When To Use Your Rear Brakes- Well, It Depends Doesn't It?
1olbull said:
Not seen this fellow before, but he does a good job of breaking down trail braking on the street versus the track.
Gratitude for sharing!
Click to expand...
Same...I find myself Riding a road in my mind i havn't ridden on before and i guess i trail brake the front brake at least until i see the exit of the corner.
Mostly its just feathering the brake lever 'just in case the corner tightens too much'...if youre watching the far away exit point all the time thru the corner and it tightens up then you can apply a touch as well as decelerate a tad.
I hopefully have preselected the gear i need to either button off or accelerate away.
 
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I never use the rear, likely as I never had a bike where its not problematic with Aprilia and Triumph being the main culprits. It’s front brakes or no brakes
 
An experienced motor cycle rider learns over years how to use both brakes and when to bias more to the front or rear. Going down hill there is more weight and therefore grip on the front so that needs to be used with more authority. No one needs to fear either brake but use as the conditions warrant. The new ABS systems really help us not get into to much trouble but the brain needs to be turned on all the time.

If you put around under the speed limits then it’s just not critical but if your pushing for excitement you need to develop brake control skills.
 
I'd be very careful with that "feathering" of the front brake. I feel both brakes should be gradually applied while throttle is gradually backed off until you find your line. Then when you can see the exit path, reverse the process as you accelerate out.
The rear brake will set the bike and reduce weight transfer to the front.
Caution as front braking at speed while in a lean will lift the bike back up reducing lean angle back towards perpendicular. This will cause it to increase your path radius and take you
off the road.
I would: 1) enter the twisty slow enough you have plenty of time to adjust for the curve. 2) Practice to increase your braking skills. Hooning twisties can be crazy fun IF IF IF you have developed skills and then ALWAYS STAY within them!
 
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Dr.D said:
If you put around under the speed limits then it’s just not critical but if your pushing for excitement you need to develop brake control skills.
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Agree . . .
And for us deep into decrepit old age (77) kryptonite tis mandatory to adjust your fanging speed proportional to your decrepit factor. Tis no fun, but necessary if you wish to avoid the loooong healing of old age.
 
It hasnt got me yet...touch wood!.. but youre never too old to listen and learn..i have had the odd spill in my younger years due to too much testerone, no brains, no training and all mixed with alcohol....i do appreciate the advise as i have never taken a riding course which probably i should do...too many of us spend our life riding in a manner we think is best...some get away with it and others dont.
If you follow a rider who has been taught these skills its a thing of beauty to watch.
At 74 yrs of age i am way more cautious than i used to be of course but the boy comes out now and then still....i feel a 'Ride Forever' course coming on.....

I
 
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the bike and context is important.

as an example I would love see you lift the rear while at lean on a rocket 3.
also never had issues feathering the front brakes on any bike while at lean, in fact all the way to the corner apex. this is how you generate front tire grip in corners and reduce cornering radius, turning tighter.
When the front forks compress you reduce the wheelbase length and significantly increase downward pressure on the front tire, generating lots of grip. That why the lack of rear brake does not bother me to much, should just be enough to hold bike when stationary, at least for me.

the wings on motogp bikes are there to improve downward pressure on the front to generate shoulder sliding corning magic!
best wishes all.
 
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