Riding technique: Feet on the supports is the new trend
The hottest new riding technique in the motocross world is to keep your feet on the jacks throughout the turn. Although not always perfect, the trend is increasingly visible in MXGP and Supercross. This is mainly done to maintain balance when exiting a bend.
Driving with your feet on the supports is not new. But in the early days of motocross, leaving your inside leg on the footpegs in a turn was a risk. The motorcycles then had less suspension travel. The machines were simply smaller and the footrests were closer to the ground.
Just because modern pilots have embraced riding with their feet on the footpegs doesn't mean it's always the best strategy. Because the footpegs are located below the center of gravity, the energy transferred from the rider's legs to the footpegs has a significant effect on the motorcycle's handling – more than the rider's weight on the saddle. Keeping your feet on the footpegs helps you maintain a more balanced weight on the motorcycle, leading to smoother turns.
Keeping your feet on the supports in a turn is not always better. So it depends on the situation. In some corners it may be easier and quicker for a rider to take his foot off. A number of MXGP and Supercross motocross riders don't keep their feet on the jacks full-time, but they are keeping them on more and more often. The main advantage of keeping your feet on the supports is that it increases consistency. With fewer movements it's easier to stay focused on a good turn and the next straight.
When you rest your feet on the footrests, your body does not expend energy lifting and straightening your leg. Don't forget to factor in the extra weight of boots and knee protection. Secondly, it reduces fatigue in your arms and shoulders because you have more grip with your legs.
To take full advantage of keeping your feet on the supports throughout the turn, pay attention to exactly where your feet touch the supports. You have to ride on the balls of your feet. It's just behind your toes. If you don't, your boot could hit the inside of the track and twist your knee. Riding on the balls of your feet also allows you to flex your ankles so you can absorb bumps.
Practice this driving method thoroughly. With more momentum and a bigger turn, it is easier to adapt to the technique of taking a turn without your inside leg being a “brace” to save you. Once you try the technique in tighter, more technical corners, you need to look further ahead and squeeze the bike with your legs. This prevents you from sliding with your inside leg.
A technique based on the same principles is “fast feet”. It means that your foot is as little away from the footrest as possible. Today's best riders are quick to put their feet back on the jacks because they know they can apply more throttle and go faster with more traction.
Electric motors without a shifter, brake pedal and clutch lever are ideal for practicing with your feet on the supports. They have no gearbox, making a clutch lever and a gear unnecessary. Many electric motocross bikes have a lever on the handlebars (where the clutch lever used to be) to operate the rear brake. This frees up both feet to remain on the footrests full-time. Less movement with your feet makes it easier to ride and easier to perform the correct technique.
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