MotoGP riders putting their leg out when entering a turn is one of the most iconic sights in motorcycle racing. The reasons behind this technique are nuanced and have evolved over time as tires, rider positioning, and bike engineering have advanced.
History of the Technique
Extending a leg out when cornering first became popular in the 1950s as Grand Prix motorcycle racing was in its infancy. Back then, riders sat upright on their bikes, similar to a standard road bike. With this upright posture, sticking a leg out helped them balance the bike when cornering at high speeds. It also acted as an air brake, slowing the bike slightly before tipping it into a turn.
As racing evolved in the 1960s, riders started adopting a more tucked, aggressive posture that shifted their weight forward and lowered their center of gravity. This made the bikes more stable so the leg was no longer needed for balancing. However, top racers continued the practice as they found it still helped stabilize the bike and provided subtle control in turns. It became part of racing culture and an iconic gesture of attacking a corner.
Modern Function
Today’s MotoGP riders have refined the technique and use it for the following primary functions:
1. Weight Transfer
Sticking their leg out shifts the rider’s weight to the outside of the turn. This presses the tire down harder, increasing grip and stability through the corner. The protruding leg acts as a counterweight, facilitating quick changes of direction at extreme lean angles.
2. Feeling Grip and Traction
The leg skimming the track surface gives riders detailed feedback on available grip and track conditions. Racers can feel if the tarmac is providing good traction or is slippery. This helps them modulate throttle control, braking, and lean angle through the corner.
3. Aerodynamics
At high speeds, the extended leg provides a slight aerodynamic benefit, similar to a rudder on a ship. It stabilizes the bike in crosswinds and during direction changes.
4. Blocking Passing Lines
In races, the leg can tactically block passing lines, preventing a closely following rider from safely overtaking on the inside of a corner.
When and How Riders Extend Their Leg
Riders do not stick their leg out through every turn. Here are insights on when and how they utilize the technique:
High Speed Corners
The leg is primarily extended on high speed corners where its stabilizing effects are most valuable. On tighter turns at lower speeds, riders keep both feet on the pegs.
Inside Leg
The inside leg is always used – the one on the side the bike is leaning towards. This leg is further away from the road surface, allowing for greater extension to generate counterweight and aerodynamic effects.
Distance From Corner Entry
Riders stick their leg out before turn-in, anywhere from 10 meters to over 100 meters away depending on corner angle and speed. The faster they enter a corner, the earlier they will extend the leg.
Knee Sliding
As lean angle increases, the knee will eventually contact the track, beginning to slide. The knee puck softens this contact, allowing smooth sliding at extreme angles. Racers try to match the bike’s lean angle precisely with knee position to maximize control.
Leg Retraction
As the rider picks the bike up and exits the corner, they retract their leg and square up ready for hard acceleration down the next straight.
Rider Preferences and Techniques
While all riders utilize leg extension, they each have some unique quirks and preferences, as revealed through slow motion analysis. These include:
| Rider | Leg Extension Style |
|---|---|
| Marc Marquez | Extends his knee wide first before pointing his toe down closer to the apex. |
| Valentino Rossi | Protrudes his leg very straight, getting it as low as possible to the tarmac. |
| Cal Crutchlow | Lightly drags his foot first before lifting his leg into full extension. |
| Andrea Dovizioso | Delays extension until very late compared to other riders. |
Some riders are also known to vary leg extension according to lean angle. For example, when at maximum lean of 60+ degrees, riders like Marquez bring their knee in very close to the bike to maintain balance at the extreme angle.
Minimum Speed Required
Due to aerodynamic forces, riders typically only extend their leg at minimum speeds of:
- 125cc bikes: 90 km/h (55 mph)
- Moto3 bikes: 110 km/h (70 mph)
- Moto2 bikes: 130 km/h (80 mph)
- MotoGP bikes: 150 km/h (95 mph)
Below these speeds, there is insufficient air pushing against the leg to generate meaningful downforce and stability effects.
Leg Retraction Difficulties
One difficulty riders face is the actual retraction of their leg back onto the peg as they exit a turn. The leg can get caught in the airstream or collide with the tarmac, risking a crash. Retracting too early reduces stability too soon through the corner. This skill is something all racers have to master.
Potential Risks
Extending a leg does involve some potential downsides and risks including:
- Leg injuries from collisions
- Abrasions from frequent contact with the track surface
- Less stability if the leg interferes with handlebar control
- Difficulty retracting leg, especially at high speeds
- Aerodynamic interference between leg and bike fairings
However, racers become experts at utilizing the technique safely through extensive training and practice. Serious injuries from leg extension remain extremely rare in elite racing.
Use By Amateur Riders
Many amateurs attempt to copy professional riders and stick their leg out when riding. However, there are some important factors to consider for novice riders:
- The technique should only be learned on a closed track under expert supervision.
- Extending a leg on public roads is unsafe and usually illegal.
- Less experienced riders should focus on line selection and vision through corners.
- Beginners lack the knee slider equipment and skills to extend their leg safely.
- Slower speeds generate much less stability from leg extension.
For amateurs, it is recommended to keep both feet firmly on the pegs and master basic cornering skills first before attempting any leg extension.
Evolving Riding Styles
While leg extension remains popular in racing, some modern riders are showing it may not always be essential. Casey Stoner was known for his minimal use of leg dangle, instead relying on smoother steering inputs and engine braking. New generation riders like Fabio Quartararo extend their leg far less than previous racers too.
As tire technology, rider aids, and understanding of cornering physics improves further, straightening the bike more upright before turning may become a more common technique. This reduces the side forces needing to be balanced. However, dramatic leg extension remains an iconic hallmark of racing for now.
Conclusion
In conclusion, extending a leg when cornering began as a necessary balancing aid but is now more about feeling traction, facilitating weight transfer, and providing aerodynamic stability. Elite racers use the technique with immense precision and skill, retracting at exactly the right moment as they exit a turn. While thrilling to watch, novices should avoid emulating this style until they reach a much higher skill level. As bikes and racing continue to evolve, leg extension may gradually decline in use, but it remains a core control method for today’s top riders when pushing to the absolute limit.