Trail Brakeing - A Question for the Racers!

[JerryXt]

Originally Posted by Gilps

I never ever use the rear brake on track, it's just too unpredictable. The only use for the rear brake on track is when you get into the kitty litter or on the grass.

hahahaha - I saw exactly that at Rockingham - I was being shown around by the instructor when we were passed on the grass by a bloke on a suzuki desperately tryig to stop before the kitty litter using only the rear brake. The instructor and I sat up to watch the bloke topple into the gravel at about 10mph. Funniest thing all year!

[NedLudd]

Originally Posted by Gilps

I never ever use the rear brake on track, it's just too unpredictable. The only use for the rear brake on track is when you get into the kitty litter or on the grass.

I know what you mean, I think, but pro riders use the rear brake quite often to settle the rear don't they? I remember all the stuff about Doohan having to have a thumb-operated rear brake because of his leg injury, which implies he thought it was worth having one.

[Gilps]

Originally Posted by NedLudd

I know what you mean, I think, but pro riders use the rear brake quite often to settle the rear don't they? I remember all the stuff about Doohan having to have a thumb-operated rear brake because of his leg injury, which implies he thought it was worth having one.

I think you are right. I'm no way good enough to start playing around with the rear though. I think it is used to back the bike in at the last second so as to give it a straighter line on the exit, or something like that.

[Grib_]

The back brake thing is a whole different topic! I used to be completely against it, having grown up on sportsbikes that are already standing on their noses and don't seem to appreciate the back brake under hard braking. But the Multi is completely different. I used to ride it with just the front brake all the time and it could tie itself in some strange shaped knots into the corners if you'd got a bit carried away. Using the back brake as well has calmed it right down and now it's so much easier to go quicker on it I've never, ever tried it on the track, I might have a little go next time out, see what happens