Trail braking?

[MissHell]

Originally Posted by Rider

I over used the rear brake, so much so that it bit me in the ass and caused me to high side while trying to avoid a collision.

That's what I am scared of.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by MissHell

That's what I am scared of.

Solution: Don't use the rear brake.

[racedoll]

I don't think I trail brake at the track. Hell, I barely use the brakes at all and never he rear at the track or rarely on the steet.

[Yamerhaw]

Originally Posted by The Chi

I hate using the front brake for much of anything, ...

gotta ask why? doesnt sound safe at all as your front brake is probably like 80% of your stopping power

[the chi]

Originally Posted by Yamerhaw

gotta ask why? doesnt sound safe at all as your front brake is probably like 80% of your stopping power

I am never at the speeds or intensity at which I NEED to use my front brakes, at least not on the street. I can easily and lightly apply my rear brakes for all the stopping power I need on the street unless its an emergency situation.

Racedoll, I totally feel ya. I had to force myself to use both brakes, and most of all the front on the track. Its been so long since I was at the track I am sure I'll need to retrain myself on it. Once I get warmed up and feeling it tho, its pretty awesome and I love the rush I get outta proper braking on the track, now if I could just do it EVERY time, Id see some improvement and better lap times!

[The Awesome]

Lets clarify a few things before going any further. First, trail braking is an essential skill for performance riding. There is no going fast without it. Second, trail braking MUST be either application of the front brake alone, or a combination of both brakes. Dragging the rear brake into a corner is not trail braking.

The biggest function of trail braking is load distribution upon corner entry. If you brake in a straight line, release the brakes, then turn in, you are forcing the suspension to compress, decompress, and then compress again as you turn in. This causes the chassis to be unstable and fighting the rider through the duration of the corner. Proper trail braking will allow you to compress the forks, then trade braking forces for cornering forces while keeping the chassis of the bike stable and properly loaded. As I explored the development of this skill I gained a huge respect for the ability of pro riders to use and properly control the front end of a motorcycle. It's mind boggling what capabilities are really there if you know how to use them. It's important to approach your development of this skill slowly, because it's easy to get in over your head and tuck the front end when you don't know how to ride the front wheel properly.

[MissHell]

Originally Posted by The Awesome

Lets clarify a few things before going any further. First, trail braking is an essential skill for performance riding. There is no going fast without it. Second, trail braking MUST be either application of the front brake alone, or a combination of both brakes. Dragging the rear brake into a corner is not trail braking.

The biggest function of trail braking is load distribution upon corner entry. If you brake in a straight line, release the brakes, then turn in, you are forcing the suspension to compress, decompress, and then compress again as you turn in. This causes the chassis to be unstable and fighting the rider through the duration of the corner. Proper trail braking will allow you to compress the forks, then trade braking forces for cornering forces while keeping the chassis of the bike stable and properly loaded. As I explored the development of this skill I gained a huge respect for the ability of pro riders to use and properly control the front end of a motorcycle. It's mind boggling what capabilities are really there if you know how to use them. It's important to approach your development of this skill slowly, because it's easy to get in over your head and tuck the front end when you don't know how to ride the front wheel properly.

I think your response was directed at everyone, but I wanted to know more.

I never hear the term "trail braking" until my track instructor told me I was doing it. About 70% of the time I use my front brake BEFORE a turn to slow down. However I also use the method of using my rear brake in the turn, to kinda slide through the turn, this is trail braking?

Are both methods okay? What are the con's of trail braking?

[Rsv1000R]

Originally Posted by The Chi

I am never at the speeds or intensity at which I NEED to use my front brakes, at least not on the street. I can easily and lightly apply my rear brakes for all the stopping power I need on the street unless its an emergency situation.

Rae, your bike is a sports bike right?
If it is this isn't a good practice for you to do. A lot of people here wouldn't really say anything if you didn't use your rear brake, I'm in the "Use both brakes all the time camp".
By using the rear brake most the time, you're building connections from your brain to your right foot. But you're not building them to your right hand at the same rate.
You have to use both brakes all the time to train your brain, until you get to the point where you don't have to think about braking, when your body memory can take over. That way when things aren't going great you have time to worry about the car or deer running in front of you and not trying to think your way through using the front brake because it is an emergency.

If your bike is a cruiser with a rearward weight bias, you do need more rear brake and less front. But you still need both to stop as short as possible with the most control.

[Trip]

yeah, not using the front is a good way to find yourself implanted into some car because you have no natural reaction to apply the front brakes that have most of the stopping power. Rear brake is jello, it has no stopping power.