Sportbike Guy, Hand on Thigh - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

St0nkingByte · 06-30-2005, 10:25 PM

So whats up with the Sportbike dudes who ride with their left hand on their thigh and their elbow cocked out? Does it mean something? Is it some mad skill to be able to do that at highway speeds?

Mind you in pales in comparison to the stuff I see the skid-lid/cruiser/harley crowd doing (my fav is legs up on the highway pegs, on the highway bars, at 70mph, in traffic).

FIVEINCH · 06-30-2005, 10:45 PM

We have approximately 1/4 of our weight on each hand. We'd do the same with our right hand, but it tends have an ill effect on riding...

QuacktheDuck · 07-01-2005, 01:16 AM

haha I still do that honestly, even though I'm no longer riding a sportbike...guess it's a habit that sorta built up before. Although for me it's usually my entire forearm that I rest on my leg...and I sorta hunker down. Yes I'm lazy like that heheh

mikesvsix50 · 07-01-2005, 01:26 AM

yeah, it's natural, sometimes you can catch me with my elbow on the tank as if I was sitting at a bar...

stevie c · 07-01-2005, 01:39 AM

Got to admit I do it too sometimes when I am going too slow for the wind to support me.

I also do it because it makes me look cool.......

jaydog19833 · 07-01-2005, 03:01 AM

It let's you sit up right and relax your wrist and back. I'd do it with the right hand but it stays on the throttle.

**inspiron** · 07-01-2005, 03:53 AM

I often drop my left hand, letting it hang - just to relax it and get the blood flowing again. No, it has no deeper meaning...

JES883 · 07-01-2005, 08:58 AM

It means that I'm NOT about ready to fly past the 10 cages that are holding me up.

**Freakinout** · 07-01-2005, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

No, it has no deeper meaning...

St0nkingByte · 07-01-2005, 09:32 AM

Hehe cool, I was just curious and being a little cranky because the sunny weather here has brought out all the kooks, sportbike and cruisers alike. Yesterday on the sportbike front I saw the proverbial guy riding with a tshirt, shorts and sandals, no gloves and, I think this is the best part, an Arai helmet!? OKie dokie

Yesterday I also had a sportbike dude pass me in my lane and then cross over into the left lane in front of me. Ugh.

Gixxerdale · 07-01-2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St0nkingByte

Yesterday I also had a sportbike dude pass me in my lane and then cross over into the left lane in front of me. Ugh.

Sad to say, but we(motorcyclists) have our own rude drivers using poor judgement. If that were me I would have pulled up close and waited for you to wave me past or found another way to pass. It sucks having someone pass you when you are not expecting it. Especially in the twisties.

**inspiron** · 07-01-2005, 09:47 AM

I can't believe that ANYONE is passing you in the twisties ... dammit Dale, your on a Gixxer 1000! The only thing faster than you is light!

JES883 · 07-01-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

I can't believe that ANYONE is passing you in the twisties ... dammit Dale, your on a Gixxer 1000! The only thing faster than you is light!

SMACK !!!

Gixxerdale · 07-01-2005, 09:54 AM

Well, it is hard to stayed leaned over in a corner at triple digits, with one hand while using the other to hold a camera, align, and photograph the moment! Sometimes a bike or two slips past me!

Just kidding. Hey I do have a cruise mode you know! I would like to keep my license until I'm to old to use it anymore. I'm trying to behave (when appropriate) these days!

FIVEINCH · 07-01-2005, 10:55 AM

How cool would it be to dummy up the speedo to read triple digits leaned over with oncoming traffic?

A person could clog up the internet for DAYS with a photo like that!

Scourge · 07-01-2005, 10:55 AM

I used to do it myself on longer rides. I think you will see a ton of the tank/short guys doing it once they get into an upper gear for the poser factor. It does help to reduce fatigue, but when your doing it between stoplights it's more of an excuse to look "cool" than anything else.

**87gsxrnut** · 07-01-2005, 10:57 AM

I usually lay on the tank. Takes less energy.

- Nut

themeatmanlandry · 07-01-2005, 11:09 AM

I bring a pillow and try to prop my feet up on the front fender. Now all I need's a cup holder.

St0nkingByte · 07-01-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

Sad to say, but we(motorcyclists) have our own rude drivers using poor judgement. If that were me I would have pulled up close and waited for you to wave me past or found another way to pass. It sucks having someone pass you when you are not expecting it. Especially in the twisties.

Yeah the bad part was I was thinking about cutting over into the right lane and had my signal on when he passed me on the right. I always headcheck though so I saw him making his move and didn't go.

To tell you the truth I'm so embarrased when I'm in the car with the wife. Especially by so many of the sunny day Harley riders around here. Why you'd want to dress up like you have a perverted leather/rivet fetish and then ride like a moron is beyond me. I should probably stop there before I really offend someone

However, from a social/respect-for-motorcycling perspective I think I liked the winter better, only the fully geared serious riders were out then. Oh well at least the pavement is usually dry now and I can outride those lunatics or alot of the time I just slow down and let them zoom off so I don't have to ride with them.

As a relatively new rider alot of its just mind boggling to me, you don't really pay any attention to motorcycles on the road unless you ride so I've never noticed this stuff until now.

Gixxerdale · 07-01-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St0nkingByte

As a relatively new rider alot of its just mind boggling to me, you don't really pay any attention to motorcycles on the road unless you ride so I've never noticed this stuff until now.

It would be helpful if the DMV provided some kind of motorcycle awareness training to the cagers when they were licensed, but that's just wishful thinking.

06-30-2005, 10:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 893	Sportbike Guy, Hand on Thigh So whats up with the Sportbike dudes who ride with their left hand on their thigh and their elbow cocked out? Does it mean something? Is it some mad skill to be able to do that at highway speeds? Mind you in pales in comparison to the stuff I see the skid-lid/cruiser/harley crowd doing (my fav is legs up on the highway pegs, on the highway bars, at 70mph, in traffic).

06-30-2005, 10:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
FIVEINCH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: GSXR600K4 + D&D = DSRPTV!!!!!! Location: San Angelo, TX Posts: 1,083	We have approximately 1/4 of our weight on each hand. We'd do the same with our right hand, but it tends have an ill effect on riding... __________________ I can see you... MK86: The US Navy Sends Its Regards... FIVE INCHES AT A TIME!!

07-01-2005, 01:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
stevie c Sit speling cheker Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: GSX-R 600 K1 Location: Northants,UK Posts: 1,631	Got to admit I do it too sometimes when I am going too slow for the wind to support me. I also do it because it makes me look cool....... __________________ Stevie C '02 Gixer 600 K1,Yellow and Black (fastest colour!), always beats red ones!! Why put off until tomorrow what you can get someone else to do for you today.

07-01-2005, 03:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
jaydog19833 U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jun 2004 Bike: 04 GSXR 600 Location: Lake George, NY Posts: 1,288	It let's you sit up right and relax your wrist and back. I'd do it with the right hand but it stays on the throttle. __________________ Anyone can fire a bullet. Only the good ones can steer one. Bend your elbow, move your arse, and stick the knee out.

07-01-2005, 03:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,070	I often drop my left hand, letting it hang - just to relax it and get the blood flowing again. No, it has no deeper meaning... __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

07-01-2005, 01:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
QuacktheDuck Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2004 FZ6 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 858	haha I still do that honestly, even though I'm no longer riding a sportbike...guess it's a habit that sorta built up before. Although for me it's usually my entire forearm that I rest on my leg...and I sorta hunker down. Yes I'm lazy like that heheh

07-01-2005, 01:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
mikesvsix50 Kickstand Operator Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2005 SV650Somewhat Location: Skokie, IL Posts: 285	yeah, it's natural, sometimes you can catch me with my elbow on the tank as if I was sitting at a bar...

07-01-2005, 08:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
JES883 TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: K5 GSX-R600 & 2003 HD 883 Location: MI Posts: 573	It means that I'm NOT about ready to fly past the 10 cages that are holding me up. __________________ JES883

07-01-2005, 09:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 893	Hehe cool, I was just curious and being a little cranky because the sunny weather here has brought out all the kooks, sportbike and cruisers alike. Yesterday on the sportbike front I saw the proverbial guy riding with a tshirt, shorts and sandals, no gloves and, I think this is the best part, an Arai helmet!? OKie dokie Yesterday I also had a sportbike dude pass me in my lane and then cross over into the left lane in front of me. Ugh.

07-01-2005, 09:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,070	I can't believe that ANYONE is passing you in the twisties ... dammit Dale, your on a Gixxer 1000! The only thing faster than you is light! __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

07-01-2005, 09:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,028	Well, it is hard to stayed leaned over in a corner at triple digits, with one hand while using the other to hold a camera, align, and photograph the moment! Sometimes a bike or two slips past me! Just kidding. Hey I do have a cruise mode you know! I would like to keep my license until I'm to old to use it anymore. I'm trying to behave (when appropriate) these days! __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

07-01-2005, 10:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
FIVEINCH U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: GSXR600K4 + D&D = DSRPTV!!!!!! Location: San Angelo, TX Posts: 1,083	How cool would it be to dummy up the speedo to read triple digits leaned over with oncoming traffic? A person could clog up the internet for DAYS with a photo like that! __________________ I can see you... MK86: The US Navy Sends Its Regards... FIVE INCHES AT A TIME!!

07-01-2005, 10:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
Scourge U.B's LoveChild Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2002 V-Star 650 Location: Winston Salem, NC Posts: 1,253	I used to do it myself on longer rides. I think you will see a ton of the tank/short guys doing it once they get into an upper gear for the poser factor. It does help to reduce fatigue, but when your doing it between stoplights it's more of an excuse to look "cool" than anything else. __________________ I hate rude behavior in a man, won't tolerate it..

07-01-2005, 10:57 AM	#17 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,224	I usually lay on the tank. Takes less energy. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

07-01-2005, 11:09 AM	#18 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	I bring a pillow and try to prop my feet up on the front fender. Now all I need's a cup holder. __________________ Go to hell

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hand guards	hammersfan	The Long Road - Adventure Touring	4	04-22-2006 09:34 PM
Hand deflectors	Jiffyjam	Cruisers	11	12-30-2005 04:54 PM
Hand guards for the M50.	Hillbillyff	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	11	11-20-2005 01:51 PM
Clutch Hand Pain	3Dachs	The Paddock	29	07-02-2005 04:21 PM
new hand grips	BadAzz2004Gixxer	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	2	12-03-2004 05:46 PM