Trail Braking Article

This was linked up in another forum, and I wanted to share here to get some feedback :cheers:

http://instepgroup.com/thebellypan/?p=252

pt. 1

 

pt. 2

 

I am by far an expert but I think learning the correct technique from the get go is better than learning one particular way and then years later trying to learn another way.

 

Care to share how you got started?

 

Nick is a super smart guy. But I assuming the "safety experts" are the same people that used his book as a guideline for a class should lead people including him to believe that this statement is not exactly correct.

Those safety experts have taken it upon themselves to create a learning environment for those that have never touched a motorcycle and turn it around in about 15 hrs. The message at the end of any of there courses is and should be. You (student, customer whatever) have not just been apart of the end all of motorcycle training. There is much more to learn and it is up to you to continue that training.


Also, opposed to popular opinion, the Trail Braking technique has been lightly covered in MSF courses for over 8 years that I know of. it's just not identified as trail braking.

I wish the Faster Safer dog and pony show would take less time stabbing at MSF or Code's rules and $1.00 of attention.

 

I started learning trail braking from the begging, it wasn't a problem because I hardly was going fast enough to use it leaned over lol

 

I got started with the notion that you should never touch your brakes in a turn. Now I'm slowly trying to use trailbraking. Maybe, and I say this lightly seeing as how I started on motorcycles at an older age than most professionals, if I started out learning how to trail brake sooner then I would have been more comfortable with it now and possibly have learned at a faster rate. A lot of guys that are professionals started riding when they were younger and learned that particular way when they had been riding for years and therefore more comfortable with their ability. However, if you were to throw a guy out at Barber on his Hayabusa that believes he is fast after years of riding the streets and try to teach him trail braking then it is a good possibility that he will eventually wreck. Just my opinion.

 

I took my MSF through ABATE of Indiana about 6 years ago and they really stressed not using the brakes at lean. It's still great advice for beginner riders because you need that mindset, or starting point, as you take baby steps into adding more lean while letting out on the brake lever

My opinion ^
bash as necessary lol

 

I think there are a few things to consider here:

When coaching a relatively new rider (Novice to mid-intermediate) I prefer to avoid discussion of trail braking. Why? Unless you've pushed your bike pretty far, you have no idea where the traction limit is on the front end of the bike. It's fairly easy to find the limit in the rear, but most times you find the limit in the front when you tuck it for the first time - or at least have a huge pucker moment. So adding a variable that decreases front traction - when you don't know how much you have to start with - is a bad idea IMO.

As well, At those paces you should be focusing on riding smoothly, building good markers, and understanding the dynamics of the bike in a turn. If you don't have a solid handle on those, why would you focus on much more advanced techniques (that carry greater risk if executed improperly)? I can get around Jennings pretty darned fast with almost no brakes, much less trail braking.

Last - not everyone trail brakes, it depends on your riding style and your bike. Some people carry more corner speed and find that to be faster. Some people are more point and shoot. I personally find trail braking useful because it steepens the steering angle and allows me to pivot the chassis quicker when needs be... especially if I do get in a little hot.

I learned to trail brake first by just gently playing with the brake in turns to understand what it does to the bike. I really learned more by overcooking a turn and being forced to use the brake in hopes of not running off. But I can tell you that I was pretty experienced on a bike before I started doing it... and now it is just another tool in the toolbox.

 

I was absolutely terrified touching the brake in any lean angle however, after I did a 2-up with Jason Pridmore at one of his star school I started experimenting. I have found that it takes a lot of balls and the ability to read what the motorcycle is telling you. Once the front starts to chatter that's how I know I'm about to lose the front. This technique more than any other has decreased my laptimes.

 

Great article. Now, who has a link to one on the famous "Pin it to Win it" technique?...

 

:cheers:

 

:eeek:

 

WOW for sure.

Don't want to call BS right away but that is a pretty advanced skill. Being able to feel the front at the limit of traction right before it tucks is something even the pros have trouble with.

Maybe you're that good I don't know but how about some race results or laptimes to back that statement up.

Also I'm not trying to be a jerk just don't want to see a bunch of newbies thinking this is how most of us do it.:crutch:

 

This is one of my goals this year. To learn how and get comfortable with trail braking. I read and it explains it. I can visualize it but now I have to learn to put it into practice. that one of the great things about STT there is always some one willing to help out with the learning.

 

Ok this is scary. You may be experiencing chatter, if so see a pro suspension tuner and get that sh*t tuned out ....chatter is not supposed to be part of the riding equation and is not a warning or indicator of traction/grip levels. :cheers:

 

:lmao:

 

I have found that once I'm at the absolute limit with my front brakes as a certain lean angle the front will begin to chatter just a little bit. I've taken the bike past that limit and I ended up on my ass. I am running stock forks maybe that's what causing the extra chatter. However, and I might be seeing things, but I've "seen" the AMA guys' forks chattering under heavy trail breaking. Or perhaps I'm just seeming things.

 

It feels like the tire is beginning to skip or push itself latterly or in the outward direction when I'm at the limit. I probably had my settings off a little because if I recall had large deep tears.

 

What he said. Get your bike set up better and you can probably go faster.