Have you been wondering ‘Why do MotoGP™ riders dangle their leg?’ as you watch the daring athletes in the most exciting sport on earth hurtling towards corners at breathtakingly high speeds?
In this definitive guide to one of the most intriguing MotoGP™ braking techniques, get ready to explore why MotoGP™ riders dangle their leg as they approach corners, revisit the origins of the technique, understand its impact on braking prowess and even break down the physics behind it.
The heroic superhumans on the MotoGP™ grid are the most talented riders on the planet and they employ some very specific and honed techniques to improve their on-track performance, with leg dangling being one of the most noticeable.
We will hear from the riders themselves on the intricacies and purpose of MotoGP™ leg dangling, whilst exploring how it went from being an experimental technique to become a common practice at the elite level of riding in MotoGP™.
What Is Leg Dangling in MotoGP™?
Whenever MotoGP™ riders are on track they can be observed letting their inside leg dangle out, often to the point where the boot on the foot of that leg touches the ground, as they approach certain corners. It is a peculiarity of the typical braking technique used in MotoGP™ as the riders move the respective leg down and away from the bike.
This usually occurs when the riders are braking in a relatively straight line, for example at the end of a start-finish straight, or at other points where they are braking in an upright position approaching the corner. On more flowing or shorter corners, for example at chicanes, the riders tend not to use the technique willingly as there is less time and less stability for them to execute the move effectively.
MotoGP™ riders dangle their leg on both left and right-hand corners. When the riders do this on the left they are removing their left foot from the footpeg as they start braking, having touched the clutch lever to shift gears down in anticipation of the coming corner. The foot is then placed back up onto the footpeg for balance at a certain point of lean angle, as the rider tilts the bike left and downwards into the corner.
When riders dangle a right leg on a right hand turn they may be using the rear foot brake both before and after the dangle. Some MotoGP™ riders don’t use rear foot brakes, some use handlebar mounted rear brakes and some have both rear foot brakes and handlebar mounted brakes.
Whatever their set-up, they can still dangle the right leg. Again, after the dangle the right foot is placed back up onto the footpeg for balance at a certain point of lean angle, as the rider tilts the bike right and downwards into the corner.
Highly experienced former MotoGP™ rider Cal Crutchlow – who made 178 Grand Prix appearances from 2011 to 2023 - explained the technique in detail, acknowledging when he would do it and why.
He told motogp.com in 2019, “So I do put my right foot out and I use a foot operated rear brake, but in the same instance I put the leg back on quite early towards the corner. So initially I might put my leg out, and then I put it on so I can use the rear brake.”
He added, “In the left hand corner it's a lot easier to dangle your leg because you can put it back on in the last second. As you start to reach around 54 degrees lean angle, that's basically when you start to put your leg back on.”
Crutchlow continued, “I think for straight line braking, because you brake that last little bit to be able to decelerate in the smallest distance of time, you're more on the limit. So on the shorter corners or some corners that are maybe a little bit more flowing and you’re not braking as much, you don't put your leg out.”
The Origins of MotoGP™ Leg Dangling
The first widely cited instance of the leg dangle in a MotoGP™ race took place in 2005 at the Spanish Grand Prix, when Valentino Rossi charged up the inside of his rival Sete Gibernau going into the final corner of the last lap.
As the pair took the final turn, Rossi took the inside line, braking late as he dangled his ‘inside’ (left) leg into the left-hand corner. What followed became one of the most talked about moves in MotoGP™ history, with Gibernau running wide and ultimately finishing second, by 8.631s.
Rossi’s pass was successful as ‘The Doctor’ won the race, setting down a marker and going on to win his fifth successive premier class world title later that year. The famous incident led to the move being nicknamed ‘the Doctor's dangle’.
The leg dangle technique was then slowly adopted by Rossi’s competitors and other riders to the point where it has now become completely commonplace in racing. The eye-catching movement can be seen at every Grand Prix in MotoGP™ as well as in Moto2™, Moto3™, WorldSBK and many other series, with even junior riders in the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup doing it.
After the technique became widely used by his rivals, Rossi anecdotally once claimed, “I don’t know why I do it, but I know why other riders do!” Rossi’s actual reasoning for supposedly inventing and then continuing to use the move was that it simply felt right.
Ultimately, riders always look to their rivals and imitate the MotoGP™ riding styles of the very best on track.
Why Do MotoGP™ Riders Dangle Their Leg?
Although Rossi’s first use of the leg wave looked unplanned and improvised it certainly has become the norm.
Riders’ body positioning on their bikes – specifically in cornering – has evolved significantly over the years. Their cornering technique now often involves hanging right off the bike at maximum lean angle to the point where knees, elbows and even shoulders touch the ground through the apex of the corner.
The leg dangle is an accepted and widespread braking technique and there are several theories as to why it might be effective. These include:
- Energy saving for the legs and arms
The assertion is that keeping the leg on the footpeg is more effort than letting it dangle. Likewise the leg dangle is claimed to provide riders with respite from huge braking G-forces, as they adjust their body position to temporarily take some weight off their arms.
- Providing stability and lowering the centre of gravity
Shifting some weight by dangling a leg could help riders balance their bikes when braking and starting to turn.
As the leg dangle moves the centre of gravity further to the inside of the corner, it appears to enable the rider to keep the bike more upright until a later point, keeping more of the tyre in contact with the track surface. This in turn increases braking power and stability.
- Disrupting airflow in a parachute effect
On a straight, when the riders seek speed and maximum acceleration they tuck in and make themselves as compact as possible to improve aerodynamics. In contrast, under braking, the leg dangle is said to increase air resistance as the rider uses the leg and body like a parachute.
Likewise, riders also describe an anchoring to the floor effect as the leg is pulled down towards the ground by airflow.
- Providing a psychological edge
The leg dangle has become a ritual for many riders and they describe simply feeling more effective doing it even if they cannot explain exactly why. Perhaps Rossi’s rivals thought, ‘if one of the best riders of all-time is doing it, then so should I’. Others claim the move may distract or block other opponents as the rider seeks to defend or take a position on cornering.
Does Leg Dangling Actually Improve Performance for MotoGP™ Riders?
On his excellent and informative YouTube channel, former MotoGP™ rider and 2014 WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli underlines what he feels are the benefits of the technique.
He believes it does help riders and gives his views on how it does so, commenting, “The braking position is not a comfortable one. You go all the way to the front, with a massive weight transfer onto your arms. When you dangle your inside leg, many changes happen. The first thing is that you lower your center of gravity and this increases braking stability and braking performance.”
“You're also shifting some weight from the front to the rear. You'll be able to put more weight onto your bum (backside) and more weight onto your outside foot peg, so you'd be a lot more planted, and this also increases the braking stability and the braking efficiency.”
The Frenchman adds, “There's also an aerodynamic advantage. So when we're on the straight, you try to be as streamlined as possible. When you're braking, it's the exact opposite, you want to act like a parachute. That wind that is hitting you is actually pushing you back, taking weight off your arms and helping you cope physically.”
“You're also adding some resistance low down and this is going to act like an anchor. This last point is probably a really marginal gain, but in MotoGP™, every little marginal gain makes a difference, and the riders do not do anything by mistake.”
Crutchlow, meanwhile, believes that reliance on the technique and its effectiveness is related to rider physique, specifically height. “Normally the smaller riders put their leg out more than the taller riders,” he commented. “I think the taller riders have more leverage from their upper body to not have their arms locked out straight in the braking zone, so they don't fall as far forward either.”
“The taller riders can sit back and grab the bike with their legs and be in a comfortable position to decelerate.”
At 170cm (5′7″), Crutchlow was not amongst the tallest MotoGP™ riders. He does believe that dangling a leg is advantageous, “When I put my leg out I think that it's faster than not doing it. I think you're going to do it out of instinct, but when I think about trying to keep my legs on the pegs, I go slower than before. So I think the way that I ride the bike is the fastest possible way I can.”
Controversy and Criticism of Leg Dangling in Grand Prix racing
There are still debates over whether leg dangling provides a real advantage or if it is just a habit that has been adopted by elite riders and copied by others. Some believe it provides no real advantage whilst others claim it may even be dangerous or destabilising.
Not all riders in the modern era have been regular leg danglers. Three-time premier class MotoGP™ World Champion Jorge Lorenzo preferred not to use the technique. Lorenzo was never one to follow the crowd and his distinctive, super smooth riding style did not incorporate the dangling leg wave.
Whilst Lorenzo’s cornering technique was very different to that of his rivals, his refusal to rely on the technique whilst still maintaining incredible corner speed perhaps hints that the leg dangle may not be as provably beneficial as some might claim.
Returning to Crutchlow’s stance, he insists it’s a tool which riders can only use very precisely – even if the leg dangle can look awkward and uncontrolled – otherwise it may be counter-productive.
He stated, “I think that putting your leg out on a MotoGP™ bike can also upset the bike. If you look when the bikes just start to move [on cornering], if you don't have your knees on the tank gripping the bike and being able to have that stability, you have your leg out, it makes it worse. So there's always a fine line to be able to make that bike stay as in a straight line as you can and not upset the bike through what you're doing with the leg.”
Guintoli is convinced the critics of the technique have it wrong. He asserts, “Negative points, I don't think there are any. Probably with the boot suppliers, like your sponsor is going to have to supply you with more boots during the season because they tend to get worn and used. Boots versus tarmac. The tarmac will win, but that's about it, otherwise it's only advantages.”
How Amateur Riders Can Learn from This Technique
Motorcycle enthusiasts watching their MotoGP™ heroes might want to understand or try this technique in track riding.
For inexperienced riders the best advice might be to proceed with caution, as a sudden shift in weight on the bike when trying the leg dangle for the first time could cause a crash.
Certainly on the road, where riders are not racing and corner speed is always less important than corner safety, it’s not a wise idea to start dangling legs off a motorcycle. Distracting a riding buddy with the move on a group ride could also clearly cause distraction.
The last word goes to Guintoli who believes that there are other techniques amateur riders can focus on first to improve their riding and lap times, but that as riders gain experience on track days it might be worth trying.
He concludes, “Does dangling the leg work on normal bikes and can you do it on your track day? The gains are really, really small, marginal gains. I mean you can try it but I don't think you're gonna feel a difference unless you're really on the limit. So unless you all are chasing the lap record on your local track, I really wouldn't bother.”
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