Long legs & brake taps

queen of spodes
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 5:34pm
I rode moto for the first time in a couple months last weekend. Had fun, but towards the end of my ride I got tired and stopped standing. Almost looped over a little uphill double before pulling off for the day.

While loading up I watched a couple guys brake tap over the same jump and I realized that I've never learned to do that.

It seems like its much easier to tap the brake lever with short legs. I tried adjusting the pedal down a few years ago but it wasn't comfortable so I put it back to the stock height.

Do any of you tall people have trouble brake tapping? If not, what is your technique? Do you stand so your leg is almost perpendicular to the pegs (butt on the fender)?
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mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/4/2011 1:27pm
10/4/2011 1:27pm
If you're using proper technique and gripping the bike with your legs the brake lever should always be an ankle pivot away from touching.
queen of spodes 10/4/2011 8:22pm
10/4/2011 8:22pm
How tall are you? (if you don't mind my askin!)
mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/5/2011 6:01am
10/5/2011 6:01am
5' 9
mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/5/2011 6:05am
10/5/2011 6:05am
I guess i'm not sure what you're getting at.....

The length of your legs has less to do with it. It's all about the position you hold with your feet on the pegs in relation to pedal. If you are "stomping" with your leg i could see a problem, but the peg should be at the arch of your foot so all you have to do is pivot your ankle.

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queen of spodes 10/5/2011 7:30am
10/5/2011 7:30am
Extreme example....

(Bill Russell, former nba player)

I'm not that tall most of us aren't. The L of my leg & ankle sits farther forward than people with short legs, so it's harder to mess with the rear brake especially when crouched low or sitting. Its easier if I'm standing with my butt way back on the rear fender.
queen of spodes 10/5/2011 7:32am
10/5/2011 7:32am
It's almost impossible to use the rear brake effectively if I'm up on the tank. I have to stand on it practically. Or maybe my technique is way off (probably). I didn't pick this username for nothin!
mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/5/2011 8:48am
10/5/2011 8:48am
You might try several different height with the pedal. go up and down and see what works. Are you running a tall seat?

Do you have the same problem with the shifter? if not, try to put the pedal at the same height as the shifter. It's really hard to give advice when you aren't physically riding in front of me.
queen of spodes 10/5/2011 10:17am
10/5/2011 10:17am
I'm using the stock seat on my RM right now. I had a tall SDG on my old KX250 (icon), but it really didn't feel much taller than stock so that's whey I didn't get one for my Suzuki. I read about a 2" tall seat but haven't been able to find it yet (mines a '01 RM125). I have tall bars and 1" risers. Going from standing to sitting is tough after a couple hours of riding. I have a 36" inseam.

I'll try playing with the pedal and shifter height again.
CamP
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CamP 10/5/2011 12:56pm
10/5/2011 12:56pm
I'm 6'-6" with a 38" inseam. I can't use the rear brake while sitting, so whenever I enter corners I stay standing as long as possible.

I've never had a problem using the rear brake while jumping.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 10/5/2011 1:12pm
10/5/2011 1:12pm
If you press your outside knee against the tank (in left handers) while sitting down and trying to break it creates a pivot point for you to break. This is proper technique anyways. You shouldn't look all bow legged in any part of a turn.

I'm 6'4'' and have a 36" inseem I know what you're talking about trust me. I used to have this problem a bunch but I learned to stand up braking as much as possible going into right handers (and left) then sit down and roll on the power. If you go out and do some circle drills on flat land for a couple hours you will be surprised how quick you get going as long as you know the proper technique.

I don't use the break tap all the often... I just never got in the habit of it. If you are tall you can learn to manipulate the bike in the air just by keeping your head over your bars at take off and maintaining your center of balance.
mxpunk
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mxpunk 10/8/2011 6:04pm
10/8/2011 6:04pm
brake tapping, while it does look cool is an old school method of adjusting the bikes attitude in the air..

with proper technique you shouldnt need to.

not sure how it effects laptimes at a local level but i know the pros are against it because it kills inertia from the rear wheel.

it seems like pro's only use it these days in emergencies
DownSouth
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DownSouth 10/9/2011 10:19am
10/9/2011 10:19am
queen of spodes wrote:
Extreme example.... [img]http://bobbymx.com/MISC/smits%20maico.jpg[/img] (Bill Russell, former nba player) I'm not that tall most of us aren't. The L of my leg & ankle sits farther forward...
Extreme example....

(Bill Russell, former nba player)

I'm not that tall most of us aren't. The L of my leg & ankle sits farther forward than people with short legs, so it's harder to mess with the rear brake especially when crouched low or sitting. Its easier if I'm standing with my butt way back on the rear fender.
That is actually 7'-4" Rik Smits "The dunking Ducthman" formally of the Indiana Pacers.

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