knee down?

[wulfie]

hello all 

I am just wondering if it its possible for knee down madness with my monster i don't have any chicken strips on the rear tire and i feel as if i have the bike cracked over as it will go and alas still no knee down!?  so im just wondering is it possible or not with the monster? or am i going to have to try a new riding style to get the holy grail of knee down ^.^

cheers

wulfie.

[Spidey]

The short answer is "Yes, it is possible."

The better answer is that you shouldn't be focused on it.  I know its tempting to want to get your knee down, but having it be a goal of street riding is pretty dangerous.  Similarly, you shouldn't be focused on your chicken strips.  That another way to run of out of luck (and traction) earlier than you intended.  I'll also tell you that the bike can go a lot further over than you're going and that you can hang off the bike a lot more than you are doing.  That said, it's probably not a great idea to keep testing the lean angles.  Just focus on your body position and on getting off the bike.

If you really, really want to get your knee down, go a parking lot and ride in tight circles with your monster.  Hang way off and you'll get your knee down.

For reference, here's a thread about clearance on a monster with some almost-knee-down pics (from about five years ago):  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=11443.0

[the_Journeyman]

What Spidey said.  I've yet to put a knee on the pavement, but it's very doable ~

JM

[Slide Panda]

If you really, really want to get your knee down, go a parking lot and ride in tight circles with your monster.  Hang way off and you'll get your knee down.

Sign up for Lee Parks 'Total Control' classes.. they will have you putting a knee down at 20 mph in a parking lot... goal achieved.

[Got Duc]

I wouldn't focus on it as said above.

The monster likes to grind hard parts when put at an extreme angle. (I hit my kickstand constantly)

If you really want the knee to touch get your ass further off the seat. 

[wulfie]

Thanks for all the info  I'm not totally intent on getting my knee down  i was more wondering if it was possible i mean Ive have the usual clearance problems when i got the bike at first *I managed to grind the front peg's & brake & gear leaver* but that all got sorted with proper suspension set up, as for the chicken strips i don't have any i find it very easy to get rid of them with the standard size tires *120/60ZR17 & 160/60ZR17* for the bike and i don't really think of them i was more meaning that if I'm hanging off the bike far enough to already be getting rid of the strips i cant be that far from almost getting my knee down?

[Slide Panda]

I'm hanging off the bike far enough to already be getting rid of the strips i cant be that far from almost getting my knee down?

Errr.... hanging off the bike more will actually lend itself to bigger chicken strips.  Putting more of the riders weight to the inside of the turn lesses the lean on the bike at a given speed.  So if you're properly hanging off the bike... and to the edge of your tires.. um you aught to be going 142 on a 620. 

But maybe I'm a little confused here.. something doesn't add up to 100% in my head when I read your last post.. so perhaps I'm not 100% understanding

[MAXdB]

Thanks for all the info  I'm not totally intent on getting my knee down  i was more wondering if it was possible i mean Ive have the usual clearance problems when i got the bike at first *I managed to grind the front peg's & brake & gear leaver* but that all got sorted with proper suspension set up, as for the chicken strips i don't have any i find it very easy to get rid of them with the standard size tires *120/60ZR17 & 160/60ZR17* for the bike and i don't really think of them i was more meaning that if I'm hanging off the bike far enough to already be getting rid of the strips i cant be that far from almost getting my knee down?

Getting your knee down for the first time is something you'll never forget-- one of those milestones of riding--so I understand where you're coming from but I'd recommend taking it to the track where you'll be in a perfect environment to improve your riding skill and also possibly get your knee down in the process.. and maybe even learn getting your knee down doesn't mean faster than no-knee-down. btw just because you dont' have chicken strips doesnt really mean much.. a person leaning away from the bike (dirt style) will get rid of their chicken strips very early while being far from knee down.. good luck..  [moto]

[Monster Dave]

Get the TOTAL CONTROL book by Lee Parks. It's great. Everyone so far has given pretty sound advice. What I've learned about getting that knee down is that it's NOT about speed, but it's far more about body position.

Here I was at about 20mph on Pilot Road tires (Taking the TC course with Lee Parks):



Body position is everything, especially on the Monster. Remember to turn your shoulders in the direction of your turn, a lot of riders forget that crucial move. If you are in the correct position say for a left bank turn, you should notice that:

1) Your right elbow is against the right side of the tank (or very close) but relaxed.
2) The right side of your chest is against the tank (or very close to it).
3) Your left wrist should feel taught the weight of your body falling gradually over towards your left arm.
4) Your right leg is wide (but snug) on the tank, but firmly squeezing your right foot and heel into the foot grip. 
5) Your shoulders are twisted in the direction of the turn.
6) Your head is focused on looking THROUGH the turn.
7) Your derrier is far to the left, your left leg is out in a natural leaned position.
8 ) You are RELAXED - you have to breath. Taking a deep breath before you initiate this process is VERY helpful to get your body down in the right position.

Just look at Lee's body position:



and again:






I don't think that I've forgotten anything, but really, reading the TC book will really help you conceptialize this process.

Oh, one more thing, don't EVER try and ride on the road as though you were on the track.

[corey]

read the book last summer.
i misunderstood some of the concepts, but it was a great book. the section on cornering really helped my skills.
the book could use a little more on body positioning, for me anyway.
im into "twist of the wrist II" right now, a much more detailed read.

[Monster Dave]

read the book last summer.
i misunderstood some of the concepts, but it was a great book. the section on cornering really helped my skills.
the book could use a little more on body positioning, for me anyway.
im into "twist of the wrist II" right now, a much more detailed read.

Good book too. Very different writing styles. I'd recommend both to just about anyone. 

[Monstermonkey]

The side stand will usually hit first on left turns, so watch out.

[Statler]

The side stand will usually hit first on left turns, so watch out.

notice that in this pic the knee would be down long before now if the rider opened up the hip and extended the knee.   The knee comes closer to the bike as you go farther over.   So you could carve off big chinks of knee slider at a lesser angle of lean than this.

So yes, monsters are not a limiting factor.   NuTTs, a member here from Spain, used to grind down pucks and most of his boot on his RS on the track.

[Monster Dave]

The side stand will usually hit first on left turns, so watch out.

Great shot! 

[Smokescreen]

I was just discussing this today with a rider.  It's not as easy to get knee down on a monster if only because the bars are soo wide that you are almost forced to get crossed up to reach the uphill bar.  at least that's my experience.  But then, I tend to drag my knee a little crossed up.  Think arse off the seat, but my head is above my hand.