Trail Braking Good Read

[CIP57_imp]

After reading and seeing Joola's close call this weekend i felt the need to post this article.
I been riding for 40 years but the few track days ( 50+) at the intermediate level have made me a different street rider. No were not on sport bikes but learning these techniques can save your ass. I buddy i ride with asked me why I'm always on the brake I explained but more important gave him literature to read. The article speaks for itself, the trained tech has much more to offer than me.
http://thebellypan.com/?p=252

 

[HikerToo_imp]

I read this....although on my ride on back roads tonight, I don't think I was riding aggressively enough to come into corners braking.....I think over 90% of the corners I just went into at current speed so never really needed to use brakes.

 

[emptysea]

Great post. Combine this article with November's CycleWorld's article titled Downshifting 101 and I have some new techniques to try out on the road this weekend.

 

[CIP57_imp]

I read this....although on my ride on back roads tonight, I don't think I was riding aggressively enough to come into corners braking.....I think over 90% of the corners I just went into at current speed so never really needed to use brakes.

Riding at the speed limit would hopefully give you enough time to control the situation coming around a blind curve, deer, car over center double etc. but making a habit of covering your front brake softly will help you from making a panic stop. You already have pressure instead of that panic grab which is instinct. Soft touch will allow you to burn off speed while keeping your line or ability to turn in if necessary.

 

[CIP57_imp]

There is a good article in Cycle World this month (July issue) page 80 ( The Brake Light Initiative) A very good read. It discusses reasons why i posted this thread.

 

[emptysea]

I read it. Very good article.

 

[Cormanus]

Thanks for bumping his thread CIP. I wasn't a member when you first posted it and missed it. Both the articles are a good read and food for thought. I'll now try to track down the article EmptySea refers to.

Edit: Both CycleWorld pieces are available on the internet.

 

[Pauley]

Thanks for bumping his thread CIP. I wasn't a member when you first posted it and missed it. Both the articles are a good read and food for thought. I'll now try to track down the article EmptySea refers to.

Edit: Both CycleWorld pieces are available on the internet.

+1 on that. Great article.

 

[redbirds_imp]

Excellent article. I am going to put this into practice on every ride.

 

[shdwghst457_imp]

Same here!

 

[ari cb_imp]

Thanks for sharing

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

 

[StackMan_imp]

Interesting article, ive always relied mostly on compression, downshifting into a corner and controlling speed with throttle. I'll have to give this technique some tests and see how it goes. Thanks for the post

 

[redbirds_imp]

This month's Cycle World has an article about the benefits of proper trail braking. A good compliment to the item leading this thread.

 

[CB4ME_imp]

Love this Forum! CIP - adding my thanks.

I usually carry some front brake into corners but not as well as described. I also try to accelerate out of the corners as I'm sure most do.

My biggest problem is judging speed into an unfamiliar corner. Too slow and you're safe but embarassed at yourself. Too fast and the bike stands up due to too much braking or you get fixated on where you're suddenly heading.

Proper gearing is also important. I hate being in 4th or 5th gear after I've botched a corner and have to downshift a few times.

Fortunately I've slowed down a lot in my old age and still have plenty of lean angle when I think I'm going too fast - provided I don't panic and not use it.

 

[CIP57_imp]

Love this Forum! CIP - adding my thanks.

I usually carry some front brake into corners but not as well as described. I also try to accelerate out of the corners as I'm sure most do.

My biggest problem is judging speed into an unfamiliar corner. Too slow and you're safe but embarassed at yourself. Too fast and the bike stands up due to too much braking or you get fixated on where you're suddenly heading.

Proper gearing is also important. I hate being in 4th or 5th gear after I've botched a corner and have to downshift a few times.

Fortunately I've slowed down a lot in my old age and still have plenty of lean angle when I think I'm going too fast - provided I don't panic and not use it.

I rode for years just using the throttle to compensate for mistakes in turns until I took a beginners class at the track and learned how to properly take a turn aggressively covering the front brake. It becomes second nature now. I find myself sometimes on the highway with two fingers on the brake. Gear position is very important, when riding spirited a try to carry about 5-6000 rpm's into a turn.