Learning lines

[Winston001]

Hmmmm call me oldfashioned but using an engine as a brake is a far more expensive option than wearing out a couple of brake pads.

Using a v-twin, engine braking is certainly effective and normal. Can't see a multi being quite so reliable though. In fact, I know of a guy who died, riding my mate's Bol D'Or: it is thought that being used to engine braking on his own bike, he got caught out when the Honda didn't slow on a corner.

I deliberately brake before a corner if I need to wash off speed so I can change down to a better gear. Been caught out once with the rear wheel locking and hopping on a quick change-down. Very startling.

[Racin Jason]

I suggest reading "A Twist of the Wrist" #1 Some of the topics are advanced but theirs only good advice to take on board. Riding a bike is 90% mental

[sinfull]

Riding a bike is 90% mental

Wooohooo i'm 90% there !

[GrayWolf]

Heya

I've not been riding long and have just learned that all the advice that has been given to me in the past has been incorrect . I need to learn how to corner properly - lines, breaking points blah blah blah. Can anyone help????

I think there are several factors to consider Billie
Road/track riding days. Both can have their merit however, a track has a predictable surface, no obstructions, like hedges and cliff walls on the inside of a corner you cant see round. The other CRITICAL difference is, you are all going the SAME DIRECTION. No sudden wally in a HolEVord SS/FPV Turbo Nutter Bastard halfway over the centre line at 100k plus in the opposite direction. You'll also take different lines to the road. It will teach you your 'limits of skill' and how your bike reacts in a 'safe-ish' environment.
Road courses will teach you survival skills and defensive/assertive (not Agressive) riding.
Riding style will account for a lot of how you corner. I prefer a smooth in and out line. others prefer to rush up to the corner, brake hard, drop down the box and scream through and out of the apex, full bore acceleration (oh Fuuuuuuuuck grin) to repeat the operation at the next corner.
. Faster? maybe, but a fucking lot of effort for it. Ride to your ability, not others. The reality is that, if everyone was so shit hot riders on 1000cc plus bikes? We'd all be called Mike (the bike) Hailwood. Or Mr Rossi, for you young 'uns.
Full bore into, through and out of a corner leaves NO tolerance for error and no tolerance of others stupidity on the road. Race tracks have Marshals to warn of oil spills, break downs, wreckage on the track. On the road on a blind corner at full tit? you'll hit it. If you watch the high level racers, they tend to be smooth through bends. You can 'go for it' enjoy the rush of really being cranked over and leaving everyone else in your exaust, or think about braking distance at a given speed, view roung the bend, vanishing points, camber etc and ride with a margin of 'safety' for an unforseen 'event' just out of sight. Try hitting a dead possum in the middle of you line on a corner. Not Nice!
I mention Mike Hailwood for two reasons.
1)Mr Rossi has never won the TT, this is the 'Bathurst of the motorcycle racing world'. It is a 60k plus per lap, road circuit that includes twisty narrow mountain roads and narrow village streets ridden at racing speeds and throws in differing temperatures, moisture and surface conditions all in one lap. The style of race riding will be very different to track riding.
2)Mike Hailwood is the only man to ever retire from bike riding, be temtped several years later by Ducati to ride a bike that year for the TT, and win it. Such was the mans ability and skill. It is worth watching a video of how Mr. Hailwood rode his bikes.