A method in
motorcycle racing for lowering the composite
center of gravity
of bike and rider.
Other things being equal, if the bike can be ridden more upright, then the front
wheel may be pushed a little further in, effecting a smaller turn. Alternately,
if the CG is lowered while the bike maintains it's aspect to the track then
the bike may be run faster.
In racing, this is usually combined with both powering the rear wheel into
slight slippage which increases speed. Because this also requires highly precise
balance, racers touch the road surface with a knee slider to better feel
the exact aspect of the bike. A skillful rider can also lift a bike that's
begun to skid out into a low-side, avoiding a crash