If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide. - The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you. - The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills. In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more. By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills. www.MCrider.com/Member
After recently watching your videos, including this one, I was practicing trail braking for the first time today on a very curvy road (30 mph turns) with poor visibility around some of the turns. I was getting the hang of it after awhile and on what appeared to be a car-less section of road coming around a bend. Suddenly in front of me a line of cars were at a dead stop. I immediately further squeezed the brake gently and straightened the bike, stopping with room to spare and zero loss of tire traction. It really worked perfectly. Thanks Kevin for all the helpful riding tips!
I've had a very hard time wrapping my head around trial braking after watching several videos with good folks trying to explain it. It's not complicated, but the initial sum of questions is a bit daunting at first to grasp the applied concepts accurately. This video right here checked all of the boxes I've been looking for. On behalf of all aspiring & growing riders out there, we sincerely appreciate your dedication to quality education. This will save lives! As such, I am a proud supporter of MCRider on Patreon. Keep up the fantastic work. Thank you Kevin, and the entire MCRider team!
same here, questions with trail braking as it just interferes with throttle maintaining during lean, does not feel natural to hold both brake and gas... Guess I just got used to break precise and just enough before the corner and then if I continue using slight brake while inside of corner I just happen to slow down too much, and then I need additional throttle in middle of corner which is not good... Seriously I try to use this , exercise and find the benefits of it, still looks like it was easier without... I get the point of more control inside corner and braking further if must, but have hard time finding the entry speed now as I suppose I cant enter corner with exact speed as I did before without trail brake, need to enter it faster if I want to continue braking ?
Every video I have watched talks about the benefits of trail braking without going into exactly how to do it. Best video that I have seen on it here. Thanks for posting this.
Every time I thought of a missing piece of information or something I didn't understand, you addressed with your next sentence. Excellent. Best video on trail braking!
Thank you so much for your care that you put into your instruction Kevin. I've been riding since the late 1970's, but never with this type of knowledge. I'm 59 now and I want to be as safe as I possibly can. I'm taking the turnpike home today and will definitely practice trail braking on the pristine corners provided by the turnpike. I also go to a nearby parking lot to practice. By the way, one of my co-workers was rear-ended in her car yesterday while she was stopped at a traffic light. For me this means I will always leave plenty of distance in front of me when stopped at a light, watch my mirrors, and have an escape route ready. Ride to live, live to ride.
Okay this is by far the best video on trail braking I have seen yet. Especially with the live demonstration in the parking lot. With all this talk on trail braking and without seeing this demonstration it all had me thinking this was some sort of a new concept to cornering and after seeing this I realized it is something I have already been doing for many years. Funny how recently I have just now noticed it mentioned as such. It all had me thinking that it sounds so dangerous and if I had not seen this I would have forever wondered what I had been missing when I haven't been missing anything all along. Thank You so much for including this ride in the parking lot demonstration added to the classroom instruction!
Trail breaking has really helped boost my confidence when cornering. By lightly and steadily applying the front brake only enough allows more control of your speed and control of the bike as needed. Thank you for this video 😊.
been doing that technique for a couple of months now and I can definitely say that trail braking helps a lot not just when attacking corners but also for becoming a safer rider
Kevin, I know this is nitpicking, but I hear it so often and it drives me nuts; "front braking increases the size of the contact patch and thereby increases traction". Ask any physicist/engineer and you will learn that friction/traction has nothing to do with area. There are exactly two factors in friction, the coefficient of friction between the two materials and the normal force between the two materials; area is not a factor in friction. As you have described, applying the front brake shifts weight to the front tire and does increase the size of the contact patch, but it is the increased weight (normal force) that increases the traction! I love your videos; I am back on two wheels after being off for over forty years and I constantly increase my riding skills and safety watching your vids! I frequently ride NW Arkansas and I have been experimenting with trail braking for a while; it really helps me get through the twisties with more speed and confidence!!
@@joshharrison2657 But, you solved a quandary that has been puzzling me for 25 years, since I first learned about the physics of friction. I grew up in the sixties with muscle cars and some of the biggest names in drag racing; I'm a big NASCAR fan as well as a fan of Indy and World of Outlaw. I know how friction works, but I also know that big slicks make way more traction than narrower tires! How can that be?? Adhesion! Adhesion is quite a different animal. Its behavior is much more complex than friction, and in racing, it is essential. Adhesion is the reason for all the different tire compounds that the tire manufacturers bring to the different tracks and surface types (asphalt/concrete/dirt, etc.). Friction is a big factor in racing, as well. Its the reason for wings, spoilers, splitters, etc. Increasing friction/traction by increasing down pressure on the vehicle, but I have been overlooking adhesion. Thanks for pointing that out!
Excellent video Kevin, especially your specific information about HOW to trail brake correctly. Many riders know the advantages of this technique, but are uncertain about how to do it, and worried about too much brake while leaned over, and crashing. You've clarified the whole matter nicely.
Thanks Kevin, I went on a "short" 200 mile today and applying trail braking, I was able to keep up with my riding buddy who happens to be a police officer with tons of experience, pro stock racer as well. He called me captain slow for the longest. Today he was like, "bruh whatever you are doing keep it up, you were right behind me all the time." I told him I was trail braking. There is another blogger I have to thank for this, I was able to come in hot and there maneuver the bike feeling vey comfortable. That said I had a "sphincter moment" where for some reason I tried giving the breaks some squeeze while keep accelerating the bike. What an awful feeling of losing control. I was lucky I was going relatively slow and gained control of my bike. So that is a no-no.
I'm from Fort Worth, but I'm doing a bit of work up here in Reno Nv...and brought my Indian w/me. Last w/e I drove into Lake Tahoe on the Old Rose Hwy....lots of twists and turns up and down the mountain...and I tried a little of both (based on last weeks video). It's a two lane highway....and I could sense a difference w/the speed and turns. I still prefer to adjust my speed before entering, and then accelerating as I get past mid point and while exiting.
New rider here. It seems to me that trail braking is a fundamental skill. Why then does it also seem (having watched dozens of crash videos) that so many riders have zero idea what trail braking is? Or that so many still believe that braking in corners is basically suicide? (P.S. Props on the quality and professionalism of your vids. You help keep us all safe on the mean streets, amigo!)
Kevin the magician! Great video. I am a multi-decades rider with my only learning by doing; self taught. About 60 years of riding from scooters, dirt, performance and tour. Never having any formal or classroom instruction it occurred to me some time back that luck or an angel on my shoulder may have saved my _ _ _ many times. Emergency stops with obstacles, decreasing radius turns and with flawed technique; running wide in a corner. Been there, done that too many times; but this video has turned my head (pun intended). Especially since my latest acquisition is a 2021 Goldwing tour/DCT; the most spectacular riding machine I have ever discovered. This "Trail Braking" technique rings true and your presentation demeanor and methodology rings true and enables an old novice (?) to embrace the new world of prolonging my riding into the future. I need all the help I can get! Regards and happy trails. Postscript: IMHO, Honda has thrown out the sofa and invented the Sport Tour class in a most spectacular fashion. (My 1975 Goldwing was leaps and bounds behind my 2008 GW ABS. Now this 2021 Goldwing has opened my eyes toward the future of two wheels. But I hope, not too late.)
Hey Kevin, Between you, DDFM and motojitsu, I'd have to say your videos and explanations and demonstrations are probably about the best for this old fart! THANKS FOR HELPING ME BECOME A BETTER RIDER!
From Mountain Biking and Downhill Biking, we used to call it "feathering the brake", it's just touching the disks, not "grabbing a handful"! Helps in not surprising the tyres cos they're already aware you're "feathering" should you need to apply more mid turn (unlike being completely off the brakes mid turn but then needing to apply them "cold")! I've not been riding motorcycles that long, but I'm already an advocate of "feathering" / "trail braking", I even mentioned it to an advancing motorcycle group in the UK (IAM) and they didn't know what I was talking about!
Another thumbs up. I recently watched another video on trail braking. As you do, he advocates practicing getting the correct light feel on the brake lever. A technique he proposed was to use only the front brake when stopping in traffic, stop sign, light, etc., with the idea that you progressively reduce pressure on the brake lever as you come to a complete stop so that the front forks do not “bounce up” as you come to a stop. It’s similar to your technique of using only the rear brake at this time to keep the bike attitude level & controlled but with the intent of getting the proper feel of the front brake lever release for trail braking. I was starting to use your rear brake technique until I saw his video. As I’ve been practicing trail braking I switched to his stopping method. It requires smoothness with a gentle and controlled touch. It’s actually kind of fun. As you stated in the earlier video, less experience riders might be better off using the traditional method for cornering. I think the same could be said of these two methods of stopping. Curious what you think about this. Best regards, Leo
This is clear and totally consistent with Nick Ienatsch’s discussion - which is great because this is, as you show, the right way. There is so much strongly held misunderstanding about the topic, it is great to see this practical and correct presentation. If I might add, you may have said or meant this and I missed it, but 1. The technique you explained so well can often have a bit of brake still on even while beginning to roll on throttle. That pushes against the front and maintains the contact patch during initial speed up while still slightly turning. 2. It thus also allows to smoothly, slightly, re-increase pressure if need be to tighten the line during the turn exit using the brake. As you roll your hand back to accelerate, that movement naturally decreases the pressure on the brake lever so its all very intuitive. Not complex at all once you’ve mastered what you teach here. It’s very good on tighter decreasing radius turns. Just thought I’d say that. Hope its ok and for sure it takes nothing away from this excellent explanation. This has saved my bacon on missing small gravel patches on mountain roads and a sudden mid turn stop where a deer actually took off a running lamp but I had already stopped, hard, mid turn because I was past the stiction point, had weight forward, was in balance and could really do a short stop from probably about 40 mph in a tight downhill 110 degree right turn. I managed to not even fall over as the deer grazed the lamp off and went spinning before jumping up and running away. Crazy. But without the level of control your method here provides, it would have been impossible to maneuver and stop so short and not crash or get t-boned by that buck. It still seems improbable! Great video, thanks.
This is God’s work right here my man! You are on the right side of history! I don’t know how many hearts and minds must be won over to get the MSF and other instructors to fully embrace this-BUT-folks like yourself with a wide audience are a great start. My wife had a near death experience almost-going in too hot, made the choice to disengage the clutch and use the rear brake exclusively-of all things. Fortunately a crash was avoided-But only by a stroke of good luck. It was the beginning of a long conversation about front brake pressure, fork compression (altering rake and trail to decrease your turn radius)-good throttle control, etc. If you master even the most basic part of trailing some front brake-life is going to get safer-I promise you. Any rider, any level, any bike. Keep up the good work Kevin!!!
You are making some of the best videos explaining trail braking, thank you! My difficulty still comes from the transition to rolling on the throttle -and easing off the brake lever at the same time. Usually the precision of gradually opening the throttle is lost unless I let go of the brake lever.
That’s probably the most difficult part of trail braking for some. Depending on your grips it can be cumbersome trying to finesse the brake lever and throttle at the same time. I found that changing my grips to fatter ones helped me have more control. Some also use different grip techniques. Some use one finger others use 2 and I even know some who use 3. So trying different grip techniques could help as well. I personally use 1.
@@jamiea.9782 thanks, that is interesting; I never thought of trying fatter grips. I did adjust my brake lever reach closer which helped. I will experiment with 1 finger on the lever, been using 2 for now.
One of the ways the term "trail braking" is confusing to some of us newbies is that most motorcycles have 2 separate braking systems. 1 for each wheel. And where the term can be confusing is in thinking that it applies to using only the rear brake. This is cleared up thru proper instruction and practice. And before some of you blow a gasket about me saying "most bikes having 2 brake systems"....the first bike I ever rode growing up was a Honda Trail 70. It had the common front brake on the right grip and the rear brake on the right foot peg. This bike did not have a clutch lever. Instead, it had a brake lever that linked both front and rear brakes. And at the time (35 years ago) I did not receive proper instruction from anyone. My father rode motorcycles most of his life, but I doubt he knew the term back in the early 80s when I was starting off on that Trail 70.
Thanks, Kevin. There’s no better (Or safer) way to corner than with this technique in your toolbox. I use it ALL the time and have never experienced a hint of problems with it.
Back again with an update; Due to vertigo, I have become a Can-Am Spyder rider. The RTL's seat is over 3 inches higher than the F3S which handles more like a go-cart whereas the other is great for long straight roads. I missed that part and bought the Top Of The Line RTL thinking...you know. The problem is, I'm a hairy curve and twisties guy! My thing wants to fling me off at every slight alteration in direction and I've worked on it virtually daily, improving some, for the past 5000 miles. Bottom line; a variation of trail braking basically doubled my curve/twisty speed on day one. I can't wait to see the results as I gain experience. Many thanks!
Best trail braking video for us cruiser riders I've watched. Like how you stated hold brake till comfortable with speed and direction solid advice. Your videos are great!!
I've just recently began exploring the use of trail braking and your explanation of "How To" is great. This definitely makes for more confident riding curves and the theory of already having the suspension loaded in the event you need to make a fast stop in a blind curve is so much safer than the way were taught in the MSF course. Thanks for helping riders of all levels with your riding tips
AWESOME! I love the way you explained how to trail break. I've always been a little worried to try it because I was trained not to use breaks in a corner. Other videos about trail breaking just talk about how to do it, they don't explain when to apply for how long, how much, and I don't think I've seen anyone actually set up a camera on their bike like you did. Now all I need to do is find a parking lot that isn't dangerous to test this in. To many people like to cut across parking lots here where I live.
I needed this Kevin. I just came in from a ride and on a corner 30 minutes ago and I had to trail brake after starting drifting into the next lane. I’m putting the miles on the bike and practicing I’m not ashamed to say I’m a beginner.
Thanks, Kevin! Been trying to perfect my trail braking, but have not had such a concise, yet complete explanation as you offer here. My bike is a Goldwing 1500 with linked front/back rear brake system and is very forgiving when doing conventional corner braking, but I am working on becoming completely comfortable with the front, trail braking technique. Your video really helped me to know I was correctly practicing it.
Totally awesome to see you do this (and done very well)! Trail braking far superior to the old SLPR method giving riders so many more choices to deal with the unexpected. Accelerating into corners when you can't see whats coming, or what the corner is going to do next is just tempting fate. Again, well done!
Thanks for this video. In Calif we now teach SPAT for the cornering technique. We mention trail braking but don't teach it during the MTC. Now I have a source to point my students to for answers to the questions about trail braking.
Nicely explained and important points repeated. I particularly like your reference to being comfortable with bike speed and position in the bend before rolling on. Everyone's different. The dynamics of the bike and rake angle in a bend has been put over very simply for the viewer here and is easily understood. Well done, you are actually saving lives here Kevin imo.
Thank you for the lessons Kevin. I'm a month into daily commuting to work and a 20 - 30 mile ride out at weekends , having parking lot practiced i started light trail breaking on the roads up in the hills near me today , starting to get a feel for riding more confidently ( but safely ) 😃👍🏍
Great video Kevin! Trail breaking for me acts as a way to anticipate something in the road ahead. With light brake pressure applied, steering becomes more precise and I can add more pressure in the event a deer, a pot hole, gravel etc. that suddenly appears in that blind corner. I can get the bike vertical and either come to a complete stop, or slow enough to go around that object. Works really well on decreasing radius bends also. It has saved my life on more than one occasion. 👍👍
I feel that since front brake and throttle are on the same side it's important to adjust them in such a way that pressing the brake and accelerating right after will not required bending the hand too much. Thank you for another excellent video/demonstration!!!
What a great video explaining trail braking and the demonstrating it. This is the best video explaining it in such an easy way to understand. I’ve watched other videos that left me more confused after watching. Thanks for another great video!
I have watched a ton of videos on trail braking but you sir have explained it the best. I've been practicing it and finally I fully understand it Thank you.
4 роки тому
this was it. The best explaination of trail brakin
Thanks Kevin, I was just asking a buddy of mine about this and was going to ask for your input. I think it will. Help me to have a little more confidence in unfamiliar roads
After taking a week to think about this subject and seeing what I actually do, i realized i front break before curve entry, lean and control trail break on rear if required. This I learned at track day. Rear breaking tends to right the bike that can easily be counteracted by the handle bars. Front break causes the lean to increase and not as easy to counteract. I was taught to get off the front lever so no accidental pulls drops you into a very bad day. As described in this video, it can be effective but i think less forgiving if crap happens. When lean is shallow it is safer as i have tried it this past week. That's my input.
Thanks Kevin. I’ve been using this technique for years with my Valkyrie didn’t even know what it was called until I watched your video. It saved my life on the Blue Ridge Parkway one time.
Thank you Kevin. This is by far the best demonstration of trail braking that I have seen thus far. It has finally "clicked" for me while seeing you demonstrate. What I really didn't understand was when to RELEASE the front brake in the corner. I really appreciate it.
Don't release it completely. Maintain some pressure on the brake to keep your suspension compressed. If it is still compressed while in a turn and you need more braking power you will not upset the suspension buy re-applying the front brake. Go back a re-watch the vid, and also go back and review Kevin's vid on traction control.
@@mulloo I meant that other videos and other trailbraking theory that I have read were never clear about when releasing the brake, but I understood after this video explaination. But thank you for trying to help. There should be more of you!
Thank you Kevin for a sharing all of your knowledge and experience with all of us. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the your videos. This technique, in my opinion, only complicates cornering. I'm a firm believer in the slow look press and roll technique. A carefully chosen entry speed, along with good road strategy, will not fail. Of course, everyone is free to use whichever technique they prefer. Happy and safe riding to everyone!
This is a great technique, I found it on Canyon Chaser awhile ago, however the more training the better. It has really increased my confidence taking on corners. The more I practice the better I get. On some familiar roads I have figured out I don't even need to trail break!
Hey brother. Thanks so much for your informative videos. I live in Murphy, Texas and pretty sure I passed you on Plano Pkwy in Plano yesterday on your Gold Wing...
Great video! I've written a book and online course to teach trail braking to the average street rider. Your video here reinforces my theories and techniques. Best wishes!
Great video. I have the 2018 GW and 10k miles. Need to change my front pad brakes and my riding buddy tells me not to brake before each corner. Just slow down using sport mode. But sport mode scares me in a corner. I am half way there learning trail braking. Makes complete sense. I have the habit of touching the front brakes at each corner then rolling on the trottle. Your video will help me to hold the brake a little longer and press down and turn my head. Looking forward to practising this.
Thank you. I really got a lot out of your actual videoed practice in the parking lot, I would love to see more videos of you riding and showing on other lessons. Thank you again
Trail braking is all fine and good on tight corners, but on fast sweepers the best way to go fast is to straighten out the curves by aiming for the apexes.
As all way and excelent video. I’m Ben use this tethnick for year, and in big bikes like your Goldwing and my C109, we have an a lither advantage because ours rear brake are Linket-brake so wen aim touch that rear brake the rear and front brake actuate at the same time and help a lot. Just a Beet lite touch is needed. And you has to use-to the trail braking wit linked-brake.
I would mention the necessity of a regressive braking. Just as you progressively apply more and more break when you have to do an emergency stop, you have to slowly release pressure on the breaks as you lean further into a corner. Because cornering also puts a load on the suspension it's important to maintain the load within suspension capabilities and traction limits of a tire as well. Remember: both breaking and turning subtract from traction capability. So it's important not to go over 100% traction in any given situation. Trail braking normally happens after an intense braking before the corner. So as you begin to lean, you add cornering load to a tire and a fork, thus you have to gradually release some of the braking pressure (but not all of it) to maintain the total load a more or less constant number for optimal performance and, most important, stability.
Thank you so much for this great informative video!. I am planning to enroll in a motorcycle driving class. I wanted to absorb much information before i did and be as safe as I can be when riding a motorcycle.
My personal opinion, 38 years of riding motorcycles and daily rider for majority of those years. I've never once needed to trail brake, and I've rode with guys that swore up and down it helps but then explain why that I can ride with those same type bikes, speed, corner, and turn with them without the need for trail braking but they swore up and down it helped them. Doesn't make sense, I personally think if someone have to use it then they're not riding right from the get go. Like I said, it's my opinion. BTW: This is only MC topic I have disagreed with you Kevin, otherwise this video was put together professionally.
One mistake in this video (and many others that's very minor) is the statement about the wheel base shortening. Yes it gets shorter but not in any meaningful way. It's the change in the caster that causes any noticeable change in turning response when the suspension compresses. Such a small discrepancy I was contemplating not commenting at all but here we are. Overall amazing video and keep up the great work!
Practice in a car, same concept and safer.Also dont worry about how much pressure is applied going into the turn. Apply the brake as much as you normally would, but release slowly while turning in until youre no longer applying brake at the apex where you then transition on to the throttle. Once youre familiar with the process you can then shift some of the total braking force into the turn and less before the turn. Let the suspension travel guide you. You want to be entering a neutral suspension position at the apex. You should also use the rear brake with the front brake before the turn. Before you turn in, release the rear brake.
One important thing with trail braking is that it helps to keep the drivechain loaded and avoid switching between engine driving and engine braking (which causes the abrupt strike when you add throttle).
I have a bad habit of hitting the front brake while doing slow turns.. haha i have overcome that. So when trying to practice trail breaking its wèird...So i am VERY gentle apply the pressure. Thanks for the explanation about when to egin to release the brake pressure.
I was curious what trail braking meant, but it seems that I'm doing that instinctively on many types of corners (since I began riding, 22 years ago). Probably more on twisty mountain roads and unfamiliar roads than on well known roads. But especially on wet (clean and unpatched) roads it increases self-confidence "by miles".
Watching your videos has inspired me to practice techniques and improve my skills and I Thank YOU for that. Could you do a video on your take on the motorcycle accident in New Hampshire this past weekend...
Really going out much greater speed’s and get used to driving your forks down. You can start this at about 40 mph . This is a highly advanced writing maneuver and for years to practice and learn.
If you are a new rider or a rider who wants to continue to grow (That should be all of us ;) ) and you are not a Member at MCrider you are missing out on the best part of MCrider. Go to www.MCrider.com/Member and get access to the Forums and Field Guide.
- The Forum is an active, friendly place where riders share riding tips, ideas, travel photos, and show off their new motorcycles. Riders and instructors from all over the world are active on the forums and ready to share in the adventure with you.
- The Field Guide is a section of the forums that have very specific training exercises that you can work on in any open parking lot to develop your riding skills.
In addition to these resources, you can discuss every MCrider video, suggest future training videos, read and share gear reviews, and more.
By becoming a member you help support MCrider and keep the weekly videos coming but you also get access to a world of riders who share tips and techniques to help us all enjoy the ride and increase our skills.
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Aa@
After recently watching your videos, including this one, I was practicing trail braking for the first time today on a very curvy road (30 mph turns) with poor visibility around some of the turns. I was getting the hang of it after awhile and on what appeared to be a car-less section of road coming around a bend. Suddenly in front of me a line of cars were at a dead stop. I immediately further squeezed the brake gently and straightened the bike, stopping with room to spare and zero loss of tire traction. It really worked perfectly. Thanks Kevin for all the helpful riding tips!
I've had a very hard time wrapping my head around trial braking after watching several videos with good folks trying to explain it. It's not complicated, but the initial sum of questions is a bit daunting at first to grasp the applied concepts accurately. This video right here checked all of the boxes I've been looking for.
On behalf of all aspiring & growing riders out there, we sincerely appreciate your dedication to quality education. This will save lives!
As such, I am a proud supporter of MCRider on Patreon. Keep up the fantastic work. Thank you Kevin, and the entire MCRider team!
Thanks I appreciate it.
Deon Pearson motojutsu has a very well explained trail break video as well. This guy and motojutsu are the best with riding advices.
same here, questions with trail braking as it just interferes with throttle maintaining during lean, does not feel natural to hold both brake and gas... Guess I just got used to break precise and just enough before the corner and then if I continue using slight brake while inside of corner I just happen to slow down too much, and then I need additional throttle in middle of corner which is not good... Seriously I try to use this , exercise and find the benefits of it, still looks like it was easier without... I get the point of more control inside corner and braking further if must, but have hard time finding the entry speed now as I suppose I cant enter corner with exact speed as I did before without trail brake, need to enter it faster if I want to continue braking ?
Every video I have watched talks about the benefits of trail braking without going into exactly how to do it. Best video that I have seen on it here. Thanks for posting this.
Every time I thought of a missing piece of information or something I didn't understand, you addressed with your next sentence. Excellent. Best video on trail braking!
One of the best, if not THE BEST explanation of trail breaking I’ve come across 👍Bye the way Kevin, nice Gold Wing 👌
One of the best videos out there not even trailbreaking wise. Every beginner rider or trailbreaking newb should watch this.
Thank you so much for your care that you put into your instruction Kevin. I've been riding since the late 1970's, but never with this type of knowledge. I'm 59 now and I want to be as safe as I possibly can. I'm taking the turnpike home today and will definitely practice trail braking on the pristine corners provided by the turnpike. I also go to a nearby parking lot to practice. By the way, one of my co-workers was rear-ended in her car yesterday while she was stopped at a traffic light. For me this means I will always leave plenty of distance in front of me when stopped at a light, watch my mirrors, and have an escape route ready. Ride to live, live to ride.
Okay this is by far the best video on trail braking I have seen yet. Especially with the live demonstration in the parking lot. With all this talk on trail braking and without seeing this demonstration it all had me thinking this was some sort of a new concept to cornering and after seeing this I realized it is something I have already been doing for many years. Funny how recently I have just now noticed it mentioned as such. It all had me thinking that it sounds so dangerous and if I had not seen this I would have forever wondered what I had been missing when I haven't been missing anything all along. Thank You so much for including this ride in the parking lot demonstration added to the classroom instruction!
Trail breaking has really helped boost my confidence when cornering. By lightly and steadily applying the front brake only enough allows more control of your speed and control of the bike as needed. Thank you for this video 😊.
The other thing that occurred to me is: eyes were you want to go.... tight turns work naturally when you are looking to your target.
been doing that technique for a couple of months now and I can definitely say that trail braking helps a lot not just when attacking corners but also for becoming a safer rider
Kevin, I know this is nitpicking, but I hear it so often and it drives me nuts; "front braking increases the size of the contact patch and thereby increases traction". Ask any physicist/engineer and you will learn that friction/traction has nothing to do with area. There are exactly two factors in friction, the coefficient of friction between the two materials and the normal force between the two materials; area is not a factor in friction.
As you have described, applying the front brake shifts weight to the front tire and does increase the size of the contact patch, but it is the increased weight (normal force) that increases the traction!
I love your videos; I am back on two wheels after being off for over forty years and I constantly increase my riding skills and safety watching your vids! I frequently ride NW Arkansas and I have been experimenting with trail braking for a while; it really helps me get through the twisties with more speed and confidence!!
@@joshharrison2657 Adhesiion! That's the difference! I stand corrected, friction is not all that is in play here. Thanks for the clarification!
@@joshharrison2657
But, you solved a quandary that has been puzzling me for 25 years, since I first learned about the physics of friction. I grew up in the sixties with muscle cars and some of the biggest names in drag racing; I'm a big NASCAR fan as well as a fan of Indy and World of Outlaw. I know how friction works, but I also know that big slicks make way more traction than narrower tires! How can that be?? Adhesion!
Adhesion is quite a different animal. Its behavior is much more complex than friction, and in racing, it is essential. Adhesion is the reason for all the different tire compounds that the tire manufacturers bring to the different tracks and surface types (asphalt/concrete/dirt, etc.).
Friction is a big factor in racing, as well. Its the reason for wings, spoilers, splitters, etc. Increasing friction/traction by increasing down pressure on the vehicle, but I have been overlooking adhesion. Thanks for pointing that out!
Excellent video Kevin, especially your specific information about HOW to trail brake correctly. Many riders know the advantages of this technique, but are uncertain about how to do it, and worried about too much brake while leaned over, and crashing. You've clarified the whole matter nicely.
WOW.....I am still trying to recover from your 1 foot or 2 feet down video! Never thought about the stop, till I watched it.
Thanks Kevin, I went on a "short" 200 mile today and applying trail braking, I was able to keep up with my riding buddy who happens to be a police officer with tons of experience, pro stock racer as well. He called me captain slow for the longest. Today he was like, "bruh whatever you are doing keep it up, you were right behind me all the time." I told him I was trail braking. There is another blogger I have to thank for this, I was able to come in hot and there maneuver the bike feeling vey comfortable. That said I had a "sphincter moment" where for some reason I tried giving the breaks some squeeze while keep accelerating the bike. What an awful feeling of losing control. I was lucky I was going relatively slow and gained control of my bike. So that is a no-no.
I'm from Fort Worth, but I'm doing a bit of work up here in Reno Nv...and brought my Indian w/me. Last w/e I drove into Lake Tahoe on the Old Rose Hwy....lots of twists and turns up and down the mountain...and I tried a little of both (based on last weeks video). It's a two lane highway....and I could sense a difference w/the speed and turns. I still prefer to adjust my speed before entering, and then accelerating as I get past mid point and while exiting.
Thanks for the information Kevin it was a big help i watch the video twice.
I also watched twice. I hope everyone does.
New rider here. It seems to me that trail braking is a fundamental skill. Why then does it also seem (having watched dozens of crash videos) that so many riders have zero idea what trail braking is? Or that so many still believe that braking in corners is basically suicide? (P.S. Props on the quality and professionalism of your vids. You help keep us all safe on the mean streets, amigo!)
Kevin the magician! Great video. I am a multi-decades rider with my only learning by doing; self taught. About 60 years of riding from scooters, dirt, performance and tour. Never having any formal or classroom instruction it occurred to me some time back that luck or an angel on my shoulder may have saved my _ _ _ many times. Emergency stops with obstacles, decreasing radius turns and with flawed technique; running wide in a corner. Been there, done that too many times; but this video has turned my head (pun intended). Especially since my latest acquisition is a 2021 Goldwing tour/DCT; the most spectacular riding machine I have ever discovered.
This "Trail Braking" technique rings true and your presentation demeanor and methodology rings true and enables an old novice (?) to embrace the new world of prolonging my riding into the future. I need all the help I can get!
Regards and happy trails.
Postscript: IMHO, Honda has thrown out the sofa and invented the Sport Tour class in a most spectacular fashion. (My 1975 Goldwing was leaps and bounds behind my 2008 GW ABS. Now this 2021 Goldwing has opened my eyes toward the future of two wheels. But I hope, not too late.)
Hey Kevin,
Between you, DDFM and motojitsu, I'd have to say your videos and explanations and demonstrations are probably about the best for this old fart!
THANKS FOR HELPING ME BECOME A BETTER RIDER!
From Mountain Biking and Downhill Biking, we used to call it "feathering the brake", it's just touching the disks, not "grabbing a handful"! Helps in not surprising the tyres cos they're already aware you're "feathering" should you need to apply more mid turn (unlike being completely off the brakes mid turn but then needing to apply them "cold")!
I've not been riding motorcycles that long, but I'm already an advocate of "feathering" / "trail braking", I even mentioned it to an advancing motorcycle group in the UK (IAM) and they didn't know what I was talking about!
Another thumbs up.
I recently watched another video on trail braking. As you do, he advocates practicing getting the correct light feel on the brake lever. A technique he proposed was to use only the front brake when stopping in traffic, stop sign, light, etc., with the idea that you progressively reduce pressure on the brake lever as you come to a complete stop so that the front forks do not “bounce up” as you come to a stop.
It’s similar to your technique of using only the rear brake at this time to keep the bike attitude level & controlled but with the intent of getting the proper feel of the front brake lever release for trail braking.
I was starting to use your rear brake technique until I saw his video. As I’ve been practicing trail braking I switched to his stopping method. It requires smoothness with a gentle and controlled touch. It’s actually kind of fun.
As you stated in the earlier video, less experience riders might be better off using the traditional method for cornering. I think the same could be said of these two methods of stopping.
Curious what you think about this.
Best regards,
Leo
I agree on this method I rode dirt bikes for many years and that’s exactly how we control our bikes in the turns and it works like a charm great video
This is clear and totally consistent with Nick Ienatsch’s discussion - which is great because this is, as you show, the right way. There is so much strongly held misunderstanding about the topic, it is great to see this practical and correct presentation. If I might add, you may have said or meant this and I missed it, but 1. The technique you explained so well can often have a bit of brake still on even while beginning to roll on throttle. That pushes against the front and maintains the contact patch during initial speed up while still slightly turning. 2. It thus also allows to smoothly, slightly, re-increase pressure if need be to tighten the line during the turn exit using the brake. As you roll your hand back to accelerate, that movement naturally decreases the pressure on the brake lever so its all very intuitive. Not complex at all once you’ve mastered what you teach here. It’s very good on tighter decreasing radius turns. Just thought I’d say that. Hope its ok and for sure it takes nothing away from this excellent explanation. This has saved my bacon on missing small gravel patches on mountain roads and a sudden mid turn stop where a deer actually took off a running lamp but I had already stopped, hard, mid turn because I was past the stiction point, had weight forward, was in balance and could really do a short stop from probably about 40 mph in a tight downhill 110 degree right turn. I managed to not even fall over as the deer grazed the lamp off and went spinning before jumping up and running away. Crazy. But without the level of control your method here provides, it would have been impossible to maneuver and stop so short and not crash or get t-boned by that buck. It still seems improbable! Great video, thanks.
This is God’s work right here my man! You are on the right side of history! I don’t know how many hearts and minds must be won over to get the MSF and other instructors to fully embrace this-BUT-folks like yourself with a wide audience are a great start. My wife had a near death experience almost-going in too hot, made the choice to disengage the clutch and use the rear brake exclusively-of all things. Fortunately a crash was avoided-But only by a stroke of good luck. It was the beginning of a long conversation about front brake pressure, fork compression (altering rake and trail to decrease your turn radius)-good throttle control, etc. If you master even the most basic part of trailing some front brake-life is going to get safer-I promise you. Any rider, any level, any bike. Keep up the good work Kevin!!!
You are making some of the best videos explaining trail braking, thank you! My difficulty still comes from the transition to rolling on the throttle -and easing off the brake lever at the same time. Usually the precision of gradually opening the throttle is lost unless I let go of the brake lever.
That’s probably the most difficult part of trail braking for some. Depending on your grips it can be cumbersome trying to finesse the brake lever and throttle at the same time. I found that changing my grips to fatter ones helped me have more control. Some also use different grip techniques. Some use one finger others use 2 and I even know some who use 3. So trying different grip techniques could help as well. I personally use 1.
@@jamiea.9782 thanks, that is interesting; I never thought of trying fatter grips. I did adjust my brake lever reach closer which helped. I will experiment with 1 finger on the lever, been using 2 for now.
One of the ways the term "trail braking" is confusing to some of us newbies is that most motorcycles have 2 separate braking systems. 1 for each wheel. And where the term can be confusing is in thinking that it applies to using only the rear brake. This is cleared up thru proper instruction and practice.
And before some of you blow a gasket about me saying "most bikes having 2 brake systems"....the first bike I ever rode growing up was a Honda Trail 70. It had the common front brake on the right grip and the rear brake on the right foot peg. This bike did not have a clutch lever. Instead, it had a brake lever that linked both front and rear brakes. And at the time (35 years ago) I did not receive proper instruction from anyone. My father rode motorcycles most of his life, but I doubt he knew the term back in the early 80s when I was starting off on that Trail 70.
Thanks, Kevin. There’s no better (Or safer) way to corner than with this technique in your toolbox. I use it ALL the time and have never experienced a hint of problems with it.
Todd Edwards Do you just break with the front brake initially and then trail it through the corner or do you use the back brake as well? Thanks!
Back again with an update; Due to vertigo, I have become a Can-Am Spyder rider. The RTL's seat is over 3 inches higher than the F3S which handles more like a go-cart whereas the other is great for long straight roads. I missed that part and bought the Top Of The Line RTL thinking...you know. The problem is, I'm a hairy curve and twisties guy! My thing wants to fling me off at every slight alteration in direction and I've worked on it virtually daily, improving some, for the past 5000 miles. Bottom line; a variation of trail braking basically doubled my curve/twisty speed on day one. I can't wait to see the results as I gain experience. Many thanks!
Best trail braking video for us cruiser riders I've watched. Like how you stated hold brake till comfortable with speed and direction solid advice. Your videos are great!!
I've just recently began exploring the use of trail braking and your explanation of "How To" is great.
This definitely makes for more confident riding curves and the theory of already having the suspension loaded in the event you need to make a fast stop in a blind curve is so much safer than the way were taught in the MSF course.
Thanks for helping riders of all levels with your riding tips
AWESOME! I love the way you explained how to trail break. I've always been a little worried to try it because I was trained not to use breaks in a corner. Other videos about trail breaking just talk about how to do it, they don't explain when to apply for how long, how much, and I don't think I've seen anyone actually set up a camera on their bike like you did. Now all I need to do is find a parking lot that isn't dangerous to test this in. To many people like to cut across parking lots here where I live.
Thanks for all the helpful information. I went and got my license today first try!
That's great Bryan, congratulations on getting your license.
I needed this Kevin. I just came in from a ride and on a corner 30 minutes ago and I had to trail brake after starting drifting into the next lane. I’m putting the miles on the bike and practicing I’m not ashamed to say I’m a beginner.
Thanks, Kevin! Been trying to perfect my trail braking, but have not had such a concise, yet complete explanation as you offer here. My bike is a Goldwing 1500 with linked front/back rear brake system and is very forgiving when doing conventional corner braking, but I am working on becoming completely comfortable with the front, trail braking technique. Your video really helped me to know I was correctly practicing it.
Totally awesome to see you do this (and done very well)! Trail braking far superior to the old SLPR method giving riders so many more choices to deal with the unexpected. Accelerating into corners when you can't see whats coming, or what the corner is going to do next is just tempting fate. Again, well done!
I learnt a lot from your vid on trail braking too!! Two of my fav moto vloggers :)
Thanks for this video. In Calif we now teach SPAT for the cornering technique. We mention trail braking but don't teach it during the MTC. Now I have a source to point my students to for answers to the questions about trail braking.
Nicely explained and important points repeated. I particularly like your reference to being comfortable with bike speed and position in the bend before rolling on. Everyone's different. The dynamics of the bike and rake angle in a bend has been put over very simply for the viewer here and is easily understood. Well done, you are actually saving lives here Kevin imo.
This is one of the best(if not the best) trail braking videos on UA-cam
Thank you for the lessons Kevin. I'm a month into daily commuting to work and a 20 - 30 mile ride out at weekends , having parking lot practiced i started light trail breaking on the roads up in the hills near me today , starting to get a feel for riding more confidently ( but safely ) 😃👍🏍
Great video Kevin! Trail breaking for me acts as a way to anticipate something in the road ahead. With light brake pressure applied, steering becomes more precise and I can add more pressure in the event a deer, a pot hole, gravel etc. that suddenly appears in that blind corner. I can get the bike vertical and either come to a complete stop, or slow enough to go around that object. Works really well on decreasing radius bends also. It has saved my life on more than one occasion. 👍👍
I feel that since front brake and throttle are on the same side it's important to adjust them in such a way that pressing the brake and accelerating right after will not required bending the hand too much. Thank you for another excellent video/demonstration!!!
0:53 Ah, I see you you are a good man. A scholar and a gentleman if you will!
I will, I certainly will
What a great video explaining trail braking and the demonstrating it. This is the best video explaining it in such an easy way to understand. I’ve watched other videos that left me more confused after watching. Thanks for another great video!
It makes a lot of sense, and I've probably been doing it to some degree, instinctively.
I REALLY appreciate the videos of your hands, it puts the technique in better perspective for me. 😁👍
I have watched a ton of videos on trail braking but you sir have explained it the best. I've been practicing it and finally I fully understand it Thank you.
this was it. The best explaination of trail brakin
Thanks Kevin,
I was just asking a buddy of mine about this and was going to ask for your input. I think it will. Help me to have a little more confidence in unfamiliar roads
Very helpful. I particularly like it when you demonstrate how to do something.
After taking a week to think about this subject and seeing what I actually do, i realized i front break before curve entry, lean and control trail break on rear if required. This I learned at track day. Rear breaking tends to right the bike that can easily be counteracted by the handle bars. Front break causes the lean to increase and not as easy to counteract. I was taught to get off the front lever so no accidental pulls drops you into a very bad day.
As described in this video, it can be effective but i think less forgiving if crap happens. When lean is shallow it is safer as i have tried it this past week.
That's my input.
Thanks Kevin. I’ve been using this technique for years with my Valkyrie didn’t even know what it was called until I watched your video. It saved my life on the Blue Ridge Parkway one time.
Joshua bratt yes I was totally going to fast for my bike. Thankfully I had the experience to come out of my predicament. Glad you made it too bro.
Explained and demonstrated perfectly-thanks Kevin.
Thank you Kevin. This is by far the best demonstration of trail braking that I have seen thus far. It has finally "clicked" for me while seeing you demonstrate. What I really didn't understand was when to RELEASE the front brake in the corner. I really appreciate it.
Don't release it completely. Maintain some pressure on the brake to keep your suspension compressed. If it is still compressed while in a turn and you need more braking power you will not upset the suspension buy re-applying the front brake. Go back a re-watch the vid, and also go back and review Kevin's vid on traction control.
@@mulloo I meant that other videos and other trailbraking theory that I have read were never clear about when releasing the brake, but I understood after this video explaination. But thank you for trying to help. There should be more of you!
Thanks for the information. Well explained and will practice the technique.
Thank you Kevin for a sharing all of your knowledge and experience with all of us. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the your videos. This technique, in my opinion, only complicates cornering. I'm a firm believer in the slow look press and roll technique. A carefully chosen entry speed, along with good road strategy, will not fail. Of course, everyone is free to use whichever technique they prefer. Happy and safe riding to everyone!
I have no problem with that. SLPR served me well for years.
Thank you Kevin for the information and examples.
This is a great technique, I found it on Canyon Chaser awhile ago, however the more training the better. It has really increased my confidence taking on corners. The more I practice the better I get. On some familiar roads I have figured out I don't even need to trail break!
One of the most useful videos I’ve seen!
Holy cow I never knew I was doing this unintentionally, thanks forthe lesson MCrider!
Why not both brakes? Rear and front?
Finally I get the idea. Thank you for this extremely useful and practical video.
Hey brother. Thanks so much for your informative videos. I live in Murphy, Texas and pretty sure I passed you on Plano Pkwy in Plano yesterday on your Gold Wing...
Excellent explanation and demonstration, Kevin. This has always been a confusing topic for me until now. Thank you.
Thanks
This video and your comments make things super easy to follow and apply
Great video! I've written a book and online course to teach trail braking to the average street rider. Your video here reinforces my theories and techniques. Best wishes!
Great video. I have the 2018 GW and 10k miles. Need to change my front pad brakes and my riding buddy tells me not to brake before each corner. Just slow down using sport mode. But sport mode scares me in a corner. I am half way there learning trail braking. Makes complete sense. I have the habit of touching the front brakes at each corner then rolling on the trottle. Your video will help me to hold the brake a little longer and press down and turn my head. Looking forward to practising this.
Thank you. I really got a lot out of your actual videoed practice in the parking lot, I would love to see more videos of you riding and showing on other lessons. Thank you again
Trail braking is all fine and good on tight corners, but on fast sweepers the best way to go fast is to straighten out the curves by aiming for the apexes.
Got your mail, clicked on your video and learned a new skill! Awesome!
Going to practice this next time out riding. Thanks Kevin for this practical video.
As all way and excelent video.
I’m Ben use this tethnick for year, and in big bikes like your Goldwing and my C109, we have an a lither advantage because ours rear brake are Linket-brake so wen aim touch that rear brake the rear and front brake actuate at the same time and help a lot. Just a Beet lite touch is needed. And you has to use-to the trail braking wit linked-brake.
Smoothest sounding bike out there
Good video. I trail brake at times, but I will endeavor to make this a regular habit.
Thank you Kevin! Now I have a better understanding of trail braking and how to practice it in a parking lot. Excellent! :)
Greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Now that was worthwhile. I'm going to try that in the parking lot tomorrow. Thanks.
Great video! It’s great to know how to practice, especially since it’s not on the road!
I appreciate the good work you do mate jimmy Australis
Excellent explanation and presentation. IMO - trail braking is king especially at the track.
I would mention the necessity of a regressive braking. Just as you progressively apply more and more break when you have to do an emergency stop, you have to slowly release pressure on the breaks as you lean further into a corner. Because cornering also puts a load on the suspension it's important to maintain the load within suspension capabilities and traction limits of a tire as well. Remember: both breaking and turning subtract from traction capability. So it's important not to go over 100% traction in any given situation. Trail braking normally happens after an intense braking before the corner. So as you begin to lean, you add cornering load to a tire and a fork, thus you have to gradually release some of the braking pressure (but not all of it) to maintain the total load a more or less constant number for optimal performance and, most important, stability.
Thank you so much for this great informative video!. I am planning to enroll in a motorcycle driving class. I wanted to absorb much information before i did and be as safe as I can be when riding a motorcycle.
My personal opinion, 38 years of riding motorcycles and daily rider for majority of those years. I've never once needed to trail brake, and I've rode with guys that swore up and down it helps but then explain why that I can ride with those same type bikes, speed, corner, and turn with them without the need for trail braking but they swore up and down it helped them. Doesn't make sense, I personally think if someone have to use it then they're not riding right from the get go. Like I said, it's my opinion.
BTW: This is only MC topic I have disagreed with you Kevin, otherwise this video was put together professionally.
One mistake in this video (and many others that's very minor) is the statement about the wheel base shortening. Yes it gets shorter but not in any meaningful way. It's the change in the caster that causes any noticeable change in turning response when the suspension compresses. Such a small discrepancy I was contemplating not commenting at all but here we are. Overall amazing video and keep up the great work!
Great video Kevin!.. Just what I was looking for in regards to how to practice trail breaking. Cheers!
Best walkthrough of trail braking I have seen, thanks!
Practice in a car, same concept and safer.Also dont worry about how much pressure is applied going into the turn. Apply the brake as much as you normally would, but release slowly while turning in until youre no longer applying brake at the apex where you then transition on to the throttle. Once youre familiar with the process you can then shift some of the total braking force into the turn and less before the turn. Let the suspension travel guide you. You want to be entering a neutral suspension position at the apex.
You should also use the rear brake with the front brake before the turn. Before you turn in, release the rear brake.
Hey Kevin are you using any rear brake during the first half of the turn?
Thanks
Braking just got more easier! Thanks MCrider!
Great video Kevin! Thanks for helping all of us become safer and better riders.
Best explanation ever.. As always Kevin, your advice is spot on and it helps keep skills in order .. much appreciated 🙏🏼
Thanks, it all makes complete sense now, great explanation
One important thing with trail braking is that it helps to keep the drivechain loaded and avoid switching between engine driving and engine braking (which causes the abrupt strike when you add throttle).
I have a bad habit of hitting the front brake while doing slow turns.. haha i have overcome that. So when trying to practice trail breaking its wèird...So i am VERY gentle apply the pressure. Thanks for the explanation about when to egin to release the brake pressure.
I was curious what trail braking meant, but it seems that I'm doing that instinctively on many types of corners (since I began riding, 22 years ago). Probably more on twisty mountain roads and unfamiliar roads than on well known roads. But especially on wet (clean and unpatched) roads it increases self-confidence "by miles".
So perfectly OK to apply trail braking in the wet too?
Thanks very much for the clear and understandable explanation and demonstration of trail braking.
Watching your videos has inspired me to practice techniques and improve my skills and I Thank YOU for that. Could you do a video on your take on the motorcycle accident in New Hampshire this past weekend...
Another great video with lots of useful information. Thanks Kevin.
Man, that is one sweet sounding bike you have there. Thanks for the video.
Really going out much greater speed’s and get used to driving your forks down. You can start this at about 40 mph .
This is a highly advanced writing maneuver and for years to practice and learn.