I myself have not yet been able to pitch my bike over that far, only for the fact that I don't have full leather yet, I wear jacket, gloves, and Arai lid, but the leather pants seemed like something I didn't need. Now as my skills progress rapidly with the new ownership of my 1098 I am feeling the need to buy some leathers and throw a knee down... I'd like to hear stories about many of you guys in here first time sliding the puck on the pavement.
Your First Time draggin knee
- Thread starter Kay0795
- Start date
Pokemon★master
New member
I remember the first time I dragged knee. It was in June of this year. I've only been riding about 7 months so I guess I picked up rather quickly. I also just got done healing up from a broken left wrist that's been casted for 2 months since April of this year.
Anyway, I went out for ride with a couple buddies to Palomar South Grade Road. I'm sure you So-Cal residents know much about it. I just got my brand new suit. Barely a week old and not even broken in. Palomar is regarded as the most technical road in So-Cal and it has a ridiculous amount of hairpins and decreasing radius turns in about 7 miles. SO you'd probably have your bike cranked over to the side if you're going at a decent pace.
But anyway, I remember taking the first left hander going up hill, which is a tight decreasing radius turn. Now I'm going a fairly decent pace here. My tires were not up to temps even after a 40 mile ride to the mountain. I set up for the turn, going about 50MPH, I slow down to about 35-40MPH hang off, and stick the knee out, definately not expecting for the knee to touch down. I take about half the turn knee inches from the ground, but when I reach the decreasing radius point, I roll off the throttle to make the turn. All the sudden, I hear loud stange noise. I also feel my bike taking a tighter line than I intended. I'm like "WTF? I'm dragging a knee!!" Let me tell you, brand new pucks on pavement is a shitty feeling. The sliders actually drive in to the pavement slowing you down slightly. But ones that have been used are much, much smoother. I guess the moment I dragged my knee, I also fully chopped the throttle, so my bike was wobbling and it basically scared the shit out of me.
All day that day, I was basically dragging knee, excercising my new found riding ability. It's really surprising and scary at first though, and no amount of mental preparation will get you ready for the very first time you touch a knee down to the pavement.
I actually drag less knee now while going as fast or faster than I did back then since my body position has since improved. I don't ride crossed up anymore, half my ass is off the seat, my head is kissing the mirror, and I keep my head and body low. I'm only 5'7", so It's hard for me to drag knee compared to you taller guys. I really have to get my bike cranked over to get that knee down. And with the amount of ground clearance on the new Superbikes, it's surprisingly hard to drag a knee. SO keep that in mind.
Just work on proper body positioning before you go out and start dragging knee everywhere. Remember, you want to get through a corner as fast as possible with the least amount of lean.
Anyway, I went out for ride with a couple buddies to Palomar South Grade Road. I'm sure you So-Cal residents know much about it. I just got my brand new suit. Barely a week old and not even broken in. Palomar is regarded as the most technical road in So-Cal and it has a ridiculous amount of hairpins and decreasing radius turns in about 7 miles. SO you'd probably have your bike cranked over to the side if you're going at a decent pace.
But anyway, I remember taking the first left hander going up hill, which is a tight decreasing radius turn. Now I'm going a fairly decent pace here. My tires were not up to temps even after a 40 mile ride to the mountain. I set up for the turn, going about 50MPH, I slow down to about 35-40MPH hang off, and stick the knee out, definately not expecting for the knee to touch down. I take about half the turn knee inches from the ground, but when I reach the decreasing radius point, I roll off the throttle to make the turn. All the sudden, I hear loud stange noise. I also feel my bike taking a tighter line than I intended. I'm like "WTF? I'm dragging a knee!!" Let me tell you, brand new pucks on pavement is a shitty feeling. The sliders actually drive in to the pavement slowing you down slightly. But ones that have been used are much, much smoother. I guess the moment I dragged my knee, I also fully chopped the throttle, so my bike was wobbling and it basically scared the shit out of me.
All day that day, I was basically dragging knee, excercising my new found riding ability. It's really surprising and scary at first though, and no amount of mental preparation will get you ready for the very first time you touch a knee down to the pavement.
I actually drag less knee now while going as fast or faster than I did back then since my body position has since improved. I don't ride crossed up anymore, half my ass is off the seat, my head is kissing the mirror, and I keep my head and body low. I'm only 5'7", so It's hard for me to drag knee compared to you taller guys. I really have to get my bike cranked over to get that knee down. And with the amount of ground clearance on the new Superbikes, it's surprisingly hard to drag a knee. SO keep that in mind.
Just work on proper body positioning before you go out and start dragging knee everywhere. Remember, you want to get through a corner as fast as possible with the least amount of lean.
John Bradley
New member
i would get the leather before u try to drag you knee... i dont have leather pants so i use my feet as reference... Ive slid my knees about 6 times anyway and it tends to hurt and rip right through jeans... but its a nice feeling dragging you body through turns. Good luck and be safe/smart about it
Im with wilson on this. Not on the street. I now have a set of street leather pants with out pucks. I use to take the pucks off for the street. What a pita that was.
My 1st track day. About 1/2 way through the day, bad sound! I thought some one behind me low sided. As the day went on, I went faster, but did not tuch them down again.
Over a year later, at my next track day, on my 1098. Bearn dem pucks. Problem for me is my size 12 A-stars. Toe sliders go fast. Now I have Mag toe sliders. I dont see needing new ones for a long time now.
My 1st track day. About 1/2 way through the day, bad sound! I thought some one behind me low sided. As the day went on, I went faster, but did not tuch them down again.
Over a year later, at my next track day, on my 1098. Bearn dem pucks. Problem for me is my size 12 A-stars. Toe sliders go fast. Now I have Mag toe sliders. I dont see needing new ones for a long time now.
It will happen naturally. When it happens its like shooting a load into your girl when she says " its okay because i just got over my period."
At first its one side, either left or right, then both. Give yourself time, and please don't be an idiot like the guys in the canyons with full suits putting their knee down.
I guess they think it!s a waste of money for trackday!
At first its one side, either left or right, then both. Give yourself time, and please don't be an idiot like the guys in the canyons with full suits putting their knee down.
I guess they think it!s a waste of money for trackday!
I thought the idea was to not drag knee, but use it as a feeler. I rode behind a guy on a gsxr 750 last month on a twisty road I ride alot, and while riding behind him i noticed all he did was lean over too far like he was trying to drag knee. The thing was I was way faster than him and I stayed upright the whole time. I couldn't pass him though because no where to do so. I agree, just work on the body position and not draggin knee
Rocker_5150
New member
OK tapit. What you say is true. But it is a cool fealing the 1st time. Yes?
After that, it just cost $ for pucks. Im a cheep sob!
After that, it just cost $ for pucks. Im a cheep sob!
Piggaletto
New member
Fucking Retards...