Get a Grip

This is a hand.
You probably have at least one, yourself.



When you enjoy riding a motorcycle for sport, whether it be on or off the road, you know that you're not just sitting there on the seat like a sack of potatoes.
You're moving all around on the bike, often working up a sweat.
Over the years, parts of our bikes have had subtle design changes to make moving around on the bike easier.
Frame guards, something that got popular when Jean Michele Bayle started using them on his factory Honda supercross bike around 1991, were added to help his boot smoothly slide forward and backward without catching on anything.
Your shiny new grips have been changed to accommodate this, too.
How?
Look and learn, Buckwheat.



Everyone just loves new grips.
That includes you.



Compared to grips from the Stone Age, the top side where your palm touches it is made smoother than it used to be, especially at the outside edge.
At this part of the grip, there used to be quite a raised rib.
Not any more.
This is to allow easier movement of the palm of your hand while you're gettin' it on while riding your bike, and this means it's easier to place your hand in a position that feels natural, comfortable, and gives you the best feel for control.
It's often all about feel on your bike, ain't it?




Hand meets grip.
A match made in heaven.



This is how I've always positioned my hands on the grips.
I first saw this being demonstrated back when David Bailey was often giving riding tips in the motocross magazines.
Go and Google some images for "David Bailey motocross" and you'll see what I mean.
This guy always made it a point to have your body positioned correctly on the bike, and this starts with the points on the bike where you touch it.
He said that rotating your hands so your palms are at the outer edge was the hot ticket.
I tried it, and I liked it.
I liked it because it made sense, looked right, and felt like the obvious thing to do if you want to be fast.
Holding onto the grips the old-fashioned way draws your elbows inward toward you in an awkward manner, something that Bailey said was a big no-no.
I agreed, and still use this technique to this day.

What you all think about that?

Off to jerk...I mean work.
Being Saturday, I'll probably post more stuff later tonight.

-John