Braking into corners

[Edbear]

There have been a number of threads about riding skills and difficulties but don't recall a particular one concerning this topic. Since getting back into biking I quickly realised - fortunately without coming to grief - that even a 1989 GSX600F has twice the power of the old T500 or the XS750 Special! This meant that I was entering corners rather more quickly than anticipated requiring some heavy braking and leaning to avoid bad things! I've noticed that I can brake very heavily deep into a corner on the 'F' and it's no real drama. The front just digs in and slows me down. I don't touch the rear brake, but am impressed with just how hard I can hit the picks when cranked over! I know it's not recomended practice as a general rule, but would be interested in hearing how others get on when they find they've 'overcooked' a corner?

[MSTRS:Me]

..... how others get on when they find they've 'overcooked' a corner?

Plenty of threads about that....

[beyond]

Hey Edbear, I herald from the days of Suzuki T250 Hustlers and RD350 Yams. Back then those bikes weren't considered slow but the modern machines get up and go and fly a lot quicker. The ergonomics are better, the power is phenomal, the brakes so much better, the chassis up for most you can chuck at them so yeah, course we're going to overcook corners.

But like you, I've found the modern bikes very forgiving. On the old machines, you over cooked a corner and braked hard and the back end would be overtaking the front or you upset the forks enough to get serious wobble and going into a corner like that wasn't pretty.

The modern bikes can take a fair amount of abuse and overcooking before things get pear shaped. Trouble is when they do get pear shaped, you've pushed the blighters to the limit so things get out of hand real quick like.

But it is amazing how much you can brake into a corner and how hard without things going to bad until you are right on the limit. Of course, it's best to get your serious braking done before the corner so the bike is handling as much lateral force as the suspension will allow, but we all over cook corners from time to time. 99% of the time, the bike will handle it. I think we can panic a bit though and make things worse than they would have been.

Sometimes it's best to stand her up for a second, grab a handful to slow her down and toss her in again. Beats looking at the scenery a bit closer than you wanted to eh? I've had a closer look at the roadside than I've wanted to a couple of times cos I had the heat too high and even then I was amazed at what the bike will take when going off road.

[Edbear]

Yeah, my first bike was a B31 BSA and it was rather difficult to "overcook" that! The T500 was fast enough and with drum brakes I rode according to its ability to stop! The GSX accelerates a lot faster than I've ever been used to and the first 'incident' came while playing with a fast car over the Waiwera hill. Got to the top and realised just how sharp that corner can be! Gave me a wake up!

[Clivoris]

Keith Code is Yoda to the Jedi Knights of motorcycling, when it comes to sorting this stuff out. The problem is the gap between theory and reality, that needs to be filled with practice. Practicing correct technique etc instead of practicing/repeating our mistakes.

[Skyryder]

Don't know 'bout the race track but on the road if you have to brake after you have entered the corner you have come in to fast. I don't mind leaning over and powering out but theother way round..............sooner or later you will bin.

Slyryder

[Korea]

On the road, brake a little earlier and set your speed for the corner in advance if you can. Don't charge the corners~
On the track, trail braking (where you're braking late and into the corner) might be good for a daring overtake on the track but the key is setting your corner entry speed right in advance.

You can't make significant time improvements by using the brakes harder or going in deeper. You can make time with the brakes by adjusting the cornering speeds accurately.

[roogazza]

I'm a corner speed bloke and have always been a heavy trail braker. Probably coming from my earlier days of H2's and Z1's ? I notice a lot nowdays don't do this , but it is really natural for me.
Kenny Robert Snr, and Doohan were big back brake users , Doohan using a thumb brake on the left handlebar. I think you have to work at it though, as its very easy to apply too much rear.

Gaz.

[paturoa]

Modern tyres make a big difference too. 20 or 30 years ago you just couldn't brake as hard as u can now or you'd be looking at a low side.

[Motu]

The modern bikes can take a fair amount of abuse and overcooking before things get pear shaped. Trouble is when they do get pear shaped, you've pushed the blighters to the limit so things get out of hand real quick like.

If this is so how hard are all these relatively new riders who crash on this forum pushing it?? Scary to think these bikes are so fantastic in the handling and braking department....and yet they are dropping like flies.

[bladez]

There have been a number of threads about riding skills and difficulties but don't recall a particular one concerning this topic. Since getting back into biking I quickly realised - fortunately without coming to grief - that even a 1989 GSX600F has twice the power of the old T500 or the XS750 Special! This meant that I was entering corners rather more quickly :

ahhh the nice t500 had a ride on one bloody good bikes now when i overcook a corner which is often i use the back break to help me get around read a mag on wayne gardener and how to break on corners but thats just one way every body rides diffrent just test a way you fell comfy with

[Lord Derosso]

Hi Edbear. I agree with you re the 600F but I haven't ridden mine more than about 500kms so far and have only been up the Rimatukus once and a few times around the Porirua inlet which has very tight and narrow roads with fast cagers cutting the corners. I soon came to realise the same thing. Modern bikes are so much easlier to ride its very very easy to forget how fast you really are approaching corners and several times I have needed to hit those excellent front brakes to avoid cutting over into the other lane or worse. I am still getting the hang of the bike and though I have good gear I still need proper armoured pants so I am a bit loath to risk hitting the deck at any cost so tend to keep within my current limitations. Not that anyone want's to bin of course. Having new rubber, speed demons, does help. I am quite happy with the Katana and she does everything I want from a bike and look forward to a good long 2 week tour approx April next year. Cheers

[Edbear]

Yeah, I've never had a bike with such good brakes either! Nearly overshot a T - intersection the other weekend and despite my weight I think I nearly did a stoppie! I'm running Metzlers, an ME33 Laser front and the update of the 55 on the rear. They grip well and have given me no dramas. I've done just over 9,000km since I bought the bike and am getting quite confident now, pushing a bit harder and exploring the limits while trying to improve my skills. HAd a good ride with Busapete et al last weekend and it was good to be able to observe them. I've got all the gear with the modern soft armour, but I still ride to avoid an "off" as I don't much like pain!

[Skyryder]

On the road, brake a little earlier and set your speed for the corner in advance if you can. Don't charge the corners~
On the track, trail braking (where you're braking late and into the corner) might be good for a daring overtake on the track but the key is setting your corner entry speed right in advance.

This man's knows what's it all about...............setting your corner entry speed in advance.

Skyryder

[Motu]

Yep,corner entry is the most important part of the corner - everything after that is damage control,in other words...you fucked it up.There is a lot of stuff to put together before you turn in,to me it's the most important part of the corner.This 2 stroke is giving me some bad habits...no engine braking,so it's easy to overshoot,but equaly easy to brake midcorner.