i was watching last yr's GP recap on the airplane today, and i saw almost everyone of them will take their inner foot off the peg right before the turn, what was that for? just to relax the leg? re-position the foot better? also i always hear about peg steering and put pressure on the outer peg - how helpful is that? i tried it a couple of times on track days but didn't find it's easy to do. i saw some rider's outer foot is barely touching the peg in the turn.
I think Rossi started taking his foot of the peg(s) and then everyone followed. Supposedly they do it to stretch their legs and reposition their feet once they've finishing downshifting.
There are a million theories. Truth is the riders themselves cant/wont even say why. My theory is counter balance. Contrary to what most people think, in MX they dont stick the foot out to hold themselves up. It is a counter balance. Sort of like the pole a tight rope walker holds on to. It can be used to hold you up, but that is not its primary function. Notice even a child riding a bicycle if they try to do a "brake slide" will typically take their inside foot off for balance. It is instinctual almost.
when braking harder than normal, while moving leg from just downshifting (up in gp style), it is used to help initiate tip in while still on the brakes. kind of like how you use your arms when you are balancing on the train tracks. it's one of those...oh shit....i'm not gonna make it.....gotta get over there.....stick leg out and shift weight to get going that way....ahhhhhh....made it.
Stables the bike during braking per Rossi......Of course all others started to follow.... I like to be different and use the other leg.. Its great to punt those people on the outside off the track!! :shock:
I noticed that this year there were some NOT doing it that tried it last year. Guess it just isnt the right thing for every body. Get a kick out of some of the guys I have seen in Novice doing it on race day! Jkae often picks his foot up off the peg to reposition, but I have never seen him "dangle" LOL
I'll be dangling his little ass off the trailer roof by his ankles this weekend if he dosent behave! See you there Tryce..
I've done it occassionally by accident when I'm hanging off early & my outside leg is too short to reach the peg. :lol:
Brian Van does it all the time, I thought he was trying to kick me at Barber when I was passing him.....