Crossed up!

[CrazyKell]

Ugh. So I just got my pics back from this weekend. I knew it but I now have photographic evidence.

I am so freakin' crossed up it's not even funny. I can start to get my ass off the seat and my leg out....but it's like my arms and upper body will not move!

Anyone else have to get past this? Any tips?

[HokieDNA01]

Kiss the mirror. That is what they have told me. I now work on shifting my upper body first and let my lower body follow.

[Trip]

This is one aspect where it just takes comfort in getting use to it. I don't mean like physical comfort, but in riding comfort where you feel like you aren't falling off the bike or having to slow to adjust to the new position. The best advice is to try to get further towards the mirror, but don't lose a comfortable position that allows you to ride the best. Racers are the only ones that really need to hang off like a damned monkey, you just need to find where your upper body is relaxed and you feel you can push the bike the best, if you feel you can ride a good pace and you are working on getting your body off more, that's all you need to do. Don't sacrifice the comfort level of your riding in trying to look the part.

[shmike]

For most it is a natural reaction. They feel comfortable "on" the bike and don't want to stray too far.

So many people talk about "getting your ass off the seat" or "dragging a knee" that most noobs think that is all there is to body position.

The kiss the mirrors is a good example. Another I have used is to pretend that there is a vertical board where your upper fairing is, force yourself to look around it.

If you lead with your upper body, your hips will follow.

[CrazyKell]

I was told to try and check my makeup in the mirror.

Guess I don't wear enough makeup.

I'm going to try leading with my upper body though. I think that would help!

[was92v]

I'm no expert, but hanging off with your spine in a straight line parallel to the bike is great form and it also allows you to achieve a neutral balanced feel with your outside arm resting on the tank and/or your thigh. It also means you have a lot less leverage to move the bike in a hurry, especially it you are on a heavy bike that requires some force. Or if you are riding something with an explosive power band that may require some immediate correction in multiple directions at once to stay off the ground. But I guess most bikes don't behave that way anymore. When it feels serene, it is right for you, regardless of how it looks in a picture and when you are comfortable with the ride, you will go faster without seeming to.

[Homeslice]

Drop the inside elbow and shoulder. Graze the tank with your chest. Look into the turn. Use the other arm to brace against the tank.

Put your bike on a rearstand and practice shifting from side to side.

[Sean]

Right turn, left tit on the tank. Left turn, right tit on the tank.

[derf]

Originally Posted by Sean

Right turn, left tit on the tank. Left turn, right tit on the tank.

Funny funny funny

[DLIT]

Bend your elbow. You'll have no choice but to move your upper off. Try to get your armpit directly over the gas cap. Not touching it, but over it. I'm not a fan of kissing the mirror because I don't like the way it makes me feel.