Everybody has conflicting opinions, and even at relatively high levels (expert club racers, AMA racers) people will tell you things that are completely in contradiction with the current standards. I have a friend who races who always used to tell me “stick your dick in the tank” (not the most tactful fellow). This is not right at all as it causes you to pivot your hips around the tank when you hang off, leading to “crossed up” body position (where your body is actually facing the wrong way). Yet he’s an expert club racer and pulls MUCH faster times around our local circuits than I do. Probably has something to do with those big ones he carts around
Keith Code is a very successful riding coach, but I find he isn’t the best with words. While he has all the right things to say, he often doesn’t say them very well, leaving you confused. His European disciple, Andy Ibbott, on the other hand, is very clear and concise in his explanations. He runs all of the California Superbike School locations in Europe, and was featured on the UK TV show “Superbike School.” The series itself was actually a waste of time after watching the little teasers on YouTube. All the good info is there. Here’s one on proper body positioning and moving around the bike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt9lB-LErQ4
If you’re interested in a layman’s introduction to high-performance riding, including an introduction to the world of racing, this book is fantastic. Great explanations, and lots of awesome and huge color photos. I have the first edition, but an updated second edition is available for pre-order:
Oh, and on the note of “big ones,” one of the funniest things I’ve seen on a forum was over at gsxr.com (a WHOLLY different experience from this lovely establishment…can you say overpopulation of squiddly squid?):
Guy #1 (paraphrased): Hay guyz mai lap times iz slow but I wanna get super fast!!!1 K THX BYE
Guy #2: So what you’re going to want to do is head over to Home Depot and pick yourself up a nice pair of man hands and a sack o’ nuts. Should take care of that for you.