braking during a turn

[!xobile]

msf states that you should avoid braking during a turn unless you really need to do so. i never practice this and will definately do so after gaining some tips.

i had an incident at a half circle corner. i was leaning and pressing left then grabbed the front brake and pulled firmer as i got deeper into the turn to reduce speed, while gently pressing the rear brake pedal. after doing so, the bike stood upright itself and threw me off my leaning/balance. at this point im around 15-20mph few inches away from the ditch. the bike forced me into a ditch with loose dirt/rough roads and i continue braking. i eventually drop at 10mph but nothing serious.

so i ask what is a better approach to this situation? i was afraid to use more rear brake to avoid locking up. once i grabbed the front brake and got more firm on it, the bike tended to stand upright more. one thing i did wrong was not downshifting.

 

[Mudda Focker]

slow down. that way you dont have to lean as much.

 

[RRR70]

Slow in, fast out.

 

[squid vicious]

A lot went wrong here:

i had an incident at a half circle corner. i was leaning and pressing left then grabbed the front brake and pulled firmer as i got deeper into the turn to reduce speed,

using any control abruptly will upset the bike and cause unexpected actions, for example:
the bike stood upright itself and threw me off my leaning/balance.


I will disagree with this:
the bike forced me into a ditch with loose dirt/rough roads and i continue braking.
the bike only did what you told it to do


so i ask what is a better approach to this situation? .

First, slow before the turn. It is a rare occasion you actually need the brakes in the corner. If you set your speed first and something shows up mid corner, you can usually steer around it maintaining throttle. You never did tell us WHY you braked. Did something get in your way? Start running wide?

 

[mashimaro_zx]

I feel that in many cases further braking will make it harder to turn.

Make sure you reduce your speed before the turn and shift to the proper gear, which allows you accelerate a little thru the turn. Keep braking into the turn will not help you.

 

[Sidewalk]

Look through the turn if you need to turn tighter. Your inputs will follow your eyes. Get that head turnes as tight as you can if you need to in order to get the bike turned. Odds are your bike will turn much tighter then you think it can.

Until you get more advanced, save the braking for when the bike is straight up and down. If you are not going to make the turn, stand up and stop the bike, don't brake leaned over. Eventually you will learn what your limits are (more of less) when it comes to braking in a turn, but it isn't a needed skill yet.

SLOW DOWN!

Go slower into the turn. Like posted above; slow in fast out. It is easier to get on the throttle sooner in the corner to make up speed then it is to save your lines by going in too hot. Some corners on the track benefit from going through real slow just to set you up for a fast exit from the corner immediately following it. Lots of fun because you can shoot passed someone on the straight because you have a higher speed coming out of that last corner (only applies to the track though).

 

[Aluisious]

Some people learn to brake in corners from driving. You're not supposed to do that in a car, either. That's how you end up being one of those grandmas in the wrong lane killing a motorcyclist.

 

[that180guy]

Some people learn to brake in corners from driving. You're not supposed to do that in a car, either. That's how you end up being one of those grandmas in the wrong lane killing a motorcyclist.

here here for that one. When I see folks do that on the road, I just shake my head.

Keep the braking in a straight line until you become more advanced.

 

[bigt]

Everyone saying you shouldn't brake in a corner should really do some research on the subject before you make such uneducated claims.

 

[that180guy]

Well its not exactly something a noobie should be doing. because if you get used to riding brakes thru a corner, you'll keep on doing so. Not exactly fast isnt it? Unelss we're talking about trail braking, which really is a differnt story. Or steering angle adjustment(which is really a car technique).

 

[Enchanter]

Everyone saying you shouldn't brake in a corner should really do some research on the subject before you make such uneducated claims.

What is 'uneducated' about telling a new rider to complete their braking in a straight line, before turning?

 

[bigt]

What is 'uneducated' about telling a new rider to complete their braking in a straight line, before turning?

I didn't say it was uneducated to tell a new rider to complete their braking in a straight line before turning. I said it's an uneducated claim to say you shouldn't brake in a corner.

 

[that180guy]

Well dude, its a newbie rider who obviously started the thread.....how is it an undereducated statement that we made when we are, infact, talking to a new rider.

 

[Enchanter]

I didn't say it was uneducated to tell a new rider to complete their braking in a straight line before turning. I said it's an uneducated claim to say you shouldn't brake in a corner.

Why should you brake in a corner? What benefit does it provide when riding on the street?

 

[fubar929]

Why should you brake in a corner? What benefit does it provide when riding on the street?

Why do you think people shouldn't know how to brake in a corner, and thus have the full range of possibilities available to them?

Unfortunately, this is one case where the MSF rhetoric does a disservice to the rider! Yes, ideally you'd always do all of your braking in a straight line, you'd set a suitable corner speed before leaning the bike in, and life would be wonderful. Occasionally, however, the real world intrudes and it's necessary to brake in a corner. MSF even teaches a drill about braking in a corner! As I remember, it goes something like this: stand the bike up, brake in a straight line, run off the road and crash. OK, they don't let you practice that last part but based on personal experience and numerous reports that's what often happens...

In the real world, if I ride into a corner too hot or suddenly see a problem in my path I'm likely to start braking with the bike leaned over if only to gain a bit more time to come up with a plan for avoiding the problem. I consciously shift my vision to the path I want to take while simultaneously pulling smoothly and gently on the front brake. If I feel the bike wanting to stand-up as I apply the brakes, I'll put more pressure on the inside bar to keep the bike traveling on the intended line.

It sounds like the mistake our OP made the following mistakes: 1) he didn't look where he wanted to go, 2) he applied the brakes too abruptly, and 3) he didn't counter-steer the bike to keep it pointed in the right direction.

 

[soggydoo]

i had an incident at a half circle corner. i was leaning and pressing left then grabbed the front brake and pulled firmer as i got deeper into the turn to reduce speed

why did you need to reduce speed?were you drifting? did the turn get sharper as you went through? was there something in the road?

everything except for the latter,all could have been avoided with throttle control

, while gently pressing the rear brake pedal. after doing so, the bike stood upright itself and threw me off my leaning/balance.

in your MSF course they tell you to slow the bike and sit it up.if your in a turn you cant do that remember its all relitive

the bike forced me into a ditch with loose dirt/rough roads and i continue braking.

someone already said it " the bike did exactly what you told it to do"

so i ask what is a better approach to this situation?

slow down get familuar with your bike before you go barreling into turns

 

[fizzerlee]

these tips helps me too

 

[MellowYellow]

trailbraking

do it all the time

if you think you cannot brake while leanded over you better rethink the situation.

proper bike setup will minimize bike standing up and good grip for trailbraking.

 

[Enchanter]

Unfortunately, this is one case where the MSF rhetoric does a disservice to the rider!

Hmm Really?

Here is the MSF 'rhetoric' that you speak of:
It’s important to remember when stopping in a curve that the amount of traction available for braking is reduced. This is because a portion of the total available traction is being used for turning, leaving less traction for braking.
The key to stopping quickly in a curve is to get the motorcycle straight up as soon as possible so that the maximum amount of traction is available for braking. If road and traffic conditions permit, straighten the motorcycle first and “square” the handlebar (center the steering) before the brakes are applied for a maximum-
braking, straight-line stop.
There may be conditions that do not allow straightening first, such as running off
the road in a left-hand curve or dealing with oncoming traffic in a right-hand curve. In such situations, apply the brakes smoothly and gradually. As the lean angle is reduced, more brake pressure can be applied.
It is best at the end of a stop to have the motorcycle straight up. This is the reason to “square” the handlebars near the end of the stop.

The text is quoted out of the BRC Student Handbook. It seems to cover it quite well.

Remember, the BRC is a Basic Riders Course. Trail braking is arguably not a novice friendly skill.

 

[soggydoo]

Remember, the BRC is a Basic Riders Course. Trail braking is arguably not a novice friendly skill.

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