Quote:
Originally Posted by randomwalk101
Most of crashes (rider's fault) occurs in corner. Mostly hitting them too fast. So when you enter a corner a little too fast, what do you do?
Lean more?
Rear brake?
Engine brake?
Soft front brake?
Abandon bike and bail?
Pray?
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This is Shane (Not Kit)
If you enter a corner hot, have good trajectory, and have room to adjust I recommend you trail.
Trail braking is not the easiest thing to learn but is something that anyone can try once you trust your basic skills and the bike you are riding. Some riders trail with the rear brake (Typically Offroad First Riders who are very familiar with rear braking in loose traction) but it is more common with road racers to use the front brake to trail.
Trailing the brakes lightly with even just the weight of your first two fingers on the brake lever will cause enough drag on the lever to create resistance in the brake system from the pads dragging on the rotors (Keep in mind the rotors are almost touching even when not being used).
This drag is enough to slow the bike and the result is a tighter turn. The decrease in the arch of your radius brings the bike back into a course you prefer and once you are back on course you can get maintain throttle and prepare to accelerate out of the corner.
If you have questions about the technique, check Keith Code's instructional videos.