Question for anyone who knows about motorcyle flattracking

[Tri-Z Pilot]

I was just watching a show called 'top dead center', and it had motorcyle dirt flattracking. The kind that is mostly dominated by harley's, well my question is,whenever they are in a straightaway, why do they put their left hand on the bottom side of the gas tank, does anyone know?

[x.system]

They do that to cut off the air supply to the carb like a choke, I believe its so they dont blow the motor. I remember hearing them talk about that but I can't remember everything they said about it.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

What do they do, run their bike lean for extra power? Besides, arent harley carbs on the right side, or do they have a special setup just for this reason?

[x.system]

I really dont know much bout the harleys and I've only watched those kind of races once or twice.

[Ace Mon]

What ?? I thought they did that to minimize wind restiance ! Thats they way I understood it . Duck down have 1 hand on the throttle and the other tucked in for less wind drag .

[samster143]

AERODYNAMICS!

[YAMAHA_Jim]

Yeah,,,Aerodynamics.

[md1985250r]

yep..AERODYNAMICS........

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Allright, thanx guys, I just thought it looked kinda weird, but it was pretty cool watching them whip those bikes around the track.