Trail braking?
09-04-2007, 08:58 PM
#32
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
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You can read all the books in the world over and over again and don't get me wrong they can help but there's no substitue for seat time. Get as much of it as you can and practice only one aspect at a time. If you go out there thinking I'm going to work on body positioning, shifting and braking you'll get yourself thinking too much and that's the worst thing you can do.
As far as when they're doing it guess what everybody rides differently so no two people do it the same. Rossi brakes later than Hayden, Hayden holds it longer than Pedrosa etc.... I like to hold it until I'm right before the apex, release dive it in gas it out. Someone on a twin can get into the gas sooner then someone on an I4 so obviously the two riders will do it differently as well.
Another key to not FREAKING out going into a corner is to make sure you're looking THROUGH the corner. The further down the road you focus the slower it seems you're going, if you focus right in front of you it seems like you're flying. Do NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT focus on the entry point and DO NOT target fixate on where you could run wide or guess what you will run wide. You usually end up where you are looking so focus on where you want to go not where you don't want to be.
As far as when they're doing it guess what everybody rides differently so no two people do it the same. Rossi brakes later than Hayden, Hayden holds it longer than Pedrosa etc.... I like to hold it until I'm right before the apex, release dive it in gas it out. Someone on a twin can get into the gas sooner then someone on an I4 so obviously the two riders will do it differently as well.
Another key to not FREAKING out going into a corner is to make sure you're looking THROUGH the corner. The further down the road you focus the slower it seems you're going, if you focus right in front of you it seems like you're flying. Do NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT focus on the entry point and DO NOT target fixate on where you could run wide or guess what you will run wide. You usually end up where you are looking so focus on where you want to go not where you don't want to be.
tim
Must be nice!
09-05-2007, 07:25 AM
#34
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Atlanta GA
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what level are you taking. I shoull be helping out the teaching in level 1. were you on the blue hawk there last time?
09-05-2007, 11:21 AM
#35
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Phoenix, formerly Dallas
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Yep!
Yes, that was me on the Blue SH in Level 1. I'll be in Level 2 this time. Which instructor were you??? Red TL/airplane mechanic? There was another guy on a Gixxer I talked with quite a bit who was real helpful. You guys were all great. I was impressed. It's a small world!
09-05-2007, 12:06 PM
#37
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Yes, you were the only other SH out there. I thought you were one of the instructors from your email. I was hoping to hook up with you later but it was a crazy day! Maybe we can get on the track at the same time toward the end of the day. I'd like you to watch my mistakes etc.
09-05-2007, 12:59 PM
#38
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yeah I just started being one of the instructors for level one at the tws day on monday. I should be going to MSRC. so I should be able to run couple of laps with you. Get with Scott Foster he's really good at giving feedback. but I'll try and look out for you when I get up there.
09-05-2007, 02:17 PM
#40
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he's on the white and yellow gsxr without the windscreen. he owns MOTOACE.com so dave wil point him out at the riders meeting and he does the track ride in the morning. if you can take the ride with him in his truck he give more info then the the people in the other cars get because he's able to talk to whole time. I might go on it just because I haven't been on the long track in a while.
09-05-2007, 02:27 PM
#41
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Richmond, Virginia
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+1 on both those books. I pick both of them up fairly often to get me thinking about the mental aspects of riding.
09-06-2007, 01:21 PM
#42
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Yes, that's one way of looking at it. Instead of finishing your braking in a straight line before you start leaning into a turn, you keep braking until you hit the apex and are ready to open up the throttle. However the more you are leaned over, the less front brake you can use, because you risk tucking the front tire, so you must gradually release the front brake as lean angle increases. I think it's an important technique to master as it will help you stay on line if you overshoot a corner. Using too much rear brake in this situation will stand the bike up pushing you further away from your desired line. Once you get it down, you may feel that it's actually safer to trail brake a bit in every corner- you are in more control of bike throughout the corner rather than freewheeling in and solely depending on lean angle to maintain proper line. If something unexpected occurs mid-corner and you are freewheeling, it is very difficult to once again get on the brakes while leaned over without tucking the front. Gradually rolling off the front brake ensures you are in control throughout the turn regardless of what may come. Hope that makes sense!
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