HOW TO GET YOUR KNEE DOWN
Necessary? No. Cool? Absolutely. Whether you admit it or not, knee down has been motorcycling’s holy grail for decades. So, as March turns to April and spring to summer, we asked Rapid Pro Coach and seasoned road racer Dave Hewson for his five top tips.
Position your feet so that the balls of your feet rest on the footpegs.
Before you enter the braking zone, lift your weight from the seat slightly by pushing down on the footpegs and smoothly shift your backside across to the inside of the bike so that one cheek is off the seat.
As you enter the bend, shift your upper body smoothly so that your head moves towards the mirror on the inside of the bike – this will bring you parallel with the centre of the bike.
Allow your knee to fall naturally towards the floor (don’t force it).
Gradually build your entry speed until you achieve the lean angle required for your knee to naturally touch the asphalt.
Of course, we would strongly recommend you to attend a track event, ideally with a reputable coach, to learn this technique. Dave is one of our coaches at events and courses we run at Blyton Park.
Getting your knee down is not necessary for a smooth, fast, safe ride on the road. It will not make you faster.