twist throttle when i don't want to when standing up, help!!

[spinner]

Hey all, I am new to the website and to motocross bikes. i have had bmx bikes and snowmobiles so i have some skill to help with. i bought an 89 kx 250 for my first bike. i know i know! anyway, i am doing pretty well on the bike, but when i stand and start riding in bumps and hills, my body gets thrown back which makes me twist the throttle and get thrown back even more, or right off the bike!( only once) is there a technique i am missing when standing? i try to stay over the bars with my elbows out and my wrists straight in line with my arms. problem is when i twist the throttle, i have to hang on the bars and then i twist the throttle more. maybe i need to keep my wrist more sturdy? more forward on the bike maybe so my body doesn't get thrown back? any tips would be great!! thanks!

[crfjedi393]

From what I'm reading, it's just a matter of practice. Make sure you keep your knees bent. With time you will be able to keep your body position far enough forward that you won't have a problem when you accelerate. Of course, there will be the occasional "Oh Crap!" moment but for the most part, I think you just need seat time. Or "peg" time as I like to call it. Standing up as much as possible usually produces a better rider.

[Keetoman393]

I agree with Jedi. Practice will cure that as well as proper body position. Pretty soon you won't even have to think about it.

[spinner]

ok, so elbows out, squeeze the tank with knees, knees bent, head over the bars, and wrists straight inline with fore arms? i have been standing only occasionally and have been riding fairly smooth straight trails up until today, when we went to a makeshift track with tight turns bumps and small hills when i realized i am not such a good rider yet the bike is so fast,for me at least, that it took me some riding sitting down to get the feel for it, i will ride standing as much as i can now, getting thrown back really is not fun i will practice! thanks again! oh, is it bad to not cover the brake or clutch with 1 or 2 fingers? it seems more uncomfortable, but i think it is probably the right way to ride?

[ktm_cody_199]

Keep at least 2 fingers on the clutch lever,the front brake is more for entering fast turns where your back isnt good enough to slow you down.Stay in the attack position (what jedi said) with your elbows up gripping with your knees and legs.Jedi didnt mention that you need to loosen up on the bars to,a firm grip will give you really bad arm pump and ruin your day.So,elbows up,lean slightly forward with your head right above the bars,grip with knees and legs,and loosen up on the bars. If you are having trouble keeping your fingers on your levers then loosen up the clamps wit bike on stand and stand where you would riding.Then rotate your clamps down to where you like your levers and tighen em up,after a while from falling and vibrations your clamps may move, I check mine before every ride and adjust if needed,I also use teflon coated plastic under my clamps so mine move a little more then others,saves levers though

[ktm_cody_199]

Here is an excelent link that will help you butt loads:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

He also mentions something critical that we all forgot,ride on the balls of your feet (toes) this will help obsorb shock and build up your calves.

[char393]

I agree with all that's been said, for the most part. I don't do the two finger clutch thing, just one finger for me, just more comfortable that way.

[KKXR400R]

Originally Posted by spinner

ok, so elbows out, squeeze the tank with knees, knees bent, head over the bars, and wrists straight inline with fore arms? i have been standing only occasionally and have been riding fairly smooth straight trails up until today, when we went to a makeshift track with tight turns bumps and small hills when i realized i am not such a good rider yet the bike is so fast,for me at least, that it took me some riding sitting down to get the feel for it, i will ride standing as much as i can now, getting thrown back really is not fun i will practice! thanks again! oh, is it bad to not cover the brake or clutch with 1 or 2 fingers? it seems more uncomfortable, but i think it is probably the right way to ride?

I like this one. One more thing to add. when your twisting the throttle, pretend your turning a door knob..... straight out of Destry Abbotts mouth.It feels a little strange but it really helped in relaxing my hands...

-Kevin-

[char393]

I don't get the doorknob analogy?

Explain Kev?

[KKXR400R]

When I first started riding I used to grip with all 4 fingers on the top of the grip. My hands used to lock up and go completely knumb....to the point where I could barely hold on. Tracy told me to turn the throttle like a door knob. So I walked over to a door knob scratching my head and turned it. you don't use your whole hand to turn a door knob. Usually its your index finger, middle finger and thumb. For a year I thought she was nuts. At 100's national last year we were talking to Destry and I asked him very unwillingly about how he grips the throttle...he quickly replied "like a door knob. this also helps you from dropping your elbows ". I got the whole "told ya so" from the wife...after that I have been using this type of grip and I have noticed my hands hold up alot better. Also, watch Mcgrath grip his bike. It looks like he's barely gripping the bars. Alot of that is from gripping with your knees also.

[ktm_cody_199]

I make like a little "cup" around the grip with my pointer,middle fingers and thumb and my other fingers just kind of lay loose,I barely hold onto my bars at all its just something that comes from seat time and many rides with reeaallyy bad arm pump.

[spinner]

thanks for all the tips. i will try the door knob thing. i was holding on lightly, but i almost flew off the back, so then i had a death grip for a while, i think i was standing on my arches and probably did not have my elbows out, so, can't wait to get out again! part of the problem is trying to learn on this bike, my wifes smaller bike i have no trouble with, it is making me learn fast though

[deuceshigh7]

a friend just told me a cool trick to gauge how hard your supposed to grip the tank with ur knees.... put the bike on a stand and the let go of the bars, lean back and squat like 3-4 inches above the back of the seat and hover there... only letting your knee pressure hold u up... thats i how hard ur supposed to be holding on to the tank at all times....
-nic

[spinner]

that is really helpfull, only have your butt 3 to 4 inches off the seat? i think i was standing almost straight up, with knees only bent very slightly.....