MotoGP Braking Techniques with Kevin Schwantz

[soto]

Forum Sponsor

Try doing U-TURNS with throttle control and see what your turning radius is.

now do the same while adding rear brake, you'll cut your turning radius in half.

This is definitely true, but how does it work? I'm guessing steering getting steeper and wheelbase shorter? Still I wouldn't have expected that noticeable a change from those factors.

 

[Shaman]

Yahbut... when I'm in the corner I have neutral throttle to the apex if I've got the corner entry right... a little bit less throttle and you have the equivalent of braking... guess I'll see what I can do with it, since I'm not in the habit. I do use the rear brake at stoplights and to tighten a line doing u-turns... and I almost always slide into a parking spot...

 

[invictus43]

I never use the rear brake..wish I could..probably should practice. Just don't have the skillz.. It's funny, when MTB'ing, I'm all over the rear brake. I think I started motorcycles too late in life.. :-(

 

[reciprocity]

... a little bit less throttle and you have the equivalent of braking...

no you don't.

 

[rmemedic]

Next time you're at a stop light, apply just front brake and let the clutch out to the friction point. Notice how the bike "dives".
Then try it with the rear brake only, notice how it squats down.... This is what it does to the rear suspension, and allows the rear end to tighten in.

With MX, sometimes you're on the throttle in a deep rutted turn and dragging the front brake to keep the front end settled in to the rut so you don't cross out of it, seems really weird to do when you're learning it.

 

[gtm]

recip, do you have any issues with the things mentioned in the twist of the wrist series?

 

[MacDoc]

Inv

I never use the rear brake..wish I could..probably should practice. Just don't have the skillz.. It's funny, when MTB'ing, I'm all over the rear brake. I think I started motorcycles too late in life.. :sad:

First time you get in unexpected gravel etc you will wish you practiced.....take some runs on local dirt roads and
a) enjoy what you don't usually see
b) learn your rear brake

 

[vrus]

First time you get in unexpected gravel etc you will wish you practiced.....take some runs on local dirt roads and
a) enjoy what you don't usually see
b) learn your rear brake

I have used just the front in unexpected gravel,dirt off road with good results

 

[dricked]

So you got lucky then or you have dirt tires.

 

[MacDoc]

Yup - street tire and front brakes on gravel or mud = oh ****!!!!!....

Packed dirt is okay - it's the loose slippy stuff that will do you in.

 

[mmmnaked]

This is definitely true, but how does it work? I'm guessing steering getting steeper and wheelbase shorter? Still I wouldn't have expected that noticeable a change from those factors.

When you're turning, the bike is almost 'pivoting' around its center point. If you slow the rear wheel, the front wheel 'tucks' inwards. Slow the front down and it wants to push wide. This is why when you're still on your front brake into a turn, you need to work harder to keep the bike leaned over. When the front brake is applied, the bike naturally wants to stand up and go wide. Opposite is true of the rear brake.

Same goes if you slow your rear wheels in a car by using the handbrake lightly... the car pivots tighter around its center because the rear wheels are dragging while the fronts still want to maintain speed.

 

[Zaneris]

Well if your rear wheel is losing contact with the pavement during braking, why would you bother using the rear brake? You won't get any braking at best and at worst you'll flatspot the tire or go into a skid.

Not that my own bike has front brakes nearly powerful enough to do that. I notice a significant decrease in stopping distance when I use the rear brakes, travelling at mere mortal speed.

Looking at your posts, looks like you have a CBR 250?
You can easily bring the rear tire off the ground while braking if you wanted to

Forum Sponsor