Position of Feet on footpegs in a turn

[TDA]

Thus far I have gotten several different suggestions of foot position on the pegs while in a turn. One suggestion is that you stay on the balls of your feet on both pegs. The inside foot (inside the turn) will be pointed outward with the heel against the heel guard. The outside foot is pushing while weighting the inside.
Another suggestion is to hook the outside heel on the peg and push from the arch of your foot and use the ball of your foot on the inside as described before.
Is this an either or??? or is there are better way to do it?

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by TDA

Thus far I have gotten several different suggestions of foot position on the pegs while in a turn. One suggestion is that you stay on the balls of your feet on both pegs. The inside foot (inside the turn) will be pointed outward with the heel against the heel guard. The outside foot is pushing while weighting the inside.
Another suggestion is to hook the outside heel on the peg and push from the arch of your foot and use the ball of your foot on the inside as described before.
Is this an either or??? or is there are better way to do it?

Am sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong but Keith Code (CSS) states a bike cannot be steered by the pegs, try it when riding in a straight line rightly or wrongly i find it more comfortable and have more feel with both ball areas of feet on the pegs (unless in use of course....)

[MPwarrior]

In a turn, I have always felt more comfortable with only the balls of my feet on the pegs so that I can shift my weight better. But this is only my personal preference...hopefully I will learn if this is proper or not when I go to the CSS in August at VIR.

[NateSKRR]

The way I've learned the proper way to place the feet on the pegs is to ride on the ball of your feet, especially when in a turn. When leaning the bike it's best to do what's comfortable to obtain that arm cross-over and brace your body with your outside knee, it dosn't matter how much knee you're putting in to the turn, it's about distributing your weight outward and moving your helmet close to your inside mirror.

Anyone that rides on the arch of your foot while in a turn might find themselves with a few broken toes some day.

[crgrbrts]

Keith Code, Kevin Schwantz, and their instructors all advise to stay on the balls of your feet. This position gives the rider a better feel for the bike and facilitates smoother sliding from side to side when setting up for turns.

Kevin's instruction favors weighting the OUTSIDE peg in a turn to "better plant" the bike. Others disagree, saying the effect is mythical, kinda like whatever is supposed to happen when you hang your leg off the inside peg -- Rossi-like -- in a turn. (There's a LOT of "superstitious behavior" among racers -- have ya noticed?) Whatever peg weighting, if any, is comfortable for you will probably be fine, given Mr. Code's observation that you can't steer with your feet anyway. (But it sure feels like you can, eh?).

I interviewed Keith Code in person for about 45 minutes last Friday. He had some interesting things to say about the history of "hanging off" among other things. I'll share his remarks after I transcribe the chat. He's a really great guy -- one of the nicest I've ever met in the industry -- or anywhere -- for that matter. Besides the great pleasure of visiting with him, I also got my new S1000RR's suspension set up by one of his instructors. It really made a positive difference in handling!

[1000RR]

Originally Posted by crgrbrts

Keith Code, Kevin Schwantz, and their instructors all advise to stay on the balls of your feet. This position gives the rider a better feel for the bike and facilitates smoother sliding from side to side when setting up for turns.

Kevin's instruction favors weighting the OUTSIDE peg in a turn to "better plant" the bike. Others disagree, saying the effect is mythical, kinda like whatever is supposed to happen when you hang your leg off the inside peg -- Rossi-like -- in a turn. (There's a LOT of "superstitious behavior" among racers -- have ya noticed?) Whatever peg weighting, if any, is comfortable for you will probably be fine, given Mr. Code's observation that you can't steer with your feet anyway. (But it sure feels like you can, eh?).

I interviewed Keith Code in person for about 45 minutes last Friday. He had some interesting things to say about the history of "hanging off" among other things. I'll share his remarks after I transcribe the chat. He's a really great guy -- one of the nicest I've ever met in the industry -- or anywhere -- for that matter. Besides the great pleasure of visiting with him, I also got my new S1000RR's suspension set up by one of his instructors. It really made a positive difference in handling!

Can you share some of the changes that were made, why they were made... what it was before the change, etc. Weight of rider.... etc.

[crgrbrts]

Originally Posted by 1000RR

Can you share some of the changes that were made, why they were made... what it was before the change, etc. Weight of rider.... etc.

The adjustments were made after several sag and rebound measurements were made. I'll share the specifics in the next day or so from the data saved at home. The routine is not complex, but is a bit time-consuming (but worth it).

[misti]

Originally Posted by bananaman

Am sure i'll be corrected if i'm wrong but Keith Code (CSS) states a bike cannot be steered by the pegs, try it when riding in a straight line rightly or wrongly i find it more comfortable and have more feel with both ball areas of feet on the pegs (unless in use of course....)

Correct I also feel more comfortable with the balls of my feet on the pegs and find that it puts me more in a "ready" position. I tell my students to keep the balls of their feet on the pegs as well and to be like a jockey, light in the saddle, flexible, and quick. When you want to shift just move your foot forward, shift and then move it back. Also helps to keep your toes tucked in if you have big feet.

I wanted to touch on the idea of weighting the pegs as well. Keith states that a bike cannot be steered by weighting the pegs but he does advocate weighting the outside peg. What do you think would be the benefit of doing this? Hint- someone has touched on this in one of the replies Anyone experimented with weighting the outside peg? What do you notice?

I hope this isn't considered thread jacking...is it? I'm just trying to keep the discussion going...

Misti

[misti]

I started a new thread with the topic of peg weighting so you can answer the question there

[AMRRA12]

Stay on the balls of your feet, and contrary to Code's teaching you can B.S a bike it's not how your turn a bike but body steering is a huge tool