With his knee and elbow skimming the asphalt, HONOS Superbike rider Mathew Scholtz applies maximum lean angle while hustling his Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 through a corner. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

In 1998, German author Bernt Spiegel wrote a best-selling book called The Upper Half of the Motorcycle. Originally written in German with multiple editions and printings to its credit, it was so popular that it was translated into English in order to make its message available to a wider audience.

According to author Spiegel, while a motorcycle is an extension of the rider, leaning over more than 20 degrees is an unnatural act that must be learned in order to go fast.

Spiegel presented a metaphor that a motorcycle and its rider are a single unit, and the rider is the upper half of that unit. He then used elements of anthropology, psychology, biology, physics, and other disciplines to analyze the theory and function of the motorcycle/rider single unit.

Operating a motorcycle is a junction where people become so adept at riding that the machine becomes an extension of themselves. Therefore, the ultimate goal for motorcycle racers is the complete integration of the human/machine interface and subsequent skill development to the point of absolute perfection.

When riding a motorcycle at speeds greater than about 15 miles per hour, leaning the motorcycle over in the direction of the turn is a critical maneuver. But, if the very act of turning a motorcycle by leaning it over is so simple, why do we have a natural tendency to resist leaning?

According to Spiegel’s book, throughout human beings’ two-legged existence, we have developed an internal mechanism that allows us to lean a motorcycle over, but only up to a certain point. That point, Spiegel claims, is found throughout nature, and it is 20 degrees of lean. Whether it’s a baseball player running around the bases; a football running back or basketball point guard making a quick cut towards the goal; a cyclist swiftly turning a corner; or a polo player, jockey, or rodeo barrel racer rounding a barrel, the angle of lean is always right around 20 degrees.

How low can you go? For modern MotoGP bike and riders, it’s 65 degrees, which is a full 45 degrees past the 20 degrees that human beings are naturally comfortable with. Photo courtesy of MotoGP.

For motorcycle road racers, however, the angle of lean is much greater than 20 degrees. In fact, MotoGP bikes–which have the most ground clearance and use tires with the most grip on the world’s smoothest racetracks–produce 65 degrees of lean angle. That’s a full 45 degrees of additional lean beyond the 20 degrees at which human beings are comfortable leaning in turns.

So, why is maximum lean angle important in motorcycle road racing? The answer is simple: it unlocks maximum speed potential. The farther you can lean a road racing motorcycle over, the higher the corner speed you can achieve. And, in a general sense, the higher your corner speed, the faster your lap times.

But even MotoGP racers don’t ride around corners at the exact same lean angle every time, with their bikes’ hard parts always the same precise distance from the track’s surface. As their speeds change from corner to corner, and depending on whatever situation they’re in, so will their lean angle.

Maximum lean angle is something than can be learned at a very young age, but it takes lots of practice. Photo by Brian j. Nelson.

One thing that’s universal, whether it’s MotoGP, World Superbike, or our own MotoAmerica road racers competing in the Mini Cup by Motul or SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup, Twins Cup or Supersport, Stock 1000 or HONOS Superbike, or even the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship, lean angle is the key to winning, and it’s all a matter of degrees.

To purchase tickets for all MotoAmerica events, click HERE

For information on how to watch the MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

For the full 2022 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE

+ posts

This Post Has 74 Comments

  1. custom window blinds

    Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog
    loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my
    end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

  2. toto slot

    Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  3. industrial tools

    Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this site, and article is in fact fruitful in support of
    me, keep up posting these posts.

  4. หีเด้ง

    I’ve read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website.

  5. xxx

    I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the superb operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…

  6. There are some attention-grabbing deadlines on this article but I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively

  7. rateio concurso pm pr soldado

    Well I sincerely liked studying it. This post offered by you is very constructive for correct planning.

  8. ลิปติดทน

    I like the valuable info you provide for your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here frequently. I am relatively sure I will be told many new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the following!

  9. hptoto

    My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  10. satire index

    If satire had a sound, it’d be a rimshot echoing in Congress.

  11. ultimate satire guide

    It has more footnotes than Shakespeare and less shame than TikTok.

  12. humor encyclopedia

    Bought it on eBay, seller warned: ‘May cause enlightenment or indigestion.’

  13. satire fundamentals

    According to this book, marriage is just long-form slapstick.

  14. satire studies

    Apparently, sarcasm is the official currency of 2025.

  15. satire timeline

    Satirical journalism is like karaoke with subpoenas.

  16. ลิปติดทน

    Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say you have done a superb job with this. Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Safari. Superb Blog!

  17. https://psihologpascani.ro/

    consiliere psihologica Pascani

  18. https://tinyurl.com/yt83ggsk

    I’ve read several good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.

    I wonder how a lot attempt you place to make the sort
    of excellent informative website. https://tinyurl.com/yvodnsan eharmony
    special coupon code 2025

  19. singapore business

    Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a
    really well written article. I will be sure to bookmark
    it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post.
    I will definitely comeback.

  20. น้ำหอม

    I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

  21. น้ำหอม

    Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2

  22. rateio trf 4a regiao

    I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100 positive. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

  23. rateio curso trf 4a regiao

    Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favourite reason seemed to be on the web the easiest factor to understand of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as folks consider concerns that they plainly don’t realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as well as outlined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks

  24. rateio concurso pc ce oficial

    I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts

  25. กันแดด

    You made various good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will have the same opinion with your blog.

  26. Best SEO Backlinks

    Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing
    a blog article or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot
    of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from
    each other. If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Terriic blog by the way!

  27. rateio concurso oab 2a fase

    Excellent post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thanks!

  28. pestoto

    Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the internet. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)

  29. koh lim audit

    Yes! Finally someone writes about koh lim audit.

  30. pestoto login

    What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its aided me. Great job.

  31. pink salt recipe

    The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.

  32. pink salt trick recipe

    The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.

  33. pestoto login

    You have noted very interesting points! ps decent website .

  34. https://tinyurl.com/ypubsnjg

    Hi there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
    but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where
    to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Appreciate it https://tinyurl.com/yvodnsan eharmony special coupon code 2025

  35. pestoto daftar

    Awsome website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also.

  36. I was curious if you ever considered changing the
    structure of your site? Its very well written;
    I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.

    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one
    or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  37. petrobras enfase 9

    Needed to draft you one very small note to be able to say thanks the moment again for your fantastic concepts you’ve shown above. It is quite pretty open-handed of you to give easily precisely what a lot of folks might have offered for an ebook in making some cash for their own end, particularly now that you could have tried it in the event you desired. The creative ideas likewise worked like the great way to comprehend the rest have the identical desire just like mine to understand a great deal more pertaining to this matter. I think there are lots of more pleasant times ahead for individuals that scan through your site.

  38. pink salt trick

    The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.

  39. pink salt trick

    The Pink Salt Trick is a minimalist but effective morning routine: Just drink a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt as soon as you wake up.

Leave a Reply