MOKETMotorcycle lean angle: what it is and how far you really lean
Every rider wonders sooner or later: “How far did I lean in that corner?” Lean angle is how far the motorcycle tilts from vertical. Here is what it depends on, what is normal on the road and how it is measured.
What it depends on
In a corner the bike leans to balance the force pushing it outwards. The faster you go and the tighter the corner, the more you have to lean. In theory: tangent of the angle = speed² / (9.81 × corner radius), with speed in metres per second and radius in metres.
A few examples
- Roundabout with a 30 m radius at 50 km/h (31 mph): about 33°.
- Corner with a 100 m radius at 90 km/h (56 mph): about 33°.
- Corner with a 100 m radius at 110 km/h (68 mph): about 44°.
- These are theoretical values: tyre width and body position change the result a little.
How far riders really lean
- In everyday riding you almost always stay below 30°.
- Experienced riders on country roads often reach 35° to 45°.
- With road tyres in good condition on dry tarmac the limit is around 45 to 50°; often the footpegs touch down first.
- On track, professional racers on race tyres go beyond 60°.
Your body matters
If you shift your weight to the inside of the corner, the bike needs less lean at the same speed: that is why racers hang off. If you stay stiff or lean outwards, the bike has to lean more.
How to measure it
On track, riders use data loggers. On the road a phone firmly mounted on the handlebars is enough: its motion sensors estimate how far the bike leans. It is an estimate, not a lab measurement, but more than enough to see how you ride and how you improve.
Lean angle is not a contest
More lean does not mean better riding. Cold, dirty or wet tarmac reduces grip a lot. On public roads your safety margin matters more than any number.
Lean angle in the Moket dashboard
Moket shows your lean angle during the ride and saves your maximum as a record on your profile. There are lean-angle medals in several levels too, but no leaderboard between riders: it is about your own progress, not a contest.
