Slowing in a turn.

[elephant head]

So I was driving (my truck to school) and from 59N to I-10west there is a long winding turn. As I was coming around the turn, the cars in front of me started to slow down, it made me wonder, how do I slow down in a turn like that on a bike? In MSF they tell you to Slow, Look, Press and Roll, but they never said anything about slowing down in a turn. They did teach us how to emergency stop while in a turn though. But I was looking for more slowing in a turn, granted that you slowed to the best entry speed.

I read somewhere on msfgroup.org that you can use engine braking or slightly the rear brake. Can someone chime in?

[DANtheMan.]

???
Thats why you slow down and get to the speed that you want before you enter the turn.

Or if your in the turn let go of the gas and keep pushing on the bars if you need to push more dont be afraid... :eek3:

P.S nice avatar!!! LMFAO!

[level5]

let go of the throttle and gently apply front brake and/or rear brake slightly. How hard can it be to park in the turns? I have seen plenty of noobs at the track doing this, me included.:keke:

[JMAC]

You should have downshifted before turn with rpm's way up, roll off throttle to engine brake and at same time apply brakes gently.

[elephant head]

Awesome, I figured it was just that easy :keke:

[Intermission]

That's the one thing I think MSF doesn't really teach well. They only teach for best case scenarios.

[Unleaded_Buell]

That's the one thing I think MSF doesn't really teach well. They only teach for best case scenarios.

Agreed, and max speed 20 mph at that. Still, the low speed handling and swerving is valuable for side street riding.

[Angamico]

The MSF video I watch (see it occasionally:keke:) says something along the lines of applying brakes gradually as you bring the bike upright, making sure your handlebars are square as you come to a stop. I always use the freeway interchange ramp as a specific example of this after the range exercise for stopping quickly in a curve.:shrug:

[Scorpio]

don't be afraid to use the brakes in a turn.
Just be smooth with your actions.
If you stab the brakes, you have a better chance of breaking the tires loose.

[Angamico]

don't be afraid to use the brakes in a turn.
Just be smooth with your actions.
If you stab the brakes, you have a better chance of breaking the tires loose.

... but if you need to stop quickly, get the bike upright before you go for full braking. If you apply brakes while leaned over, the feedback that you weren't smooth enough is usually an immediate smack on the pavement.

[Scorpio]

... but if you need to stop quickly, get the bike upright before you go for full braking. If you apply brakes while leaned over, the feedback that you weren't smooth enough is usually an immediate smack on the pavement.


Yes, forgot to add that. Thanks. :thumb:
Always leave yourself room if possible.

[Angamico]

Yes, forgot to add that. Thanks. :thumb:
Always leave yourself room if possible.

So did I (in my original post).:D


Another place you will find you need to slow in corners is downtown. Dang pedestrians are always exercising their right of way to cross with the light while I'm cornering!:)

[Moody]

The term is trail braking; not recommended on the streets but useful when necessary.

[Bean]

usually right the bike as much as possible (straighten up), engine brake (roll off throttle), and apply front brake (not a fistful, but let her know who daddy is!) as needed...no cookie cutter design as each curve/stop will be different...just need to practice - suggest a parking lot (empty)

Have you experienced an emergency stop in a straightaway at 30mph? 50mph? *in a controlled environment* Work on that first, then go into the turn scenario and apply what you just practiced.

[elephant head]

don't be afraid to use the brakes in a turn.
Just be smooth with your actions.
If you stab the brakes, you have a better chance of breaking the tires loose.Does it matter which brake?

[gsxrjai]

In www.sportrider.com April 2009 issue on page 88 is a good article about CONTROLLING YOUR ARC WITH THE THROTTLE...

I still have problems with cornering, after my go done last year.

[RACER X]

usually right the bike as much as possible (straighten up), engine brake (roll off throttle), and apply front brake (not a fistful, but let her know who daddy is!) as needed...no cookie cutter design as each curve/stop will be different...just need to practice - suggest a parking lot (empty)

Have you experienced an emergency stop in a straightaway at 30mph? 50mph? *in a controlled environment* Work on that first, then go into the turn scenario and apply what you just practiced.

i like his answer da best!

[Texas94fs]

Gradually is the key word. Don't just muscle it or you will be having a not so friendly chat with Mr. Pavement. You hit the rear too hard it will slide out and you will be fishtailing or eating pavement. The front too hard and you will typically go directly into the ground. I like to lightly drag the rear and gradually tighten on the front as i bring the bike as upright as possible. IF that ain't doin i use the rear more, Im more comfortable with fishtailing so long as the grade of the turn isn't steep. All this while engine braking.

[texlurch]

Try not to chop the throttle or jump on the brakes. Letting off the gas puts more weight on the front tire that is loaded pretty well already. You want the bike to stay as stable as possible while leaned over. If you are in the corner with the gas lightly on, you can smoothly apply either brake (I prefer the front as I have a better feel), without letting off the gas. You shouldn't be coasting into and thru turns anyhow.... set your entry speed then use a light, steady "maintenance" throttle to maintain the speed in the corner. Basic physics will cause the bike to slow down if you are off the gas....

One thing you will immediately note if you brake is the bike will want to stand up and go straight. You can use some countersteer to continue the turn, while braking smoothly.

This is something you have to practice and get comfortable with. Don't wait until it is a panic situation and then try to learn.

It also goes hand in hand with learning the habit of riding with a couple fingers on the brake and clutch... the definition of habits is things you do without extra thought process.

[dbuck]

usually right the bike as much as possible (straighten up), engine brake (roll off throttle), and apply front brake (not a fistful, but let her know who daddy is!) as needed...no cookie cutter design as each curve/stop will be different...just need to practice - suggest a parking lot (empty)

Have you experienced an emergency stop in a straightaway at 30mph? 50mph? *in a controlled environment* Work on that first, then go into the turn scenario and apply what you just practiced.

who was your maestro? Sounds like you know what you're talking about ;) :rofl:

Now let's get that M class thing out of the way already.:thumb:

[Redux]

As posted before, straighten up and brake noramal in a tight situation, make another small turn, straighten up, brake, etc

[MudBug]

just hammer the gas and pass on the shoulder.

[Somebody1010]

braking in a turn can be done just like trail braking on the track. Your not going that fast and leaned that far on the streets to beable to use some front brake.

[Costas]

i just straighten the bike up and slam on the brakes. i'm always on the inside of the turn so when i do straighten up i have lotsa braking room. worked great for me so far, but of course the same methods don't work good with everyone so i guess try out different things.

[spartandude]

It really breaks down to physics.
How much traction do you have (gravel, sand, leaves, water, or nice dry asphault)? You only have a certain amount of force that each wheel can give so in a turn a lot of force is needed to change direction (thanks Newton). You have less than a normal amount available for slowing in a turn (hence MSF teaches to straightening before hard breaking).
Where is your weight transferred to (even distribution if you are not slowing or accelerating)? When you engine break or apply the rear brake the bike will slow down transfering weight to the front tire. This transfer will give more downward force and allow more decelleration/cornering force to be applied to the front tire (read don't hit the front break hard before the weight transfer). This helps for emergency stops, but be careful as this can screw you in a turn. This is because the center of mass of your bike is not in a direct line to the center of the earth. So some of the "weight" transfer in a turn will actually have to be countered by a lateral force from the tire so you won't have all of the breaking force that you would have in a straight line.
I dumped my bike with this. Not fun.
If you break traciton on the front you are pretty much out of luck. If you break traction on the rear you can turn with the skid and recover (don't let off the rear break if you do skid as this can high side you and trust me you don't want that).
+1 to practice.
+1 to smooth.
Pay attention as well. Look through the corner and anticipate the problem well before your action is needed.
Peace.

[brandontx]

Slowly let off throttle and give it some brake. You will be slowing down at this point so the slower you get the less lean you need for a given turn. Given this you will want to brake light at first and progressively harder as the bike naturally straightens.