Quote:
Originally Posted by Berlin
And in the same way you don't whip the trottle open when fully over you don't grab a handful of brake when fully over, but you *can* use a lot more than you'd think. Like the power at the back, you use it in smoothly.
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Agreed, on a dry road, but you shouldn't have to unless something changes in front of you that forces you to slow down mid corner. Better lean further over than use the brakes if you have clear road in front of you. If you have to brake do it gradually and if the bike starts to stand up, push it back down again.
Sounds simple, but every time I've had to do it I've just about had kittens. Trouble I've always had with braking mid corner that is knowing how much grip you have left. And you're already usually a bit unhappy/nervous about whatever it is that forced you to slow down in the first place.
Obviously if it slides away completely your off and you hope you leathers do the job and you slide to a stop without hitting anything.
But what I always fear more is a little skip of the front tyre. I suppose its because I don't know how I would handle the bike in that scenario. The front end is already loaded under braking and the bike already unsettled. As the tyre skips the forks decompress, then recompress again when the tyre regrips, the bike tries to stand up and the bars wag as your still holding the brake lever. See my point? How do you keep that bike upright (other than sheer luck)? And if you don't manage it are you going to highside? Lowside? And in which direction? That's why I have kittens whenever I'm forced to brake and lean at the same time. There's something in my brain that immediately knows this is not good.
Having said all that, every time I have had to do it I've been fine and the tyre has gripped OK.
Maybe someone with race experience or an advanced instructor can give us more insight?
I don't think I'd be touching the front brake at all if I was far enough over to wear off a bit of chicken strip though. I'm not usually that far over in situations where I'd need to. I managed to get rid of the chicken strips on the back tyre completely this summer, but thats on tighter bends and roundabouts. If I touch my toes down at illegal speeds it's usually come as a surprise!