Okay, this might be the most winter-time thread of 'em all. It may get me shamed out of this place, but I'll ask it anyway...

Many moons ago, I learned that pushing down on the foot peg or board on the same side as you want to turn will help guide the bike through the turn. Something about lowering the center of gravity and moving it toward the side that you are making the turn.

I also have noted that pushing both feet down on the footboards of my Softail Springer helps keep the bike straighter. It seems not to want to wander as much. I usually just rest my feet on the boards and let the seat be the pivot point most times, but every time I notice myself getting tired and sloppy, I plant both of my feet into the boards and the bike gets on a rail and stays there. Again, possibly lowering the center of gravity?

Now, I'll admit that I'm no formation rider, as I usually ride alone and the entire lane is my oyster, so to speak. But has anyone noticed this phenomenon? Is this common knowledge that I just happened to trip over in my travels? If nothing else, it may serve as a prime-time, winter thread as we recover from figuring out where we keep our gas cap.
Discuss...

 

Pushing down on both boards wont change the center of gravity because you're not adding any weight to the bike. I dont stand on my boards or pegs on the off chance something breaks and I do a cartwheel off the side of the bike and into the rhubarb.

 

MXJunky is prone to weight the outside peg when turning.

 

I should clarify. I didn't mean actually standing on the pegs/boards, but exerting more pressure than simply resting your foot on them. Pushing down on them, I guess.

Now that is interesting. Is this on the street, track, or MX/dirt riding?

 

MXJ has used the technique on dirtbikes, dualsport bikes, sportbikes and his cruiser (Street Bob).

 

Cops mount bikes from the board on the brake side.

 

I sometimes do stand up on my boards. For kicks, or to air out my pants on a very hot day. Now with that said....

I read about pushing on the inside peg to help cornering. But then I look at Moto GP and see what they are doing with their inside knee leaned out and dragging the ground as well as shifting their weight to the inside side of the seat or even off the seat, I can't see them adding much pressure to the inside peg. Adding weight to the inside to keep the bike more upright, yes.

EDIT: After thinking about the MGP riders. Even though their hip and knee look like they are easily flexing as needed, maybe they are putting some weight on the inside peg. To me, with the way the outside leg is sitting on the seat and calf clamping to the bike, I'm just not sure how much weight is added to the inside peg?

JMHO.
Tom

 

Since I ride a 'low' there is not much travel in the rear suspension. Just as there wasn't much back in my dirt riding days, the early '70s.
I sometimes raise my butt off the seat for bumps. It still just seems natural to me.

Depending on the club sponsoring the race, and their choice of terrain, there were times we would ride great distances standing on the pegs.

 

I believe you do somewhat "steer" with your feet in a small way
That`s why I`m not a fan of forward controls
YMMV

 

Pushing on the peg or floorboard has the same effect as shifting your weight, but if you think that's cool, wait until you find out what pushing on your handlebars does.