Braking in the Corner? Yes or No?

[Dr.D]

i was bought up on a farm and rode my bike around slippery grass paddocks. I soon learned that applying the front brake going into corners had consequences like sliding off into probably cow shyte!...
I think this has taught me not to front brake whilst in corners and i always do my braking if required prior to leaning into a corner...i honestly cannot recall ever front braking whilst in a corner...or rear for that matter...i'll use the gears before i use the brakes setting my speed so i can ride the bike around the corner to my ability. If i need to brake as well its while im still upright then off the brake and into the corner..

I too learned off road on Florida sand. The surface we are riding on makes all the rules. Even on the pavement there can be stuff that will compromise traction so I do leave room to change the line or adjust speed.

I've seen a rider crash badly that said he never used the front brake for fear of crashing when that was a major reason why he did go down.

 

[atomsplitter]

Ah yes... sobering reality of our meat wrapped chalk stick carcasses. It's amazing how we all forget that at our age (I'm 35) that even fallkng in the shower is almost guaranteed to send us to the hospital. Yet we ride motorcycles

Now I feel old thank you very much. Then again I feel a lot younger boppin around on this thing: (BTW I'll be 71 come January)

 

[Kiwicol]

Yeah, I spotted 35 as well. Think I can just about remember being 35, it was over 30 years ago so not easy. LOL Pretty much bullet proof at 35, ya lucky bugger!

 

[Tal]

I know they teach you to use the front brake in corners on the 'Ride Forever' courses we have here in NZ but only slight pressure as it shortens the wheelbase and creates a larger footprint of the front wheel giving you more front wheel grip...i guess doing my learning on greasy paddocks has made me a little wary of doing that but i can understand the instructors thinking all the same....i know if im following a bike thru the twistys and his brake light comes on into every corner im not sure of his ability and tend to get past at the first opportunity.

 

[Journeyman]

I know they teach you to use the front brake in corners on the 'Ride Forever' courses we have here in NZ but only slight pressure as it shortens the wheelbase and creates a larger footprint of the front wheel giving you more front wheel grip...i guess doing my learning on greasy paddocks has made me a little wary of doing that but i can understand the instructors thinking all the same....i know if im following a bike thru the twistys and his brake light comes on into every corner im not sure of his ability and tend to get past at the first opportunity.

I would have thought that before, but if he is riding smoothly and fast I now understand he's doing what I'm doing right behind him. This has not always been my riding style, but is consistently now. The key is very easy/gradually on the front brake and, once off, very easy on the throttle to maintain speed in the corner before hammering back on. Another benefit I see is that if you need to emergency brake in the turn (never good), you are already on the brake so there's no lag time with applying the brake and them heating up to grab. Plus, you're less likely to snatch the lever.

 

[Gimlet]

Ah yes... sobering reality of our meat wrapped chalk stick carcasses. It's amazing how we all forget that at our age (I'm 35) that even fallkng in the shower is almost guaranteed to send us to the hospital. Yet we ride motorcycles

Riding motorcycles is perfectly safe. It's rapid unscheduled dismounting at speed that causes all the trouble.

 

[Jagster]

Riding motorcycles is perfectly safe. It's rapid unscheduled dismounting at speed that causes all the trouble.

Watch out for those trees that step out into the road with no warning......and other similar stories....

 

[Tal]

I would have thought that before, but if he is riding smoothly and fast I now understand he's doing what I'm doing right behind him. This has not always been my riding style, but is consistently now. The key is very easy/gradually on the front brake and, once off, very easy on the throttle to maintain speed in the corner before hammering back on. Another benefit I see is that if you need to emergency brake in the turn (never good), you are already on the brake so there's no lag time with applying the brake and them heating up to grab. Plus, you're less likely to snatch the lever.

...i'm hearing you and i agree with you...i just find myself struggling to use the front brake going into a corner incase i end up sliding thru cow shyte like i used to on the farm!!..lol

 

[Dr.D]

Watch out for those trees that step out into the road with no warning......and other similar stories....

Going up into the NC mountains we saw a dead tree fall just 100 yards in front of us. Weird stuff does happen.

 

[Mongler07]

Riding motorcycles is perfectly safe. It's rapid unscheduled dismounting at speed that causes all the trouble.

Rapid unscheduled dismounting is perfectly safe. It's the expansion of the universe and our motion though time that causes all the trouble.