Akaroa GP rant

**Gremlin** · 9th March 2016, 08:43

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Lots of folk are just riding. No plan, just riding. Those are either ones taking risks they don't even know they are taking. Or maybe they do, and just don't care, as they are having fun.

That's where an element of bad habits slip in. You do it a little and get away with it, then keep doing it. If they take up some regular training (because it should be viewed as ongoing) hopefully those risks are identified and eliminated.

Of course, then we get back to the ol chestnut... usually those most in need of training aren't the ones seeking it...

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 09:08

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Of course, then we get back to the ol chestnut... usually those most in need of training aren't the ones seeking it...

Zackery. All it takes to be a fantastic rider is a road legal race bike, and a set of leathers, boots, helmets and gloves just like Valentino's.

Hearing ya Grem.

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 09:10

Originally Posted by cassina

So what is trail braking? Its possible I do it already but have never heard of the term. .

Trail braking used to be quite common.

There used to be a category of bikes called trail bikes. The brakes were used for trail braking.

Now we call them endures, dual sports, moto cross bikes, and Shazam, trail braking has faded away.

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 09:19

It's my thread and I'll be frivolous if I want to.

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 09:45

Originally Posted by cassina

So then is it the difference between offroad braking and braking on tar seal?

Google it. You'll find lots of different answers.

I am not a racer. Never have been. When I Googled it I found lots of racing references and front brake advice.

My own version of trail braking is to use the rear for increased slow speed control. I trail the brake to gain greater control and maneuverability.

I was taking the mick with the trail bike reference. Couldn't help myself.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

**trufflebutter** · 9th March 2016, 10:05

Originally Posted by rastuscat

Google it. You'll find lots of different answers.

I am not a racer. Never have been. When I Googled it I found lots of racing references and front brake advice.

My own version of trail braking is to use the rear for increased slow speed control. I trail the brake to gain greater control and maneuverability.

I was taking the mick with the trail bike reference. Couldn't help myself.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

I slightly load/cover the rear brake, primarily in any down hill situation. Personally, I find that it helps seat the bike better when used in conjunction with the front brake.

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 10:14

Originally Posted by trufflebutter

I slightly load/cover the rear brake, primarily in any down hill situation. Personally, I find that it helps seat the bike better when used in conjunction with the front brake.

My personal rules for braking in corners look like this. Especially when coming downhill.

Rule 1 for braking in corners: Don't do it.

Rule 1A : If Rule 1 for braking in corners is inappropriate, gentle application of the rear brake is the key.

Rule 1B for braking in corners is use a gear lower than usual, employ the higher revs to generate back pressure, and use steady throttle control to deploy the pressure. Using good control of the revs and engine braking means I get to comply with Rule 1.

Most folk don't use the full rev range of their bike. Mine is happily normally running (at Corporal Jones pace, my standard) at up to 4000 revs, but the red line is at 9000. When using engine braking a choose a gear that takes me up to around 7, 7 tops.

Basically, weight transfer in corners is not our friend. Weight transfer can come from the brakes (front brake, massive weight transfer), acceleration or deceleration. Pre the sight line opening up I don't accelerate, decelerate or brake much at all. My speed is adjusted pre corner.

Acceleration happens once my corner opens out.

Just my musings.

**george formby** · 9th March 2016, 10:19

Originally Posted by rastuscat

My own version of trail braking is to use the rear for increased slow speed control. I trail the brake to gain greater control and maneuverability.

I was taking the mick with the trail bike reference. Couldn't help myself.

Sent from my SM-N920I using Tapatalk

Learning to keep a steady throttle and use the rear brake to control attitude and speed when crushing cones in a car park was a revelation for me. Hello full lock turns. Handy on the road, too, when you come across one of those never ending downhill hairpin bends. Using a touch of rear brake continues to slow the bike but it still tips in smoothly.

Their is a KB'er who has posted pics of a chainsaw on his bike when he goes bush bashing. The ultimate trail breaker?

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 10:21

Originally Posted by george formby

Learning to keep a steady throttle and use the rear brake to control attitude and speed when crushing cones in a car park was a revelation for me. Hello full lock turns. Handy on the road, too, when you come across one of those never ending downhill hairpin bends. Using a touch of rear brake continues to slow the bike but it still tips in smoothly.

It was the Popo training that taught me to be a Slow Pro.

Anyone can point a bike down a striaght bit of road and open the throttle. Turning a 300 kg bike on a dime takes real skill.

**george formby** · 9th March 2016, 10:23

Originally Posted by rastuscat

It was the Popo training that taught me to be a Slow Pro.

Anyone can point a bike down a striaght bit of road and open the throttle. Turning a 300 kg bike on a dime takes real skill.

LOL. Yup. Spent the last 3 years doing gymkhana stuff. Cannot recommend it highly enough for learning bike control. Oh, you forgot balls. Even if it's not your bike.

**rastuscat** · 9th March 2016, 10:27

Originally Posted by george formby

LOL. Yup. Spent the last 3 years doing gymkhana stuff. Cannot recommend it highly enough for learning bike control. Oh, you forgot balls. Even if it's not your bike.

I qualified in 2006.

We were terribly hard on clutches and brakes back then, making up for lack of ability by thrashing the bike.

It takes a while, but eventually your skill increases, and the grey area filling the clutch/throttle/rear brake triangle becomes your friend.

You get far better, and the bike benefits by being your friend, not your thrash-toy.

That gymkhana stuff is gold.

**Moi** · 9th March 2016, 10:29

Originally Posted by rastuscat

My personal rules for braking in corners look like this. Especially when coming downhill...

This is worth downloading: from the Norwegian Motorcycle Union "FullControl"

Explains the science as well as...

**Moi** · 9th March 2016, 10:31

Originally Posted by rastuscat

It was the Popo training that taught me to be a Slow Pro.

Anyone can point a bike down a striaght bit of road and open the throttle. Turning a 300 kg bike on a dime takes real skill.

Might be more use in Wellywood... but certainly impresive