[Matt]

This was posted on ADVrider.

The rider was out on 33 in West Virginia (I think) when he gets passed by a ZX-10R and a KTM 690SM (Supermoto). That’s when the fun starts.

For reference the KTM makes 65hp, 48lbs of torque, and has a dry weight of 335lbs (a mere 5 pounds more than a ninja 250, with three times to torque!). This is not a beginner bike. It is a beast. Just watch it pull away in the straights. But then, even more impressively, pay attention to how late (and little) the ninja brakes, and how leaned over he gets.

The KTM rider is not great, he crosses the yellow line more than once, but some people on the youtube thread are commenting about his sticking his foot out – sticking your foot out is common dirtbike / supermoto technique. It is all about weight transfering. So yea, he’s not a great rider, but not because he keeps taking his feet off the pegs.

And without further ado, on with the show:

[acidpope]

Double yellow in my state means no passing. Wait, it means that in every state. Every turn I was just waiting for the KTM guy to get plowed by oncoming traffic with him riding the line and going over it so much. Other than that it was a nice video of a nice road and it looks like the 250 would be alot of fun on it.

[megaspaz]

Passing a huge ass truck right before a blind turn… not smart… and over a double yellow to boot…. >.< —
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[eon]

I have seen this video before but it was interesting to watch it again after stuffing my head with all the MSF/ David Hough information. Now, (bearing in mind I have still to ride the streets and therefore my opinion is worth precisely nothing), it appears to me both riders looked terrible. It looks like the Ninja is not hitting any apexes (never mind delayed apexes). It looks like it follows the inside of the corner all the way round. This might be the camera angle giving a false impression but I don’t think so.
Also, dirtbike riders may stick their feet out but they also slide the back wheel around corners. If sticking your foot out was a good technique why have I never seen V. Rossi doing it?

Just my $0.00

[Matt]

Rossi doesn’t stick his foot out because his bike is setup so his foot is high and back, hard to get it off the peg and straight in front of you. Sticking your leg out is about best using your available weight transfer. It lets someone on an upright bike move their centre of gravity off the bike and low. If he just crouched and hung off the seat (MotoGP style) his centre of gravity would be higher.

And as for defending the SM rider’s skill, I’m not. I’m just saying the technique is a valid one.

I don’t think anyone would say the Ninja rider is a MotoGP star either. But I’m not really in a position to critique his riding. Yes, following the inside line cuts visibility, but it gives you space with the oncoming traffic (I know when I’m leaning I much prefer to be as far away from that yellow line as possible).

For me, the point of the video was simple: It shows that in real world riding, a Ninja 250 can play with the bigger bikes and does not need to be treated as an “underpowered toy”.

—
The problem with the internet: Everyone gets the same font size.

[ShannonG]

That’s a gorgeous road. My Hwy 33 looks just like that. Only insert deer every three miles.

[Author]

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