Downshifting before cornering

Robm422

.060 Over
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
159
Location
Ventura, California
Ride
Rocket iii roadster
So having lived with the R3R for about 7 months now, and mostly riding canyons, i find one characteristic of the rocket that has giving me a few pucker up moments, is the speed I pick up in corners on the downhill. I've had a few pucker up moments. anyone else experience this with the big bike? I know now that downshifting before the turn fully takes care of the problem, with engine braking scrubbing the speed during the turn. I've also heard of people using the rear brake lightly while still on the throttle a bit.
Coming from a mainly dirtbike bckground, its kind of a new sensation for me.
 
Been on a big bike for several years now. First a vtx1800 and now a Rocket Roadster. I've never heard of holding rear brake while applying throttle. Don't understand the principle behind it. I have always tried to slow to a speed before a turn that allowed throttling up into a turn. Acceleration is the way to go into a turn.
 
You say you come from a dirt-bike background, engine breaking during a turn to scrub off speed --- no no no that is just as bad if not worse than decelerating in a curve, now trail braking you can definitely do but practice it before you go balls to the wall.
Best way to address your pucker moments is to enter the curve at a slower speed, engine braking is putting more weight to the front now using the engine on a downhill will save your brakes from brake fade but I would not use engine braking to slow me down in a curve/turn.
 
I have had a FZ1 for years and you enter a corner let off the gas and the engine braking that occurs struck me as so normal and helpful in getting through tight spots. The VTX 1800 had it also, the Triumph Roadster does not, but I find that fun also, it is so fun hammering on that throttle coming out of a curve, the bike is unique.
 
I mean't to say, downshifting before the turn, in addition to slowing to an appropriate speed, so my speed doesn't increase mid turn.
 
OK a couple of things about racing a dirt bike, number 1 you go as deep as you possible can into the corner before braking and then you clamp both brakes while a the same time down shifting and back on the gas as soon as possible. The rider who goes deepest into the corners prior to braking wins the race. On street bike you come in low leave high and try not to bind up the bike, braking is to set the front wheel and by mid corner the bike should be neutral on exit the bike should have a controlled push
 
using the rear brake in a turn (gently) will allow to modify the trajectory while leaned over
the throttle bit I have no idea
 
Depending on how aggressive you ride you should always have power applied to the bike thru a curve as @albertaduke said the rear brake can be used to modify your trajectory in the curve...think of it as a trim tab
 
R3Tex said:
Depending on how aggressive you ride you should always have power applied to the bike thru a curve as @albertaduke said the rear brake can be used to modify your trajectory in the curve...think of it as a trim tab
Click to expand...


trim tab eh!! in airplane parlance that would be either fixed (on aileron) or the big black wheel in the middle of the cockpit ,I like your analogy
 

It's called trail braking. First, downshift to the correct gear needed for utilizing maximum acceleration out of a curve. Second, utilize the correct amount of brake in as little time as possible entering the curve. Third, follow with a coordinated gradual easing off the rear brake while you accelerate. This sets the attitude of the chassis, prevents too much weight transfer onto the front wheel thereby improving the available traction (lean angle) through the curve and reduces the time necessary (=speed) to complete the curve.
Just my two cents.
 
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