How to Hang Off a Motorcycle Correctly While Cornering

• Table of Contents
• 1. What is Hanging Off a Motorcycle While Cornering?
• 2. Why Hanging Off a Motorcycle While Cornering?
• 3. How to Correctly Hang Off a Motorcycle While Cornering?
• 3.1 How to Adjust Your Body While Hanging Off a Motorcycle
• 3.2 Relationship between Hanging Off a Motorcycle and Lean Angle
• 3.3 When to Hang Off a Motorcycle
• 3.4 Slow In, Fast Out
• 3.5 Practicing and Observing
• 4. Takeaway

Turning a corner requires understanding physics and motorcycle dynamics. Learning the science behind turning a corner can make you a better motorcycle rider.

Motorcycle riding is a skill that can be learned with practice over time. One of the most difficult situations when riding a motorcycle is turning a tight corner. Most riders, even experts, can become nervous turning a corner and might make mistakes. Most motorcycle crashes on race tracks occur while turning a corner.

There are different ways you can approach turning a corner. Usually, this can be accomplished by leaning with the motorbike to adjust the center of gravity. There are also different ways you can lean on a motorbike while turning a corner. The most common methods are counter-steering or hanging off.

Counter-steering can help you make turns at lower speeds. Counter-steering involves the rider gently pushing the handlebars to the side they are turning. Meanwhile, hanging off a motorcycle involves positioning your body or adjusting your weight towards the side you are turning. This article explains how to hang off a motorcycle correctly while cornering.

1. What is Hanging Off a Motorcycle While Cornering?

Photo Credit: @cycleworld

Photo Credit: @revzilla

While turning a corner, the rider has to make the motorcycle lean towards the turn to adjust the center of gravity. Friction is produced at the point of contact, which in turn produces centripetal force and acceleration. If the rider does not lean while turning, the motorcycle loses centripetal force and crashes. When hanging off a motorcycle, riders shift their weight towards the side they are turning.

2. Why Hang Off a Motorcycle While Cornering?

Hanging off a motorcycle while cornering allows riders to comfortably turn corners. If you turn a corner in an upright or neutral body position, you have to lean the motorcycle at a greater angle. However, the lean angle tends to decrease when you hang off a motorcycle while cornering.

Hanging off a motorcycle also takes less time to turn when doing a long sweeper than leaning a motorcycle while in a neutral body position while cornering. It also ensures you have better control and allows you to remain relaxed.

3. How to Correctly Hang Off a Motorcycle While Cornering

If you have a sports bike and you love racing on tracks, you need to learn how to hang off a motorbike to increase faster and improve your confidence. But remember not to hang off frequently while on the road.

3.1 How to Adjust Your Body While Hanging Off a Motorcycle

Photo Credit: @asphaltandrubber

While making a left turn, your left elbow should bend, your right elbow should remain straight, and your chest should be facing the fuel tank. You have to gradually shift your lower body as well towards the side you are leaning to adjust the combined center of gravity. The combined center of gravity is located at the middle where both the motorcycle and rider's weight are exerted. When you hang off a motorcycle, you shift your center of gravity away from the center and reduce the motorcycle’s lean angle. Make sure not to completely lift your lower body off of the seat.

3.2 Relationship between Hanging Off a Motorcycle and Lean Angle

It is dangerous for riders to not hang off their motorbikes and instead lean farther to increase the angle while turning corners. Hanging off a motorbike not only helps reduce the lean angle but also reduces stress on the tires.

3.3 When to Hang Off a Motorcycle

Photo Credit: @ultimatemotorcycling

Do not hang off a motorbike while turning at every corner. Determine whether it is safe to do so based on the road’s condition, distance, and how confident you are turning a corner. Hanging off a motorbike is effective while turning long sweepers. If you are turning a tight corner, it is better to adjust the position of your knee and lean to the side while sitting in a neutral position.

3.4 Slow In, Fast Out

“Slow in, fast out.” This is an old saying offering advice on how to safely turn corners. Make sure to lower your speed while entering a corner. This will give you enough time to downshift or apply the brakes. While turning a corner, you may need to make a decision within a few seconds. Entering a corner at a slow speed will give you more time to think. At the end of the corner, the rider needs to accelerate slightly to keep the tires connected to the ground and ensure better control.

3.5 Practicing and Observing

The best way to learn is by observing other riders and comparing how they turn corners. You can also ask experienced riders what they do while turning corners. Hanging off a motorbike is not an easy skill to master and takes time to improve. Through practice and observing other riders, you can learn how to hang off a motorbike correctly. Start practicing on a track that is familiar to you and with little to no traffic.

4. Takeaway

Hanging off a motorbike is an important riding skill that involves physics and motorcycle dynamics. If you want to become an expert motorcycle rider or a track racer, you must know how to hang off a motorcycle and turn a corner like a pro. Hanging off a motorbike while turning corners helps reduce the lean angle, turn corners more quickly, and makes riding safer.

To keep your frame and engine from scraping against the ground while turning corners, Viking Bags has crash bars you can install on your motorcycle. Also, if you are a motorcycle enthusiast and love touring, there are different luggage options available, including saddlebags and sissy bar bags. Other aftermarket parts include handlebars, sissy bars, and fairings.