When I first started riding in the 70s we were taught to NEVER use the front brake. Then in the 2010s I took the MSF course and they taught to use both brakes but don’t touch the front brake in a curve. And now trail braking is becoming more mainstream (e.g. not just for sport bike riders on the track) and that has transformed how I ride. And thank goodness I practice it even on my big ‘old hog (2018 Ultra Classic): the other day, I came into a blind curve on a back road in the country (one that I am very familiar with) a bit hot. Got on the front brake while upright but still needed to scrub some speed as I leaned into the curve. I trailed off the brake but still had light pressure when (and you can’t make this stuff up) I met a car coming in my lane as he swerved around a guy on a skateboard being pulled by his large dog. I added brake pressure simultaneously as I stood the bike up and I stopped in plenty of time for the car to get back into his lane. As I breathed a sigh of relief, the friggin dog went berserk and wanted to eat me🤬. I drove off and thanked my training and all those who convinced me to learn trail braking.👍
You were taught by someone in the 70s? I just transitioned from being an avid bicyclist to a motorcyclist in 1981. No motorcycle license required. It was a pretty easy transition for me when it came to controlling the motorcycle. Now dealing with traffic was something else all together.
I recently did a poll on Facebook to find out how many riders feel that the front brake is OK to use in a turn, and how many do not. The results were: 1/3 (about 50 votes) thought it was OK, and about 2/3 (about 100 votes) thought that it is not OK to use the front brake in a turn. That's kind of scary, what do these riders do if a car in front of them brakes mid-turn? But I think it used to be even worse. I was taught in the 90's to never brake while leaned over, but at the moment, the MSF no longer says that (now it says that if you must brake mid turn, do it smoothly). Glad you are helping to address these mistaken beliefs.
I mean the vast majority of situations like you described, the front brake isn't even that necessary, as opposed to the rear brake. Living in Atlanta now, I deal with this every day, and most of the time, the rear brake is sufficient if I even have to brake at all. Most of the time, I can simply downshift and engine brake. Now in an emergency situation, for sure, trail brake with the front. But proper awareness and lane placement is usually a bigger factor. If I know to expect cars ahead of me in a turn, I'm going to slow my approach, and make sure I have room and escape if needed.
"you dont wanna use front break and throttle break at the same time"... Finally someone has explained this part, so now I get it. Thank you Jerry... There is alot of indecisiveness about whether on not you can trail break using the rear break... From what you have explained and how i see it is that yes you can trail break from the rear break, however it is better to practice implementing it with the front break because.............
It is better to use the front brake to trail brake because it loads the front suspension, and loads your front tire giving you more grip on the front. Trail braking with the rear does not provide that, and has the added risk of locking up very easily.
trail braking is the best riding skill I ever learned besides dragging the rear brake in slow speed maneuvers but years of mountain biking already taught me that before I swung a leg over a motorbike.
I live in Virginia and use this technique when I decide to ride out of the DC suburbs and hit the Blue Ridge Mountain roads. Great information and a skill that is good to practice. Next up: Jerry does "brake and escape" maneuvers to avoid those Florida python snakes crossing the road! Ha!
Thanks for another great quick tip to be made aware, practice and ingrain in riding...something I always notice is your helmet camera view is how the view stays "level" to the horizon and the bike leans in turns. Yes, confession coming that I have to learn how to turn the right way and unlearn past (bad) practice habits/riding in turns. Your video lessons are making a difference, very thankful. I have my RLAP USB drive now, missed the patch offer by a one week, that's all right tho. Thanks again Motorman for all you're doing to help us out!!!
Great video Jerry 👍. I do use that braking technique manoeuvre when I've sometimes gone too hot leaned over into the start of a corner and use the front brake to slow me to then avoid going over the dbl yellow lines on the other side of the road where there was cars. Saved my life heaps of times.
Do you use any rear brake as your trail braking? Being 61 years old and riding since I was a teen. I feel like I'm a good safe rider. But watching some of your vids. I'm not to sure anymore. I love the vids on slow riding. Just ordered your "How to ride like a pro " Video. I'm sure it's downloading right now. I went to a show in Indianapolis a few years back & seen the Indy police doing slow riding in signal file, in & out of cones etc... Never missing a link on big Harley cruisers. & I thought. I need to be able to ride like that. Lets face it. At my age bikes are feeling heavy now. Probably because they are. As the bikes I started out with back in the 70's were dirt bikes & cb's 550 & 750's. But back then a 750-900 were big bikes. Thank you so much for your videos & helping riders to be better. God bless you. Donnie.
Yes you can trail brake with both brakes. The trick is to use just a bit of rear brake so that the front brake allows the fork to compress for more traction on the front tire.
It's the same thing, but under harder braking you risk losing the rear since weight is transferred off of it and onto the front. I strongly recommend using your front brake, there is significantly more grip and braking power. Plus in worst case scenario, washing out the front results in a lowside, washing out the rear can result in a highside which is significantly worse
The point of trail braking is to allow the fork to dip down there by putting more traction on the front tire. The linked system doesn't give very much front brake when using just the rear brake.
I learned that using your front brake in a turn when stopping will drop the bike. Been there done that. Straighten out the handlebars first, then stop. Seems like trail braking is for slowing down versus stopping.
Correct. Using the front brake in a curve is for slowing. And yes, when stopping you should square up the bars. If you have to stop while in a curve, as the bike gets near the stop you simply straighten up the bike. Notice the thumbnail photo from this video. The bike is leaned into a curve but the handlebars are pointed straight ahead. Thus, if I wanted to brake to a stop all I need do is straighten up the bike.
I think motogp guys normally use the rear brake when trail braking, but I’m not motogp guy and I am defiantly not taking from experience. Trail braking can save you, but it is considered an advanced techniques and proper speed into the curve is defiantly safer for road riding.
You'd think, but you'd be wrong. While true that most of the time going into a curve slow is easier, what happens when you go in slow and suddenly discover sand, gravel, a deer, a vehicle that crosses into your lane etc..If you are not covering the front brake, you will not have enough time to move your hand from the grip and begin braking. As I state in the video, trail braking is a technique every rider should have in his/her bag of tricks.
You probably prefer this method because you drive a car and have muscle memory already of using your foot to trail brake during a turn using your foot. it's called rear brake trail braking. Typically trail braking is done with the front brake. however trail braking can be done with the front or the rear brake or both. Most important part is not grabbing or stomping using smooth gradual pressure. The reason the front is prefer at road speed is front brake is more powerful than rear also it causes bike to transfer weight to front tire. This gives you a wider contact patch on tire and more control and grip with your steering wheel. What they call work the tire before you use the tire in Champ School where I believe Jerry got this front brake trail braking techniques from since it's the first time he introduced it in his videos. And Harley Davidson invited him and others to learn this on a track. Practice both each is a good tool to have. here another influencer and I believe Jerry Friend explain rear brake trail braking. He didn't attend the HD Champ School training however he's been there at least five times along with Moto GP school and teaches Total Control Advanced classes in which trail braking is taught. Jerry and other have been teaching rear brake trail braking I believe police give it different terminology however it's the same purpose to control speed during a turn so you don't go wide. ruclips.net/video/T_6tJsvK9hY/видео.html ruclips.net/video/T_6tJsvK9hY/видео.html
Using the rear brake for low speed turns is not trail braking. At low speeds using the rear brake just gives you another way to control your speed. Using the front brake at low speeds with the handlebars turned will put you on the ground very quickly. At speeds above 15 to 20 mph, since you are counter steering, the handlebars are not turned but simply forced into a lean.
When I first started riding in the 70s we were taught to NEVER use the front brake. Then in the 2010s I took the MSF course and they taught to use both brakes but don’t touch the front brake in a curve. And now trail braking is becoming more mainstream (e.g. not just for sport bike riders on the track) and that has transformed how I ride. And thank goodness I practice it even on my big ‘old hog (2018 Ultra Classic): the other day, I came into a blind curve on a back road in the country (one that I am very familiar with) a bit hot. Got on the front brake while upright but still needed to scrub some speed as I leaned into the curve. I trailed off the brake but still had light pressure when (and you can’t make this stuff up) I met a car coming in my lane as he swerved around a guy on a skateboard being pulled by his large dog. I added brake pressure simultaneously as I stood the bike up and I stopped in plenty of time for the car to get back into his lane. As I breathed a sigh of relief, the friggin dog went berserk and wanted to eat me🤬. I drove off and thanked my training and all those who convinced me to learn trail braking.👍
L, I applaud your willingness to keep learning, preventing a devastating accident!
You were taught by someone in the 70s? I just transitioned from being an avid bicyclist to a motorcyclist in 1981. No motorcycle license required. It was a pretty easy transition for me when it came to controlling the motorcycle. Now dealing with traffic was something else all together.
@@Dave-sw2dm yes I was taught by my Dad. He said “ride around the block and if you make it back then you are ready for your permit”.
I recently did a poll on Facebook to find out how many riders feel that the front brake is OK to use in a turn, and how many do not. The results were: 1/3 (about 50 votes) thought it was OK, and about 2/3 (about 100 votes) thought that it is not OK to use the front brake in a turn. That's kind of scary, what do these riders do if a car in front of them brakes mid-turn?
But I think it used to be even worse. I was taught in the 90's to never brake while leaned over, but at the moment, the MSF no longer says that (now it says that if you must brake mid turn, do it smoothly).
Glad you are helping to address these mistaken beliefs.
I mean the vast majority of situations like you described, the front brake isn't even that necessary, as opposed to the rear brake. Living in Atlanta now, I deal with this every day, and most of the time, the rear brake is sufficient if I even have to brake at all. Most of the time, I can simply downshift and engine brake. Now in an emergency situation, for sure, trail brake with the front. But proper awareness and lane placement is usually a bigger factor. If I know to expect cars ahead of me in a turn, I'm going to slow my approach, and make sure I have room and escape if needed.
"you dont wanna use front break and throttle break at the same time"... Finally someone has explained this part, so now I get it. Thank you Jerry... There is alot of indecisiveness about whether on not you can trail break using the rear break... From what you have explained and how i see it is that yes you can trail break from the rear break, however it is better to practice implementing it with the front break because.............
It is better to use the front brake to trail brake because it loads the front suspension, and loads your front tire giving you more grip on the front. Trail braking with the rear does not provide that, and has the added risk of locking up very easily.
trail braking is the best riding skill I ever learned besides dragging the rear brake in slow speed maneuvers but years of mountain biking already taught me that before I swung a leg over a motorbike.
Good video Jerry, the more information we can get out about proper trail braking...the better.
I live in Virginia and use this technique when I decide to ride out of the DC suburbs and hit the Blue Ridge Mountain roads. Great information and a skill that is good to practice. Next up: Jerry does "brake and escape" maneuvers to avoid those Florida python snakes crossing the road! Ha!
Thanks for another great quick tip to be made aware, practice and ingrain in riding...something I always notice is your helmet camera view is how the view stays "level" to the horizon and the bike leans in turns. Yes, confession coming that I have to learn how to turn the right way and unlearn past (bad) practice habits/riding in turns. Your video lessons are making a difference, very thankful. I have my RLAP USB drive now, missed the patch offer by a one week, that's all right tho. Thanks again Motorman for all you're doing to help us out!!!
Jerry- your videos are fantastic. I practice a lot of your techniques and have become much more in command of my bike. Thanks for making these.
I heard you give this tip some time ago and it has TOTALLY changed my ride.
THANK YOU SIR!!!
Glad to help!
Great video Jerry 👍. I do use that braking technique manoeuvre when I've sometimes gone too hot leaned over into the start of a corner and use the front brake to slow me to then avoid going over the dbl yellow lines on the other side of the road where there was cars. Saved my life heaps of times.
Another trick to add to my bag of tricks from Jerry. What's extra cool is they work! Thank you Jerry, God bless.
Thanks!
The best explanation on how to trail brake i have seen so far. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Interstate exit ramps with circles best place to practice this.
Trail braking. A new concept to many. Caress the brakes like it's your wife (significant other).
Very good stuff Mr. Motorman. Thanks!
Wanted to say thank you for another awesome video. What I don't understand is what you're doing with the clutch lever wall trail breaking
Nothing. The clutch is fully engaged.
@@motorman857 thank you for the answer
Are you completely off the throttle when you grab the front brake? Can't tell. Thanks
Great trips bud thanks for sharing take care have a great day
Thanks 👍
Another great video. Thanks Jerry.
Thank you for the example Jerry! 😊
Do you use any rear brake as your trail braking? Being 61 years old and riding since I was a teen. I feel like I'm a good safe rider. But watching some of your vids. I'm not to sure anymore. I love the vids on slow riding. Just ordered your "How to ride like a pro " Video. I'm sure it's downloading right now. I went to a show in Indianapolis a few years back & seen the Indy police doing slow riding in signal file, in & out of cones etc... Never missing a link on big Harley cruisers. & I thought. I need to be able to ride like that. Lets face it. At my age bikes are feeling heavy now. Probably because they are. As the bikes I started out with back in the 70's were dirt bikes & cb's 550 & 750's. But back then a 750-900 were big bikes. Thank you so much for your videos & helping riders to be better. God bless you. Donnie.
Yes you can trail brake with both brakes. The trick is to use just a bit of rear brake so that the front brake allows the fork to compress for more traction on the front tire.
How does the linked brakes affect trail braking
Not at all.
Wow motor Man . was that a squiggly sign I just saw?
I've always dragged my rear brake to trail brake and stayed off the front brake. Trail braking with the rear always tightened up my line.
It's the same thing, but under harder braking you risk losing the rear since weight is transferred off of it and onto the front. I strongly recommend using your front brake, there is significantly more grip and braking power. Plus in worst case scenario, washing out the front results in a lowside, washing out the rear can result in a highside which is significantly worse
I do this but use the rear peddle with linked breaking so much control especially in tight corners
The point of trail braking is to allow the fork to dip down there by putting more traction on the front tire. The linked system doesn't give very much front brake when using just the rear brake.
Great content & info! Thanks
You need a class in southern Louisiana my opinion should be mandatory in all the state's.
Love your videos
Thank you!
I learned that using your front brake in a turn when stopping will drop the bike. Been there done that. Straighten out the handlebars first, then stop. Seems like trail braking is for slowing down versus stopping.
Correct. Using the front brake in a curve is for slowing. And yes, when stopping you should square up the bars. If you have to stop while in a curve, as the bike gets near the stop you simply straighten up the bike. Notice the thumbnail photo from this video. The bike is leaned into a curve but the handlebars are pointed straight ahead. Thus, if I wanted to brake to a stop all I need do is straighten up the bike.
@@motorman857 Thanks! I learned squaring up the handlebars from your DVD. Will try learning trail braking next👍
I think motogp guys normally use the rear brake when trail braking, but I’m not motogp guy and I am defiantly not taking from experience. Trail braking can save you, but it is considered an advanced techniques and proper speed into the curve is defiantly safer for road riding.
You'd think, but you'd be wrong. While true that most of the time going into a curve slow is easier, what happens when you go in slow and suddenly discover sand, gravel, a deer, a vehicle that crosses into your lane etc..If you are not covering the front brake, you will not have enough time to move your hand from the grip and begin braking. As I state in the video, trail braking is a technique every rider should have in his/her bag of tricks.
Motorman, How do you clean your motorcycle seats? Thanks bro.
Soap and water.
Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great explanation, now I got ot! :-)
Jerry, did you travel up into the western panhandle to find some twisties? 😁
No, this is in Hudson Florida where we live.
@@motorman857
Yeah just giving you a hard time since I hear you say how you only have straight roads there. 😁
Hope the Camera Gurl is doing well🏍😀
Nice video bro 👌🏼😊
Thanks ✌
. . .and this works just as well with linked brakes?
Of course. The bike I'm riding has linked brakes as do all newer H.D. touring bikes and many other makes and brands.
Does this change when the front is more raked out? I drive a Texas Chopper and it's a tad long lol
The technique works on all two wheeled vehicles.
Great information !
That's what she said, lol...
Drive. LOL
JP you need to find some crooked roads!!! 😂
I dont understand it?
Roll in, power out.
I rather come off the throttle and use my back brake. That way I have full control of the throttle and better control of the bike.
Watch and learn ruclips.net/video/p8_cZecyJIg/видео.html
You probably prefer this method because you drive a car and have muscle memory already of using your foot to trail brake during a turn using your foot. it's called rear brake trail braking. Typically trail braking is done with the front brake. however trail braking can be done with the front or the rear brake or both. Most important part is not grabbing or stomping using smooth gradual pressure. The reason the front is prefer at road speed is front brake is more powerful than rear also it causes bike to transfer weight to front tire. This gives you a wider contact patch on tire and more control and grip with your steering wheel.
What they call work the tire before you use the tire in Champ School where I believe Jerry got this front brake trail braking techniques from since it's the first time he introduced it in his videos. And Harley Davidson invited him and others to learn this on a track. Practice both each is a good tool to have. here another influencer and I believe Jerry Friend explain rear brake trail braking. He didn't attend the HD Champ School training however he's been there at least five times along with Moto GP school and teaches Total Control Advanced classes in which trail braking is taught. Jerry and other have been teaching rear brake trail braking I believe police give it different terminology however it's the same purpose to control speed during a turn so you don't go wide.
ruclips.net/video/T_6tJsvK9hY/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/T_6tJsvK9hY/видео.html
Whoever named it trailbraking gave it a stupid name. A better name might be light front braking or something like that.
@@HangTimeSolutions thanks I’ve taken several high performance riding classes. In person. Not the RUclips type. I was being facetious.
Using the rear brake for low speed turns is not trail braking. At low speeds using the rear brake just gives you another way to control your speed. Using the front brake at low speeds with the handlebars turned will put you on the ground very quickly. At speeds above 15 to 20 mph, since you are counter steering, the handlebars are not turned but simply forced into a lean.
@@motorman857 thanks Jerry I didn’t catch that he said brakes with an s