Standing on the Foot Pegs on the Street

[troy]

If you've ever been in a debate about when it makes sense to stand on the pegs, I found myself agreeing with the logic in this article.

http://magazine.americanmotorcyclist.co ... he-street/

I stand on the pegs off-pavement for all the reasons described in the article. The only reason I stand when on paved streets is to stretch my legs and get off my ass for a minute! No doubt about it, if I were running 45 mph and needed to emergency brake to avoid a deer, I would want to be sitting.

I stand A LOT--it's the only way I can make it through a 300+ mile day on these 2x4 hard seats! When on road sections, I tend to want to stand as I enter small towns since the speed is so slow and feels safer. Of course, that's also the best time to get caught as a hooligan.

On another note, I just realized the emoticons are missing in this post editor! Hmmmm....

[Stu]

At my age my knees are not the best so I opt for a softer saddle and sit more.

Stu

[ajayhawkfan]

If you've ever been in a debate about when it makes sense to stand on the pegs, I found myself agreeing with the logic in this article.

http://magazine.americanmotorcyclist.co ... he-street/

I stand on the pegs off-pavement for all the reasons described in the article. The only reason I stand when on paved streets is to stretch my legs and get off my ass for a minute! No doubt about it, if I were running 45 mph and needed to emergency brake to avoid a deer, I would want to be sitting.

I stand A LOT--it's the only way I can make it through a 300+ mile day on these 2x4 hard seats! When on road sections, I tend to want to stand as I enter small towns since the speed is so slow and feels safer. Of course, that's also the best time to get caught as a hooligan.

On another note, I just realized the emoticons are missing in this post editor! Hmmmm....

I don't fully agree with the article. I stand a lot while riding, both on and off black top. It 45 MPH or below I'm on my pegs. I don't believe the writer of the article rides much dual sport if at all. A few comments (my opinion):

The article states "when standing, a rider can see a bit farther ahead in dense or uneven terrain." I agree but it is also true while riding blacktop in metropolitan areas. The more you see the better you can anticipate problems. That is an advantage on blacktop as well as on gravel.

If you're staining on your pegs you can shift your weight back much quicker in an emergency breaking condition whether on gravel or blacktop. That will stop you faster and possible keep you from being tossed over you handlebars. Again an advantage over sitting.

The article also states, "Having a good connection between the bike and one’s lower body can also help to leave the arms and hands relaxed for more precise control inputs." That comment written by some MSF instructor is why I believe he has little or no experience off black top. Sitting or standing the body should be relaxed, on blacktop of off. If the writer does not know that, he should not be giving advice.

[Stu]

"The article also states, "Having a good connection between the bike and one’s lower body can also help to leave the arms and hands relaxed for more precise control inputs." That comment written by some MSF instructor is why I believe he has little or no experience off black top. Sitting or standing the body should be relaxed, on blacktop of off. If the writer does not know that, he should not be giving advice."


Well...yes & no. I think it is more complicated. When racing MX you normally stand on jumps and sit for control in corners, but not always. It depends on the rider & the riding surface (mud, sand, hardpack). A lot of riders stand on the straights in hare scrambles or when attacking rock gardens or creeks but otherwise sit. The older riders sit more than the teenagers. The longer dual sport journeys can see even the guys that like to stand sitting more as well. I was on a dual sport ride two weeks ago that took 4.5 hours to go 120 kilometers. 60 of those kilometers were like the worst (that is, best) enduro trail imaginable. One road had 120 switchbacks in it. That gets wearing especially when they are so steep you cannot see big construction trucks coming the other way & the road is only one lane wide.


Stu

[troy]

If you're staining on your pegs you can shift your weight back much quicker in an emergency breaking condition whether on gravel or blacktop. That will stop you faster and possible keep you from being tossed over you handlebars. Again an advantage over sitting.

I think I disagree with this. I love standing on the pegs and do A LOT, but I'd rather be sitting on the seat if a true emergency braking situation were to arise. At least for me, and maybe I'm doing it wrong, I have much less ability to resist my body's forward motion when standing. I think if I had to lock up brakes while standing, I might get sling-shot over my bars! If I was sitting, I can hug the bike with everything I've got--legs, knees, and have my arms extended directly in front pressing into the bars to hold myself on the bike during extreme braking.

Remember, though, that riding a motorcycle is always a safety compromise. I'm going to keep standing on the pegs when I feel like it, but I have to admit, I'm careful to sit down when I spot an officer of the law. Even though I feel "justified", I'd rather not deal with the hassle and possible fine.

And now your quote of the day:

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

[ajayhawkfan]

If you're staining on your pegs you can shift your weight back much quicker in an emergency breaking condition whether on gravel or blacktop. That will stop you faster and possible keep you from being tossed over you handlebars. Again an advantage over sitting.

I think I disagree with this. I love standing on the pegs and do A LOT, but I'd rather be sitting on the seat if a true emergency braking situation were to arise. At least for me, and maybe I'm doing it wrong, I have much less ability to resist my body's forward motion when standing. I think if I had to lock up brakes while standing, I might get sling-shot over my bars! If I was sitting, I can hug the bike with everything I've got--legs, knees, and have my arms extended directly in front pressing into the bars to hold myself on the bike during extreme braking.

Remember, though, that riding a motorcycle is always a safety compromise. I'm going to keep standing on the pegs when I feel like it, but I have to admit, I'm careful to sit down when I spot an officer of the law. Even though I feel "justified", I'd rather not deal with the hassle and possible fine.

And now your quote of the day:

Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.

[Harvey Mushman]

"The article also states, "Having a good connection between the bike and one’s lower body can also help to leave the arms and hands relaxed for more precise control inputs." That comment written by some MSF instructor is why I believe he has little or no experience off black top. Sitting or standing the body should be relaxed, on blacktop of off. If the writer does not know that, he should not be giving advice."



I believe the writer was referring to riding a street bike on tarmac and to that end, I too prefer to be seated when riding, and, if I have to make an evasive maneuver, I want to be seated when doing so as I can control the bike much better.
When riding dirt or DS, I stand up a lot to deal with the surface irregularities, to give the knees a break and also to give my ass a break. When sitting, you can also squeeze the tank with your legs and this will allow you to loosen your grip a bit to help relax your arms and hands if needed.
Another technique old racers do is to "hover" over the seat. Here you are raising your butt maybe a couple inches max off the seat which helps the bike respond to obstacles, while still keeping your body weight low. This also enables you to get back on the seat quickly if needed.
I just returned from three days in Eureka Springs/Combs/Whiterock area and we stood up alot on the street just to lessen the monkey butt, not to control the bike better.

[Jamee]

Working a lot this last year to stand more often then not while riding off road.. I've definitely gotten much faster, and feel much more in control doing so /offroad. That being said, I now find when I ride on the road with the WR, I perfer standing as well. This is mainly slower sub 35mph situations and around my local town.

I've looked, and can't seem to find anything regarding laws on this. Is it legal to stand while riding on the pavement? Anyone have any consensus on how the authorities feel about this? The local police in my town seem to know who I am and don't bother with me, but I've wondered how this might be viewed in other locations?

***edit to clean up sloppy grammer

[ajayhawkfan]

I have been pulled over while standing, 3 times in Arkansas, twice in Kansas, once in South Dakota and at least a few other times in other states. I have only received warnings.

Most states have something that reads similar to the Nebraska law, "Any person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward."

[Jamee]

I have been pulled over while standing, 3 times in Arkansas, twice in Kansas, once in South Dakota and at least a few other times in other states. I have only received warnings.

Most states have something that reads similar to the Nebraska law, "Any person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward."

Wow! - Good to know, thanks for the info.

[xr-nut]

I just returned from three days in Eureka Springs/Combs/Whiterock area

You still ride old man? And I didn't get an invite.........

[xr-nut]

I have been pulled over while standing, 3 times in Arkansas, twice in Kansas, once in South Dakota and at least a few other times in other states. I have only received warnings.

Most states have something that reads similar to the Nebraska law, "Any person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward."

I've been stopped by Sabetha KS pd for standing. He quoted the "sitting astride, facing forward with BOTH hands free to hold the grips" statute. I asked him why he really stopped me. He let me go with a verbal warning, thanked me for my service. (ks vet tag)