Standing up v Sitting down on dirt.

TIJ650

TIJ650

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Know this has probably been debated before, but I’ve been watching a bunch of trail riding videos on YouTube with Tenere 700s, Tuaregs etc and most of the journalists adopt that stupid “meerkat stance” when on smooth gravel trails!!
I’ve been riding off road for years on crossers and trail bikes and virtually never stand up like that unless going over really bumpy terrain and kinda use my legs like shock absorbers. I will squat like a jockey over woopties too. Otherwise I’m sitting down cause have more control steering rear into corners etc. I’ve also done a bunch of steep hill climbing too - and just lean over handlebars to stop front lifting.
For some context, my flying over table top days are over, but still like riding on dirt and gravel trails.
I wasn’t at ABR this year, but did watch videos of twits standing up with hi vis vests. I’ve also seen (mostly GS) riders standing up on the road ffs!! lol
I am genuinely interested in constructive responses - not just the usual “ I’ve always done it that way” bullshit 🤔
 
TIJ650 said:
and kinda use my legs like shock absorbers
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That you shouldn't.


I'm not that skilled offroad, but on slow speed on easy/even loose ground on the GS I might sit for a bit if tired (not on the DRZ as it is uncomfortable :D ) or not bothered.
I do have more control of the bike standing up, quicker to react and/or shift weight.
We're talking about greelaning in this case, not doing 200 meters of gravel through the cafe car park.
 
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TIJ650 said:
Know this has probably been debated before, but I’ve been watching a bunch of trail riding videos on YouTube with Tenere 700s, Tuaregs etc and most of the journalists adopt that stupid “meerkat stance” when on smooth gravel trails!!
I’ve been riding off road for years on crossers and trail bikes and virtually never stand up like that unless going over really bumpy terrain and kinda use my legs like shock absorbers. I will squat like a jockey over woopties too. Otherwise I’m sitting down cause have more control steering rear into corners etc. I’ve also done a bunch of steep hill climbing too - and just lean over handlebars to stop front lifting.
For some context, my flying over table top days are over, but still like riding on dirt and gravel trails.
I wasn’t at ABR this year, but did watch videos of twits standing up with hi vis vests. I’ve also seen (mostly GS) riders standing up on the road ffs!! lol
I am genuinely interested in constructive responses - not just the usual “ I’ve always done it that way” bullshit 🤔
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I agree, you only need to stand up when the going is rough, and of course on the road occasionally to avoid a numb backside.
 
Again, I'm not super skilled off road, but I've always been instructed (courses, etc.) not to "bounce" on the legs. I actually used to do that in the beginning, don't do it nowadays and find it better for control.
 
many years ago in my enduro days I rode mostly sitting down as that was the way most of my contemporaries did it. Looking back now, I think the quick guys rode stood up.

Getting back into green laning 5 years or so ago I find that style is largely frowned upon. I've been relearning to ride and find stood up is much easier/better once you get used to it. I still sit down in some scary bits as even though I know it's better stood up, my body is saying it wants a shorter journey to the ground before it hits it.
 
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Exactly the same here.
When sitting down on the scary bits I am also full aware that I'll get more of those short journey to the ground compared to standing up... but can't help it :D
 
I've always stood up when trail riding the nadgery, rutted stuff as I find it easier to control the bike and can look further down the trail. It's also a lot easier to jump off a moving motorcycle when not sat down bnige

For higher speeds I always sit down ... natch :D:D
 
Ruts are virtually impossible when sat down.

I'm always stood up at speed. Much better when the unexpected occurs.
 
TIJ650 said:
Know this has probably been debated before, but I’ve been watching a bunch of trail riding videos on YouTube with Tenere 700s, Tuaregs etc and most of the journalists adopt that stupid “meerkat stance” when on smooth gravel trails!!
I’ve been riding off road for years on crossers and trail bikes and virtually never stand up like that unless going over really bumpy terrain and kinda use my legs like shock absorbers. I will squat like a jockey over woopties too. Otherwise I’m sitting down cause have more control steering rear into corners etc. I’ve also done a bunch of steep hill climbing too - and just lean over handlebars to stop front lifting.
For some context, my flying over table top days are over, but still like riding on dirt and gravel trails.
I wasn’t at ABR this year, but did watch videos of twits standing up with hi vis vests. I’ve also seen (mostly GS) riders standing up on the road ffs!! lol
I am genuinely interested in constructive responses - not just the usual “ I’ve always done it that way” bullshit 🤔
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I was in the carpark at ladybower cafe when 2 Gs rider's road in stood on the pegs; the only thing i thought was; don't come and park next to me; they looked compleate fuckin dorks. :D
 
I’ve been trail riding for a long time but never really done any off road racing not not really interested in going fast or jumping (apart from the odd fallen tree). When riding in the UK back in the eighties with my locl TRF group, we all rode sitting down most of the time, maybe standing up on the long straight bits to get the blood flowing a bit.

I’ve continued to ride mainly sitting down but in recent years have always been amused especially when riding with the new breed of 1200cc adventure bike riders who always stand bolt upright from the instant they move off whether it’s a tarmac carpark or a rutted track. I completely understand the need to stand up with your knees slightly bent when travelling at 100mph in the Sahara but that is not likely to be me in the same way that I’ve never needed knee sliders when riding on the road.
 
I’ve never actually done any “green laining” as such. In the UK I’ve only used old quarries, forests or actual motocross tracks. In the States though, I’ve travelled most of Northern Arizona and some Colorado/ Utah. All on an XR600 thumper and seldom stood up…….and never bolt straight as previously described! Lol
 
cookie said:
many years ago in my enduro days I rode mostly sitting down as that was the way most of my contemporaries did it. Looking back now, I think the quick guys rode stood up.

Getting back into green laning 5 years or so ago I find that style is largely frowned upon. I've been relearning to ride and find stood up is much easier/better once you get used to it. I still sit down in some scary bits as even though I know it's better stood up, my body is saying it wants a shorter journey to the ground before it hits it.
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Back in the day
 
I rode trial bikes before having a road bike, stood up is as natural as sitting down but you have a lot more control of your bike stood up as your weight can be transferred through the foot pegs for greater balance.
Off road, being able to stand is very important, the worst offenders are the dick danglers where they hover somewhere in between, go on any off road course like the BMW one with Si Pavey and you will be shown the advantages.
 
snelly said:
I've stood on the pegs on my ZZR on the motoway before to allow the Mrs to punch some circulation back into the cheeks of my arse whilst riding; ( and it works).:D
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That makes for a funny scene :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
There's a Muppet round my way who is always standing when I see him on the roads. Maybe just got bad piles 😄
 
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