TEAM Arizona Riding Tip: The Downside to Dragging Hard Parts
Last Updated: December 1st, 2020
“So I was barreling around this corner, really going at it, and then SCCCRRRRRRAAAAPE! I was dragging my peg in the corner! It was awesome!”
This was a direct quote from a participant at a recent event we attended. We’ve heard it before. We’ve been there ourselves. We felt that rush of accomplishment the first time our peg touched down. May as well be a rite of passage for motorcyclists.
The more we get comfortable with leaning a motorcycle over in a corner, the farther we want to lean the motorcycle. The conventional wisdom is that we’re not “real riders” until we lean our motorcycles over until we’re dragging hard parts. Unfortunately, conventional wisdom has it all wrong.
DRAGGING HARD PARTS DOESN’T EQUATE TO SKILL
The issue at hand is the more lean angle we use, the more we think we’re demonstrating skill. Unfortunately, it is just the opposite. The challenge is to keep more of your ground clearance and lean angle in reserve when cornering on the road. The more lean angle we have in reserve, the safer and, if necessary, the faster we can be as riders.
The downside from dragging hard parts is that we run out of options. If we need to tighten our line mid corner what will happen if we’re already dragging hard parts? The picture above shows what will happen. If that rider would have kept some lean angle in reserve, they possibly would have been able to tighten their line and avoid the upcoming fate.
Dragging hard parts means we risk leveraging the motorcycle off of the ground or lightening the load on our tires which may reduce or eliminate traction. Next thing ya know, we have an unplanned meeting with Mr. Asphalt. Not fun.
HOW TO AVOID DRAGGING HARD PARTS
The panacea for dragging hard parts may initially sound simple. Slow more before the corner, use a path of travel that reduces the need for lean angle, and try to be on the throttle near the apex of the corner so that we are raising our suspension to increase ground clearance when we need it the most.
Additional cures include advanced riding techniques include trail braking to manage suspension position and body position to change the center of gravity of you and the vehicle. Courses like Advanced Riding Techniques and Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic are great for learning the proper application of these techniques in a challenging yet safe environment.
WHICH PILL WILL YOU TAKE?
Remember the scene in the Matrix movie where the protagonist is offered two pills?
“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”
We have a choice to make as motorcyclists. Taking the blue pill means we as riders will continue to do what we’re doing; growth stunted. Taking the red pill means you are actively making the decision to advanced your skills by taking rider training. What choice will you make? Will you let TEAM Arizona show you how deep the rabbit hole goes?
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