Riding tip of the week.

18. Braking. Who still uses their rear brake as their main brake? Believe it or not, a lot of people still do. The rear brake is great for slow speed riding, as it eliminates front end dive, allowing you to keep your balance when stopping or riding slowly. But at higher speeds, the very fact that the weight shifts onto the front tyre, means that the front brake is the main brake. By having the weight transfer onto the front tyre, the tyre 'digs in' and gives you more grip, which in turn allows you to squeeze more front brake. The more you squeeze, the more weight transfers, allowing you to squeeze more. Braking should always be a 'squeeze', not a snatch. The snatch can cause a wheel to lock very easily, because the front tyre and suspension are overwhelmed suddenly, causing a 'rebound' affect. So, keep the front brake for proper braking from any kind of speed, and rear just for low speeds (sub 20mph).

I use the front as my main brake. My Hondas braking system is linked in that when I hit the back brake one of the front discs is also used. Probably the case on most modern bikes??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Swanny

...My Hondas braking system is linked in that when I hit the back brake one of the front discs is also used. Probably the case on most modern bikes??

---

Nope, only a few Hondas have linked brakes, fortunately....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scotty

[quote author=Swanny link=1325883254/81#81 date=1333797575]...My Hondas braking system is linked in that when I hit the back brake one of the front discs is also used. Probably the case on most modern bikes??

---

Nope, only a few Hondas have linked brakes, fortunately....
[/quote]

Mine are linked when using the front brake but when using the rear its on its own. Only really use the rear on its own when cornering or slow manoevering.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Scotty

[quote author=Swanny link=1325883254/81#81 date=1333797575]...My Hondas braking system is linked in that when I hit the back brake one of the front discs is also used. Probably the case on most modern bikes??

---

Nope, only a few Hondas have linked brakes, fortunately....
[/quote]
Is it a bad thing???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Swanny

[quote author=Scotty link=1325883254/82#82 date=1333804443][quote author=Swanny link=1325883254/81#81 date=1333797575]...My Hondas braking system is linked in that when I hit the back brake one of the front discs is also used. Probably the case on most modern bikes??

---

Nope, only a few Hondas have linked brakes, fortunately....
[/quote]
Is it a bad thing???[/quote]

I think so. I like to be able to use my brakes independently. As mentioned, a little rear can be useful to control speed in a corner or on a roundabout. I don't want my front coming on at the same time.

brakeing with the front is a life saver, ive had to do this and thanks to Mr Ables training has paid off in one of those :D moments.
However the guy on the bike behind me used his rear went sideways and hit the car. ;D he was ok,,,,luckly.

A true testimony of the brake and swerve Maneuver on the test, so cheers Mark
What seemed to be a usless and waste of time piece of the test really did help.

Thought it was swerve then brake??? Am i doing it wrong ? :-/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by porkies

Thought it was swerve then brake??? Am i doing it wrong ? :-/

---

nope

and I definitely learned the hard way not to brake while swerving. glad the examiner only gave me a minor for that one ::)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by porkies

Thought it was swerve then brake??? Am i doing it wrong ? :-/

---

and there was me thinking I had it in the bag and got away with a collision only to be told I did it all wrong . ::)
for those of you that like to pick at any oppurtunity.
I braked, saw a hole swerved and then when the bike was back in line and then braked and sqeazed some more
I may of written it wrong but when the time came to do the %$^& I was ok

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8_ball

[quote author=porkies link=1325883254/87#87 date=1333879496]Thought it was swerve then brake??? Am i doing it wrong ? :-/

---

for those of you that like to pick at any oppurtunity.[/quote]

Wasn't picking at you 8ball :-? I just want to make sure i ride properly and if i am doing it wrong i want to know the right way.

Glad you managed to avoiding binning it, any escape is a good escape in my book [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

In real life, you do whatever it takes. Point being, it saved your bacon mate, and for that I'm pleased... ;)

19. Turning in too early? One of the most common causes of running wide in a corner is because you've turned into the corner too early. An early 'apex' (ask if you don't know what I'm talking about) will send you wide on the exit. Racers aim to apex at about the halfway point. Road riders should aim for a late apex. A late apex means you'll always make the corner, plus you retain your view around the bend. The reason many people apex too early is because they've not judged the bend correctly, quite often down to not using the 'vanishing point' (ask me if you don't know). Or they turn into the bend early, as they think that by hugging the corner, they'll make it round. So as an experiment, enter a bend you're familiar with, and leave the turn point as late as you possibly can (you'll either be heading towards the white line or the verge), but then turn quicker than you would do normally, aiming for a late apex. Don't be concerned about leaning too quickly, as it's not possible. You can lean as fast as you want (although it may feel scary at first). You will make the corner. It may not be wise to turn in early on purpose (unless you really know what you're doing), as you will go wide, causing you to throttle off (maybe brake as well), look in the wrong place, and freeze up. You won't make the corner.

sounds complex? wasn't taught apex's when learning to ride. will give it a try on a dry day, will read up on how to 'spot' the apex.

these tips make great reading for a novice like me :)

i saw a bloke the other day...was folowing in car....he took the corner way to early......went a tad wide...obviosuly panicked.

he hit the brakes the bike sat bolt upright and he marginally missed the opposite hedge :-? :o

I'm going to give this a try, as I do tend to run wide sometimes. I thought it was mis-judgement of speed, but not so sure.

Regards,
Dan

I've always used the vanishing point to gauge corner speed, all the (road) training I've had has said to take the long way round.
On a right hander you'll be over by your side of the road verge, on left hander in the center, gives you better views of the road ahead.
If a vanishing point is close and it slows you, as it moves away you can get on the gas

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dstuchbury

I'm going to give this a try, as I do tend to run wide sometimes. I thought it was mis-judgement of speed, but not so sure.

Regards,
Dan

---

Speed is rarely the issue. Most of the time, when you first start out riding, you dedicate most of your time trying to judge the right speed for a corner. These days, I get the speed about right, but then make the bike take the corner by getting the line and lean angle right. To do that, you have to be confident that you can lean as much or as little as you want (by counter steering), but also, you need to have a plan as to what line you're going to take.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by evil_daddy

I've always used the vanishing point to gauge corner speed, all the (road) training I've had has said to take the long way round.
On a right hander you'll be over by your side of the road verge, on left hander in the center, gives you better views of the road ahead.
If a vanishing point is close and it slows you, as it moves away you can get on the gas

---

Exactly. The wide line for view, and for safety (so you're not leaning into on-coming traffic on right-handers). Effectively it's taking a very late apex.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mark_Able

Exactly. The wide line for view, and for safety (so you're not leaning into on-coming traffic on right-handers). Effectively it's taking a very late apex.

---

yes, very late apex, totally different to a track apex.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mark_Able

[quote author=dstuchbury link=1325883254/96#96 date=1334356090]I'm going to give this a try, as I do tend to run wide sometimes. I thought it was mis-judgement of speed, but not so sure.

Regards,
Dan

---

...Most of the time, when you first start out riding, you dedicate most of your time trying to judge the right speed for a corner... [/quote]

That's pretty much what I spend my cornering time doing at the moment.

Working on....
Planning further in advance.
Gears & speed sorted sooner.
Line.

Regards,
Dan

wish I'd known this 6 months ago, I might not have ended up in a hedge going around the S bend on Lyneham banks ;D

guilty as charged - I use my back brake more than the front. No idea why...just a bad habit

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dabz

guilty as charged - I use my back brake more than the front. No idea why...just a bad habit

---

Car driver... ::) Foot does the braking... ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mark_Able

[quote author=Dabz link=1325883254/103#103 date=1334591486]guilty as charged - I use my back brake more than the front. No idea why...just a bad habit

---

the best way to get out of that habbit is disconnect the back brake lol only joking
I dont have a back brake i have a long chain with a ankor, effective but only at a 100 yards....???? :-*
Car driver... ::) Foot does the braking... ;)[/quote]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dabz

guilty as charged - I use my back brake more than the front. No idea why...just a bad habit

---

Probably getting in practice for riding a classic bike - you need every brake you got! ;D

BB

Hehe the benly has 2 brakes - left foot and right foot ;)

Sounds just like Ghost's T110! ;D

BB

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blackbonnie

[quote author=Dabz link=1325883254/103#103 date=1334591486]guilty as charged - I use my back brake more than the front. No idea why...just a bad habit

---

Probably getting in practice for riding a classic bike - you need every brake you got! ;D

BB[/quote]

...and some you don't have!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

Hardly ever use my rear brake, unless I need to sit the bike up a bit in a corner?.

not even for general slowing down from speed to keep the bike balanced?

Some times but mainly use front brakes for stopping. Dare say use the rear more than I think without giving it a thought if that makes sense?.

yeah makes sense, just wondered is all

and before anyone else says i know we all have our own riding style, i'm just trying to improve mine, thats why i ask so many damn questions :D

Nothing wrong with asking questions, just be selective what you listen to.

that i already know, but some aren't too keen on all my Q's!

That is what forums are for in my opinion. What would they be without them?..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by porkies

that i already know, but some aren't too keen on all my Q's!

---

That's their problem Dan - at the end of the day they don't have to read your posts. If we become apprehensive about what we post (non-offensive comments) then forums become meaningless and pointless.

Keep asking and don’t bow to the cyber bullies. ;)

Agree with the principle that free advice on the internet is worth what you have paid for it.......

My use of the rear is for:

1. Slow U turns or entries to main roads from a give way junction if not coming to a complete stop. Helps keep the bike settled, you can keep the revs a bit higher so clutch control/throttle management kept smooth.

2. Braking on an approach to Rbt/junction etc where gravel is visible.

3. On faster cornering where I'm also scrubbing a little speed off in the turn. Although my GS can handle quite heavy braking with the front brakes whilst cornering due to the design of the front end I'm trying not to get in that habit as the same technique on the other bike would lead to disaster ;D It also squats the rear end down in the corner which I prefer as it really helps keep the bike settled if its bumpy.

This is what I do.... it is not advice for others ;)

Oh forgot another:

4) Hill starts

Sometimes free advice can be worth more than nothing. So called experts don't always get it right.

Thousands of hours of motorcycling experience on here. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Don’t forget Noah’s Ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic was built by professionals. ;) :P