TARMAGO

Technique • Motorcycles on track

Body position on the motorcycle

Stay available at the controls, rather than posing for a knee-down photograph.

Understanding the technique

Body position covers your support points, upper body and movement across the seat. Moving your body towards the inside of a corner can reduce the motorcycle’s lean angle at the same speed and radius. This principle does not require everyone to use the same amount of movement or copy a photograph.[3]

A textbook position, not a target to reach

This is a textbook reference intended to make your position more effective. It is not a target to reach or a posture to force. Adapt it to your body shape and motorcycle, keeping access to the controls and a useful view of the track.

On the straight

Tuck your elbows in and bring your chin against the tank, tucked behind the screen. This is the textbook reference: do not reproduce it at the expense of visibility or comfortable control inputs.

In the corner

Shift half your backside off the seat, towards the inside of the corner. Bring your chin level with your inside hand and move your upper body towards the inside. The arm opposite the turn, your outside arm, comes down and rests on the tank. Adapt this reference to your body shape and motorcycle without forcing the posture.

Try it while stationary

Try these positions while stationary with the engine off and a friend holding the motorcycle upright, or with the motorcycle on paddock stands. Check that it remains stable before moving your body. Take time to feel your support points and check access to the controls, without trying to move further.

Why it matters on track

Pulling on the handlebars while moving can disturb the motorcycle. Position work is therefore also about the quality of transitions: moving smoothly while keeping access to the controls. Foot placement depends in part on the motorcycle’s ergonomics.[3]

Mistakes to avoid

Trying to touch a knee down before understanding your support points; moving your whole body abruptly; hanging from the handlebars when changing sides: these are points to watch for. Do not measure your ability by slider wear. A spectacular position does not validate your line.[3]

Building it progressively

After the stationary practice, choose a corner where you feel comfortable. In your group, work on a small, gradual movement without seeking more lean angle or putting yourself in danger. Always keep a margin. If the movement makes you lose your references or tense up at the controls, stop the exercise and review it in the paddock. Keep your hands on the bars: this guide does not suggest a hands-off test.

What you can check with Tarmago

Use the circuit notes to record your observations about your support points. Lap times do not validate posture. Use the SAG calculator to record suspension measurements following its method; it does not diagnose poor body position or replace your motorcycle’s manual or a professional for setup.

In our telemetry tools, lap analysis shows lap-by-lap times, gaps, splits with the best highlighted in red and a GPS-speed-coloured trace. Add your observations to the circuit notes, corner by corner. Review this information in the paddock, never as a distraction on track. GPS measurements do not show your gaze, brake-lever pressure or throttle opening.

Detailed analysis in our telemetry tools (speed curve, ideal lap and lap comparison) is part of the paid Tarmago+ plan.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to get my knee down to improve?

Do not make it the goal. Prioritise comfortable support, access to the controls and smooth movements. The textbook position is a reference to adapt, not a target. A knee slider touching down is not enough to judge riding quality.

Can I copy another rider’s position?

An image does not show the whole movement. Use the textbook position as a reference, without forcing it: adapt it to your body shape and motorcycle. First try it while stationary, engine off, with a friend holding the motorcycle upright or with it on paddock stands.

Technical references

These references support principles, not universal instructions for your motorcycle. The practice suggestions and textbook position are Tarmago editorial guidance, separate from the sourced passages. Adapt them to your situation, progressing at a pace that preserves your margin. Your organiser’s rules take precedence over those of the schools cited.