Standing on pegs - technique

[KTMmartin]

I'd love your opinions on what the proper set up is for a person to stand on a bike.

For me, I feel my handlebars are too low so my elbows are almost straight when gripping the seat with my knees, which doesn't feel right hence I sit down most of the time.

Back straight, knees bent? Hunched down, head up?

What works for you?

[phil w]

I guess standing is a must although sometimes more tiring but over rough undulating ground it makes life easier. Bend the knees to allow another form of damping arms should have a bend in them also ( theoretically you dont want the front end taking a big hit and going straight up rigid arms, could pop the shoulder out)
Try bar risers to lift the bars a bit

[Mudwiz]

I spend tons of time standing, even on gentle bends etc, and find it loads less tiring than sitting and taking the bumps. Legs needed be too bent, let the suspesion work, but arms should not be straight - as Phil said, if i'd had mine straight at the last significant injury I'd have to have bungeed my arm to the back of the bike!

Its ok to have a bent back, head over the headstock and arms bent, elbows out as a "base" position, moving about as required by the terrain or conditions.

doG, i miss riding!

.

[KTMmartin]

Originally Posted by phil w

Try bar risers to lift the bars a bit

I think you're right; though it forces me to choose between regular risers and a steering damper that rises about the same.... well it's nearly Christmas

How bent over are we talking? Right now the bars are at the same level as my tackle, when I think they should be around the belt-line. So it feels like i'm peering down at the wheel... normal?

[phil w]

Thats not tooo bad if they are in line with your tackle a rise will help (not in your tackle) it allows weight over the front wheel for stability. I guess peering down at the wheel is about right although as you probably know its better to look at where you want to go, not where you going.

[Mudwiz]

My guess, and thats all it is, is that crotch height bars would be to high. You need to be able to put you bits ontop of the bars when standing.

In this photo I'm further back than the standard position, due to speed, and not half as far back as many!



I'm normally lent forward a bit more.

(just like that photo!)

.

[barftone]

Get those bars raised up first (higher bars or risers). This makes a huge difference to your position when standing. I tend to bend my knees a touch but Geraint Jones (champion enduro rider) uses straight legs and bent arms and lets the suspension take the strain.

[spain]

I got 25mil risers and Dakar high bars from Renthol......but you really need proper footpegs too.Those rubber slip-on things that come as standard tend to twist around once you start shifting your weight from one side to the other.Get some serrated rallye pegs and plant your feet on them...so much more room to move around on and loads more grip.Downside for me was the soles of my boots came away what with all that shifting about.
Rallye footpegs Honda XR 650 R and Honda Africa Twin

Not cheap at over eighty big ones....but make a world of difference.

[dazzerrtw]

There is a time to stand and a time to sit

If you watch the Dakar rider's They spend a lot of time sat down,
it save's energy

You only need to stand up on the technical stuff

[Wigan Chris]

still on the subject of standing up, but this is a question about my hands.
i find 2 fingers on the clutch gives a good balance between clutch control / holding myself up, and feels natural.
however 2 fingers on the front brake somehow doesnt feel as natural (although it should feel the same). how many of you ride stood up with fingers covering the brake? if i dont have fingers on the brake i find it quite difficult to get them there once im stood up.
and whats the accepted wisdom on braking (keep in mind i dont do much offroading) should i be using front or back? (most of my offroading is done in light mud / gravel tracks if that helps, and im on road tyres)