How Do You Learn To Knee Drag!

1958 Views 31 Replies 21 Participants Last post by LeanAngle, Oct 16, 2002

TAREK307

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2002

i've been riding for 2 months now, i have a 98 ninja 500r never rode before till now!!! i've already logged about 3,000 miles on my bike.... i want to learn how to take turns a little faster, so its more fun!! i'm a puss when it comes to taking a corner... i always slow way down, but see i'm new to this adn i don't wanna rush into things and become a statistic:redcreep WHEN IS IT THAT YOU KNOW YOUR READY TO TAKE THAT CORNER AT knee dragg'n speed!?

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rick

· #2 · Oct 10, 2002 (Edited)

I'd grab one of keith code's books and give it a good read. There's probably alot in there that you may want to start focusing on first before you worry about getting your knee on the deck.

As for my first time, one Saturday I decided that I wasn't going home until I did it. I found a corner I liked with a clear view and turn outs on each side and took it over and over and over and over again until I got me knee down and then I did it some more!

...and then I signed up for a trackday.

Brian FXSTB

· #3 · Oct 10, 2002

Like Rick said, the book(s) are a good place to start, but to some people, Keiths books are confusing. If I hadnt already known the basics when I read it, I'd been lost for sure.

If you havent already, buy a full leather suit (1 or 2 piece), some leather gloves (dont skimp here), boots and a GOOD helmet. Then, sign up for a track school and you'll be there before you know it.

Hammer4

· #4 · Oct 10, 2002 (Edited)

To be kinda blunt...get more saddle time bro...the speed, and draggin knees will come with time..you need to build on your skillz..There are many more important skillz to aquire riding a bike than draggin your knee, I know....looks cool, but it's a result, or a product of turning fast, although you could drag at much slower speeds, but that's not the point of doing it..

When IS the Time to take that corner at high speed.? Only you can answer that..your skill level, and confidence will determin it..don't rush it, that's how things turn ugly..

Just keep riding in the twisties, if possible, try and take an advanced rider school, such as Reg Pridmores Class Rides www.classrides.com check out the videos...good luck, and take your time...there's no trophies for draggin stuff...

Clay

· #5 · Oct 10, 2002

What everyone else said. All I can really add is to find yourself a great stretch of road. Then, practice on it, over and over and over. Go a little faster each time, get to know the road like you do your bike. Then it will come before you know it. Above all, just one corner. We have a section we like to call "The Playground". That's where we go to practice, it's one corner that we go and just do over and over again.

VTRweasel

· #6 · Oct 10, 2002

rick said:
I found a corner are liked with a clear view and turn outs on each side and take it over and over and over and over again until I got me knee down and then I did it somemore!

...and then I singed up for a trackday.

twist of the wrist II :thumb

um, i'd also suggest track school first.
take your time & learn from better riders

hey rick, have you been to www.bayarearidersforum.com yet?

Jim

· #7 · Oct 10, 2002

Everyone is right. Watching motorcycle races (live or on TV) will give you more of an idea also.

rick

· #8 · Oct 10, 2002 (Edited)

hey rick, have you been to www.bayarearidersforum.com yet?

Just discovered it a few days ago (in the whole SBN fallout).

Oh, and I'll ...er, fourth the track school suggestion and second the get some good gear suggestion!

TAREK307

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 10, 2002

twist of the wrist II

guys i already ordered twist of the wrist 2, it should be here any day now! as for msf course, i can't get into one around here, i'm gonna try one somewehre else and hopefully they won't be booked all year long like the one around here....thanks for your advice!!

B. Myers

· #10 · Oct 10, 2002

Ruff,

Don't get the MSF course and a track school or track day confused...they cover completely different skill sets.

B.

BlueDevil

· #11 · Oct 11, 2002

Kneedraggin Speed? Well I can get mine down near 20mph or less. Its not about speed in the corne so much as technique. Find a good line in a corner U can practice on (Tracks are best here) Keep practicing till U have a nice smooth line and can lean farther and farther till (ShaZammmmm!!!!!!!!) Good luck. Take it slow. I have ridden for many years and didnt touch mine down till early this year on my 3rd bike. Give it time grasshopper......

dedar

· #12 · Oct 11, 2002

Re: twist of the wrist II

RUFF_RYDA307 said:
guys i already ordered twist of the wrist 2, it should be here any day now! as for msf course, i can't get into one around here, i'm gonna try one somewehre else and hopefully they won't be booked all year long like the one around here....thanks for your advice!!

about the MSF course, you may still be able to take the course locally even though they say it's full. i've heard that you can just show up w/ money and take the place of someone who doesn't show. i've never tried it, but there were 3 no-shows when i took it.

BlueDevil

· #13 · Oct 11, 2002

Twist of the wrist books are ok. More for track and racing though. Im not sure the road warrior will benefit that much fom it. I learned about 2 - 3 tips from these books. Maybe checking it out from the local library is a better idea. Just my .02

TLstreak

· #14 · Oct 11, 2002

Dont rush it

It has taken me 8 years to get mine down. I never pushed myself really, I took all the time in the world to learn. I probably wouldnt have gotten it down if I hadnt been making as many trips to some of the harder roads in the state(s) near me to ride. I got into SBN then , and their members and it took off from there. My riding has improved 110% since last sept. when I decided I was going to get lost in a local mountain range on a weekend getaway from the inlaws.

BUT if I hadnt been a decent rider .....decent being, I didnt try to keep up with the group , I slowed if the road was above my level, and took my time to learn the area type stuff........id have wiped out a long time ago with a few others.

Get out and ride...ride everywhere you can. wait until after you have had to deal with some situations.....ie rocks, sand, cars, animals........knowing what going in too hot really feels like, scare the shit out of yourself a few times simply by breaking..thats the stuff that will make you a better rider in the long run, not by how fast you can go, wheelies, and a knee on the ground. Make it a goal that your not rushing to get to!

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StrickSVS

· #15 · Oct 12, 2002

What these guys have said is true. Be careful at trying to hard. Kneedraggin is a side affect not an indicator. Work on your riding technic and then the speed will eventually come. Once you get faster your knee will eventually touch down. Touching your knee is neat and I couldn't wait to do it but it does not mean your are fast. the important thing is to be smooth with the bike.

Sidewalk

· #16 · Oct 12, 2002

Confidense does not neccasarily mean competence. That is how I found out that my bike crashes well:rolleyes

Dr.Dover

· #17 · Oct 12, 2002

I just took a runnin start and slid across the parkin lot a wahla instant knee down :redflip I have found that the smoother I am the more I drag a knee

TAREK307

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 12, 2002

noticed

BlueDevil said:
Twist of the wrist books are ok. More for track and racing though. Im not sure the road warrior will benefit that much fom it. I learned about 2 - 3 tips from these books. Maybe checking it out from the local library is a better idea. Just my .02

i am just starting to read it and i'm noticing that alot of it does have to do with racing, everyone said get the book get the book!!!!
MUDA FUCKAS!!:redflip

TLstreak

· #19 · Oct 12, 2002

try proficient motorcycling........has nothing to do with speed and everything to do with riding a bike well.

Sidewalk

· #20 · Oct 12, 2002

TLstreak said:
try proficient motorcycling........has nothing to do with speed and everything to do with riding a bike well.

A great book as well. Should take priority.

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