Trail Braking Tutorial

[darrell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh4ipopUkKk

[Grumpy Goat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh4ipopUkKk

Decent video, which I have not seen before. Here is one by Nick Ienatsch which I also found quite good: https://youtu.be/Wvrgn5akOm4

When I took my MSF course the principal instructor was a Harley rider, and much of the information that he passed on was from the POV of riding a Harley, and frankly was plain wrong for riders of conventional motorcycles. Trail braking was a definite "no-no" and something to avoid at all costs.

Now I understand that the course was targeted at newbies so they don't want people to grab a fistful of front brake entering a curve or in a curve itself. Point is, for many people these thoughts would have influenced their muscle memory and habits so that there would be much misconception out there which would require much evangelizing by these rider coaches as noted above.

The RS (and BMW motorcycles with linked brakes in general) is very accommodating with trail braking and I have found that I did it even before I was formally aware of what the technique was called. It was nice to discover that it was a "thing" and I was not doing anything wrong. I am sure that my trail braking technique is not perfect, but it works great for me (except on gravel! ).

[Olgry1]

Thanks Darrell.

I just finished watching the video. He had a lot to try and cover in a 22 minute video.

A few years ago I used trail braking somewhat similar to what he was advising. The downside of trail braking for me was more front tire wear and cupping of the front tire.

Currently I use higher throttle settings entering corners and then monitor lane position and adjust as need while smoothly rolling on or off the throttle as needed. For me this technique seems to work well in blind unfamiliar corners.

[Grumpy Goat]

The downside of trail braking for me was more front tire wear and cupping of the front tire.

Yep, I noticed that too, although the Roadsmart 3s do a good job of resisting the cupping; much better than the Pilot Road 4.

[Lee]

When we took the CLASS course with Reg and Jason Pridmore they spent a lot of time on this braking technique.
When you use the throttle and front brake lever at the same time as shown at the 6 to 7 minute mark of the video it's easier to be smooth.
I don't remember them calling it trail braking but that was 30 years ago.

[Ray]

When we took the CLASS course with Reg and Jason Pridmore they spent a lot of time on this braking technique.
When you use the throttle and front brake lever at the same time as shown at the 6 to 7 minute mark of the video it's easier to be smooth.
I don't remember them calling it trail braking but that was 30 years ago.

Right - 20 y ago - heading into the corner - a little rear brake to set the bike up, then front brake while simultaneously blipping the throttle and pumping the clutch for rapid, multiple downshifts, and then gradually easing off the front brake into the first part of the turn while cracking the throttle maintain ground clearance....

Now, with our dual brake activation and modern electronics, which in 2021 even modulates engine braking, I don't feel nearly as busy or incompetent getting into the corners.

(A little surprised that with his knowledge and education background, he couldn't have produced a more efficient script and engaging presentation.)

I caught MOAs interview last night, with Dylan Code. Always enjoy listening to smart guys who have spent a lifetime thinking about how to maximize performance on 2 wheels. (No hesitation, uhh's or errr's.)