely a good technique for practicing in calm conditions before using on the track.
Not only the fork and the shock absorber are affected by impacts.
Work with your whole body, including your back.
Bend your back to load the front wheel.
Also, slightly expose your leg in turns to catch the motorcycle if one of the wheels leads.
Shows Steve Lamson on a factory Honda
Stop position #10
Stand on the running boards on your fingers.
Some racers never ride standing on their fingers.
In order to determine which category you belong to, look at the soles of motorboats.
If you belong to the designated group, then you lose additional control over the device that you could have using this technique.
In general, this rule sounds like this: if you do not use the gearbox or brake, you should stand on your fingers.
When you need them, just move your foot forward, when you finish braking or switching speeds, return to the starting position.
When driving, you will have to do this often, whether you are sitting or standing.
Using this technique gives you a number of advantages: you use an additional joint (ankle), this allows you to move better and feel the motorcycle better; if the motorcycle gets into a rut, the foot will not tear off the footrest; you will not press the brake or the gearbox foot by mistake.
This is one of those techniques that require special attention.
Check yourself by the soles of the motorboats.
Stop position during braking #11
When you use the gearbox or brake, there should be stop centers on the footrests.
In this position, you will be able to correctly affect the gearbox foot or the brake pedal.
Sometimes riders use this technique incorrectly and accidentally touch the control levers.
This can happen if the centers of your feet are on the running boards, and you are not using a foot or pedal.
You can get into trouble if you press the foot by mistake – a false neutral (between speeds) may be caught, or you will fly forward if you unexpectedly press the brake.
Depending on the circumstances, this can lead to a minor failure or serious injury.
To avoid this, when you want to stand on the center of the foot, but do not want to use a foot or pedal, take your socks away.
This is especially true when you have little time to move your feet to your fingers and back.
With practice and experience, you will feel how far it is necessary to remove the socks, and if you touch the foot or pedal, you will notice it.
John Dod demonstrates a good flight.
He went back a little from the attacking position, elbows raised, back straight, but tilted forward in order to load the front of the motorcycle.
Note that his foot is above the brake pedal, and Dod is ready to use it when needed
Stop position when switching speeds #12
When you accelerate, your body is in the forward position, in order to switch the speed, lift your foot off the footrest.
The most inexperienced riders usually make the following mistake: they move back to switch the speed.
Thus, their foot remains on the footrest, which serves as a support when lifting the sock and turning on the increased gear.
When you put on a higher gear, you are usually in the front position, as you are accelerating.
This means that to switch the speed, you need to take your foot off the footrest.
That is, you use the whole leg.
Remember that the foot should be at the level of the upper part of the footrest.
If if you set it too low, it will be very difficult for you to reach it when switching to a lower gear or to put a sock under it when switching to an increased gear.
In addition, there is a danger that the transmission will jump out if you get into a rut.
It is good to train gear shifting during the start practice
One or two fingers on the clutch #13
Keep one or two fingers on the clutch at all times.
This is an important technique, it takes a lot of practice to master it.
A common mistake is to hold either the handle or the clutch with all four fingers.
Because of this, it becomes inconvenient to use the clutch, and as a result, riders do not use it often enough.
A professional racer keeps one or two fingers on the clutch 99% of the time.
He uses it when passing turns, overcoming the comb and jumping to supply the rear wheel with the power that he considers necessary.
The clutch should be used virtually every time you open the gas; so if you want to have a well controlled power, learn how to use this technique and the clutch lever.
Hand mobility #14
Learn to use handles and levers independently.
A very common mistake is to hold the handles with all four fingers, and therefore use the levers only when there is a serious need for it.
This is so inconvenient that riders do not use the clutch and front brake often enough, and when they do, they canot hold the handles properly.
Most riders always keep at least one finger on the clutch.
Starting from the rigidity of the lever and the style of control, you can use two fingers, but if you learn to use one, you will be able to hold the handle more confidently.
The same applies to the front brake
Developing the ability to simultaneously hold handles and work levers requires time and practice.
Some riders have one finger on the clutch, some have two.
It is better to keep one finger on the brake lever.
Get used to this technique, let it become a habit.
Use your fingers to hold the handles and use the levers at the same time.
Body position
1.
Your head should be above the steering wheel (almost always)
2.
Keep yourself in the legs, knees slightly bent
3.
Elbows raised
4.
Grab the throttle handle
5.
One or two fingers on the clutch and brake levers
6.
Keep your head up, look ahead
27 Dec 2002 02:07
"driving techniques" lessons of Gary Semix " Chapter 4.
Body position [Starting point]
MX magazines
Powered by DynacontCMS
© 2001-2006, MX+ info@mxplus.ru Live Fast Die Funny
