There have been a few discussions in several threads as to why people can and can't get their knee down. These reasons *cough* vary from being too short to being the wrong shape. So being short and the wrong shape I  decided to find out how much of a factor is rider's size and shape in getting your knee down.

It was a warm and dry early September afternoon and I had a hour spare so I decided to try and find out if getting my knee down would be easier if I wasn't vertically  challenged.

My Statistics:
Height 5' 5"
Inside leg = 29"
Crotch to centre of knee = 14" [4]
Waist = 33"  [1]
Chest =  43"
Weight = 73kg
GSX R1000 seat height = 32.7"

Before I started I rubbed some chalk on to my back tyre so that I could see how far over I had to crank the bike. I even wore my new 1 piece suit which is still very tight so that flexibility wasn’t a factor.

Right armed with my new Titanium knee sliders I headed to some roundabouts and twisty roads and hoped that the rain would hold off.

I played around on the bike for about 20 minutes to "get in the grove" (tm) and to warm my tyres up. You really shouldn’t try to get your knee down if your tyres are cold or you’ll end up getting far more than just your knee down. Before the "serious" action I decided to check to chalk marks, they had disappeared, bugger. The playing around was a little bit more intense than I realised.

I already hear cries of "we haven’t got nice long sweeping bends or big roundabouts where we live" so I found a quiet but tight(ish) roundabout. IMHO, a smaller roundabout is probably better because your speed is lower but you’re leaning more. Before I started I rode around it to check for debris, oil and gravel and anything else that might upset the balance of the bike. When I was certain it was clear I started.

On tight(ish) roundabouts and bends it’s very important not to un-settle your bike by repositioning yourself mid bend. Get your body in the right position before you start. For me the right position for a roundabout is:

• Bum off the seat completely.      
• Left leg gripping the LHS of the tank by my knee      
• The ball of my right foot on the outside of the RHS peg.      
• Head, shoulders and upper body as low as possible.      
• Entire body relaxed.

Before I start to turn in I exhale to help relax. Entry speed is usually between 30-40mph.

1st run.
Tipping into the roundabout in 2nd gear at about I hung off the bike, stuck my knee out and cranked it over with the resulting screeesh.



2nd run.
Same as above but without sticking my knee out so much (simulating a short leg length)....screeeesh

3rd run.
Not hanging off as much but sticking me knee out...no screeeesh. Cranked the bike over more.....screeesh.

4th run.
Tipped the bike in and went around and around with my knee just touching down [2] while keeping the bike stable by throttle and arse control. My aim was to try and see what action(s) would lift my knee.  They were:

a) Speed too high.
b) Speed too low
c) Not hanging off [3]
d) Not keeping the bike cranked over

Conclusion:
I think that taller people would have an advantage but not a lot. Getting your knee down it not related to your physical size, vertically endowed or challenged, fat or thin you can all get your knee down

Obviously the Six Foot plus giants out there could probably get their knee down with the bike vertical. But that’s not the point is it.

In short, it requires balls not bollocks ;o)

The feeling you get when there’s pressure on your knee is fantastic. The bike is at a balance point and your knee can be used for positioning the bike. When I’m on a track I don’t intentionally try to get my knee down [5] in fact getting your knee down is something you try to avoid. I use my knee as a gauge to let me know when I’m approaching the limit.

BTW, I wish it was dark so I could see the sparkies. I might get my SO to take some picture of the sparkies.

[1] I must have put on a few pounds.
[2] Just feeling the road so to speak.
[3] Essential for short arses.
[4] This measurement is taken from just under my nuts, down the inside of my thigh and around the front of my knee.
[5] Unless I’m showing off.