Those are some great action shots, solo 2. However, if I can issue a word or more of caution to those who might be doing such on the street, I have some "technical" concerns with what is shown. Now, this might get a bit too "technical" for some - so just skip the rest but remember not to try what is shown.
First of all, cornering on a two-wheeled motorcycle involves a lot of physics where competing forces are balanced in a way can that make for a lot of fun. The centrifugal forces generated by the turn are attempting to throw the machine and rider off the outside of the corner. A leaning into the inside of the corner counteracts this centrifugal force by having gravity pull against it, keeping everything in balance. The faster the corner is negotiated and/or the sharper the turn, the more centrifugal force that is generated. To balance this, more gravity force needs to be generated usually generated with more lean. But, the forces generated by a lean are directly influenced by the amount of mass that is overhanging the centre of gravity - more mass generates more force which equates to less lean required, and less mass generates less force which requires more lean. The "lean" of a motorcycle is held-up by the contact of the tires on the road (which ideally should have a round profile to allow them to roll with the lean), but in the execution of a turn they are subjected to side-forces which could cause them to lose traction. Also, with an extreme lean of the motorcycle, if any other parts come in contact with the road (i.e. likely causing sparks) then the tires could be "levered" up off the road which would reduce their grip and more increase their likelihood to slide. In a turn, if one's body is not kept out as one with the motorcycle but instead is positioned upright to the turn as shown in the third photo, then the motorcycle itself is forced to lean more in order to balance the centrifugal forces. That is not good! That will be more likely to generate sparks. That will also generate more side-forces on the tires. All that is not safe. (But it looks neat and I'll bet it was fun!)
HondanutRider;
Thanks for the public safety bulletin.
Getting a motorcycle to stay upright may be a challenge for some beginners, but a knowledgeable and experienced rider will tell you that if everything is in good working order, it is perfectly safe to lean a motorcycle over to the limits of the tires tread pattern if the brake lever, and center stand allow.
Sure, the geometry of the suspension has to deal with a few new variables when the motorcycle is leaned over, but if it where as hazardous as you suggest, Kenny Roberts would have been a Nascar champion.
Solo 2;
Really great shots Solo 2. I used to lean my KZ400 over like that back in 1978 when I was 18, and wanted to be the next KR. Wish I had pictures.
Still lean my Concours over quite a ways, scraped the mufflers, even a saddlebag once
My old CB's scrape too easy
