ZX6R.com

cupofjoe · 02-15-2012, 06:08 PM

I need a better idea on how to brake. I laid a bike over because I was going a hair too fast around a corner. I suspect I was on the brakes too hard as well. How do I adjust the braking for the front? When to use front or rear brakes? thanks all.

PowerGroove · 02-15-2012, 06:24 PM

You should get all of your braking done before you lean the bike over into the turn. I rarely use my rear brake personally (this may vary from person to person) as 80% of your braking force on a sport bike is in the front.

Braking hard isn't the issue... racers and track riders will go from 130+mph down to 60mph in mere seconds... but as I said... it's (almost all the time) done before the entry point of the turn.

One thing you also want to be aware of is the compression you're putting on the forks. You don't want to brake hard (compress the front end) then let off... then lean the bike in as you'll get sort of a "bouncing " effect on the front end... or an up/down movement. This transfers weight too much.

Brake... compress... and right as you're beginning the turn you should be letting off the brakes gradually.

Hold the line through the turn, and get on the gas just before apexing.

Others will definitely chime in I'm sure.

Practice and awareness of what the front end is doing will make all the difference. It's really like you're playing with physics and weight transfer.

Can you explain a little as to how you went down? Can you recall your steps of the moments before you laid it over?

cali636er · 02-15-2012, 06:28 PM

Damm Groove.!!!
Good shit, i doubt you will get better advice/explanation.
I also layed my old zzr down and my mistake was that i got on the rear brake while i was turning. Did u do something like this?

ninjazx6r636 · 02-15-2012, 06:33 PM

do you brake with full hand? I use 2 fingers

jake89 · 02-15-2012, 06:44 PM

i thought you werent supposed to use the front brake in a turn?

NuggetNik · 02-15-2012, 06:45 PM

I tired looking for your riding tips thread PG but couldn't remember what it was called on a quick search.... might be a good link here.... =]

NuggetNik · 02-15-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake89

i thought you werent supposed to use the front brake in a turn?

read what PG said again bud

yoshi · 02-15-2012, 06:47 PM

Powergroove explained it perfectly, the only thing I can add to that is..... when you apply the front brake don't just grab a handful. You need to load the front tire before going full on. If not you run the risk of the front tire skipping or at worse locking up, especially during the cold, wet climates.

ninjazx6r636 · 02-15-2012, 06:48 PM

I use rear brake in turns if not no brake at all

givuhcky22 · 02-15-2012, 06:52 PM

another thing besides braking, you should also read up on body position. here's a post from the king:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09ZX-6R

so heres how it works...
improper foot and rider position before corner entry and prior to prepping.

proper rider and foot position prior to corner prep. (notice the feet moved back to the toes, and your ass slides to mid seat. this straitens the back and shoulders.

now to prep for your corner entry. this is where the toe meets the peg nipple and the heel rotates up onto the heel guard. this in turn allows your knee to rotate out correctly with no effort or strain.

then slide your entire body to the side of the bike (in this case, to the right) so your asscrack meets the edge of the seat and your chest is inline with the mirror.

impropper position aka being crossed up

propper position

from there you will then lean your body forward and bend your inside elbow and straiten your outside arm.

the outside arm and leg should look like this. the elbow straitened but not locked, your knee griping the tank and foot slightly forward on the peg.

then relax your body and lean the bike into the turn while looking over your elbow and remaining tucked to the inside of the bike.

at this point alot of riders and some new racers are sketchy about hanging off the throttle side because there right hand and arm are unpredictable with maintaining body posture and control. the usuall mistake is this when the body is positioned but the hands are not. notice the bent wrist. causes strain and hard throttle control.

the best hand position is this... it maintains control and is totally strain free. quite comfy too.

MDeezy · 02-15-2012, 07:06 PM

Yup Powergroove have you a good ear full to digest.

Just to help beat the dead horse you moderation with the brakes. Worst thing to do when in a lean is to grab too hard on the front brake you risk straightening the bike up which will send you forward versus around said turn.

I've used rear brakes lightly in a turn when I felt I was going in too hot. Lesson learned was adjust my speed ahead of time.

Edit: Oh damn that a kick ass post there!!