razer's definitions

hanging off

Term used to describe the cornering technique used by motorcycle roadracers in which they position their body to the extreme inside of and below the normal riding position while riding through a curve in the race track at high speed. By hanging off of the motorcycle in this fashion, the rider alters the center of mass of the rider-motorcycle system and in so doing minimizes the lean angle required to negotiate the corner at a given velocity.

The key to cornering a motorcycle is hanging off in the correct manner and to the proper degree.

by razer December 26, 2006

low side

Motorcycle roadracing term used to describe a crash in which the bike is leaned over while cornering and falls down towards the inside (i.e. the low side). A low side usually occurs when front wheel traction is suddenly lost.

The flip side of this (no pun intended) is a high side crash.

Billy lost the front going into Turn 1 and low sided.

by razer December 26, 2006

center of mass

The point in a system of bodies or an extended body at which the mass of the system may be considered to be concentrated and at which external forces may be considered to be applied. Also called barycenter or centroid.

In general, an object with a lower center of mass is more stable. This explains why weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

by razer December 26, 2006

lean angle

Motorcycle roadracing term for the angle between the center plane of the motorcycle and the vertical plane. The more the motorcycle is leaned over, the greater the lean angle. High lean angles are necessary when cornering a motorcycle at high velocity, but too great a lean angle results in loss of traction and often a crash. Riders employ a technique called hanging off in order to alter the rider-motorcycle system's center of mass and thereby minimize the lean angle necessary to negotiate a corner at a given velocity.

Establishing and maintaining the correct amount of lean angle is a balancing act that a motorcycle roadracer must master in order to ride fast.

by razer December 26, 2006

schiavo

The act of willfully and purposefully murdering a human being in a cruel manner and with the assistance and sanction of state authorities. schiavo•ing, schiavo•ed

Through careful planning and cold calculation, Dick managed to schiavo his defenseless, bedridden wife for profit as well as his own convenience.

by razer April 6, 2005

knee pucks

Formed pieces of hard plastic or compressed leather incorporated onto motorcycle roadracing suits to protect the suit leather from damage while cornering. The pucks are attached to the leather suit towards the outside and just below the knee area of each leg, usually with velcro.

Expert motorcycle roadracers must replace their knee pucks quite often.

by razer December 26, 2006

death wish

Term commonly applied to those who engage in activities that significantly raise their risk of severe bodily injury or death.

Base jumpers must have a death wish.

by razer December 26, 2006