I needed that article.

[quote author=132D2C20322E2F410 link=1495490102/15#28 date=1495675262] Quote:


That is a very good article.....I do use that technique - but I never understood exactly what folks meant when they said "trail braking".  (I still don't understand how that term relates to braking into a corner).

I read an article from a road racer not long ago, and he was taking time to practice his brake application technique....he felt that by being really smooth on the application & release of the brakes, he could get another 1% faster!  He would get on a downhill slope at walking speed and pull in the clutch, and then pull on the front brake lever just enough that he could feel the pads touch the rotor - but not enough to slow or stop the bike...then he would release, and he would repeat that motion over and over.  He was fine tuning his ability to be a "surgeon" with his brake application.  He believed that smooth application and release of the brakes would give him an edge on the competition.  I have been consciously practicing this as I come to turns or intersections, as it will help me to apply the brakes smoothly when I need to get on the brakes in a hurry.  When I watch the Asian Scooter crash videos - I see so many of them crash when they instantly grab a handful of front brake.....they don't apply the brake linearly and allow the weight to shift onto the front wheel before they get on the brake really hard.

On big open turns at casual speeds, I don't use the brakes and just hold a constant speed.  When I hustle along and I am riding in the "sport" mode - I am on the brakes before and into the entrance of the turn - and there are occasions when I have to apply the brakes to slow down while in the corner as the curve becomes sharper, a car in my lane, or a bad/wet spot in the road.  Braking in a corner can be done safely - but you have to be able to limit the amount of cornering force vs. braking force.

A few years ago one of the younger forum members scolded me when I posted a photo from the Dragon.  They gave me a "Shame on You" when they saw me breaking on the way into a curve....I just let it go as I didn't think they were ready for the truth!

However......when you are learning the front brake can be a very scary thing when you do it wrong!  (Not sure why I can't load links on my computer this morning).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V13lkDkEbqY

JOG:

Sorry your sick - hope your can kick it ASAP.  Being sick is miserable!

Green Riding is what I usually do at the Dragon and places like that, for 2 reasons.  1: The obvious reason as you have stated as it makes for good visibility and safer exiting of those tight and sometimes blind turns.  2: Although I do offer courtesy and let the go-fast bikers pass me on the brief straightaways, I maintain my left travel lane when approaching as well as through most of the turn to keep anyone from trying to zip past me in a turn causing me to be pushed off the road.

As far as braking, which was sorta the initial topic, I was taught the 80/20 rule in my MSF course. 80% front and 20% rear, and that's sort of my braking style.  However, at places like the Dragon I will ride with my feet up on the highway pegs and seldom shift, and will mostly use 100% methodical front braking throughout and only use the rear if I bring my feet down for any reason.

Some good discussion here and I'm pretty sure my understated comment was overreacted to.  It's definitely hard use of the front brake that can get a rider into trouble in a curve or other turn; particularly an inexperienced rider.  Tried using an economy of words initially and apparently created havoc.

I meant "hard braking", as in grabbing a handful of front brake in a turn.  Not that the act of braking is hard.
Not trying to be contentious and never claim to be a know it all.  But i'm just not making myself clear or understood.  Agreed we can always improve at most anything.  Everyone I meet will know something I don't!