How do you slow down? Downshift first or brake?

[Tujik]

"At the same damn time!" Extend a middle finger or something to reach out to that front brake, clench your left hand, and blip! Or just clutch and blip, usually slows the bike down enough to glide right through the corner.. I noticed a lot of people tend to brake when they don't need it.. Give it a try, it definitely helped me get better.

[DanQ]

The way I came to understanding it from road race school is that you are down shifting because you are slowing down; not slowing down because you are downshifting. Brake hard, downshift to be ready for the next drive and as a by product it will assist in slowing you down.

My interpretation. Any resemblance to anything done by anyone who is fast is strictly coincidental.

[cheong1106]

1) roll off throttle
2) brake
3) clutch in
4) downshift
5) blip (flick the throttle)
6) clutch out
7) rinse and repeat

Slipper clutches makes it easier

[cheong1106]

I have a question though. I can't brake hard without both knees on the tank.

How the heck do they do it in MotoGP with butt hung off and one leg hanging.


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[z064life]

Originally Posted by cheong1106

I have a question though. I can't brake hard without both knees on the tank.

How the heck do they do it in MotoGP with butt hung off and one leg hanging.


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why do you believe they are braking hard while hanging off?

[cheong1106]

Cos it's right before the turn. As thats what you do before the turn. Brake real hard.

Also the videos read view can tell and hear the engine rev


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[z064life]

Originally Posted by cheong1106

Cos it's right before the turn. As thats what you do before the turn. Brake real hard.

Also the videos read view can tell and hear the engine rev


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very technical of you....your hardest braking is done before turnin....anything left is trail braking which decreases pressure.

the engine reving is bliping for downshifts or they are back on the throttle because they are leaned where they want/need to be.

[SPanega SS]

D!ck

[z064life]

Originally Posted by SPanega SS

D!ck

who? ME?!?!?! NEVER!!!!

[cheong1106]

Originally Posted by z064life

very technical of you....your hardest braking is done before turnin....anything left is trail braking which decreases pressure.

the engine reving is bliping for downshifts or they are back on the throttle because they are leaned where they want/need to be.

Yes I understand that. But braking really with 1 cheek off, bike upright, weight off the hands, just seems really hard. I have to still bring both knees to the tank to achieve the above.

The MotoGP guys don't. Just outside knee on tank and the other is already angled out or the leg is dangling.

So wondering if anyone does it or can advise how it's done.


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[Gearheaded]

Originally Posted by cheong1106

Yes I understand that. But braking really with 1 cheek off, bike upright, weight off the hands, just seems really hard. I have to still bring both knees to the tank to achieve the above.

The MotoGP guys don't. Just outside knee on tank and the other is already angled out or the leg is dangling.

So wondering if anyone does it or can advise how it's done.


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I know how they do that.

Be 5'3", weigh 140lbs, and be on the best motorcycles in the world with the best braking and suspension systems on the planet.

They brake the most pre-hanging off. I can it at the track, but it doesn't do anything sufficient.

[cheong1106]

Originally Posted by Gearheaded

I know how they do that.

Be 5'3", weigh 140lbs, and be on the best motorcycles in the world with the best braking and suspension systems on the planet.

They brake the most pre-hanging off. I can it at the track, but it doesn't do anything sufficient.

But they are only "not hung off" on the front and back straights. Rest of the time they are hung off and braking hard.

I tried it and got a cramp in my thigh!


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[z064life]

Originally Posted by cheong1106

But they are only "not hung off" on the front and back straights. Rest of the time they are hung off and braking hard.

I tried it and got a cramp in my thigh!


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throw a football 30+yards accurately....to someone sprinting down the sideline.

There is a reason they get paid millions to ride and you don't

[Gearheaded]

Just practice it of you feel it's that important I guess. A lot of them guys ride dirt bikes as well, so it helps. Personally I've hung off like that leg out while braking for fun or a photo shot with the old lady, but it's not necessary at all.

I wouldn't stress it

[Bhob]

Pridmore method - setup, roll off the throttle, down shift to corner exit gear, brake with the front while using the clutch as a brake (engine braking) to stabilize / slide the bike, start with 100% braking in a straight line, taper to 10% at apex, THROTTLE!!!

[z064life]

Originally Posted by Bhob

Pridmore method - setup, roll off the throttle, down shift to corner exit gear, brake with the front while using the clutch as a brake (engine braking) to stabilize / slide the bike, start with 100% braking in a straight line, taper to 10% at apex, THROTTLE!!!

couple questions....why are you down shifting before braking? Let me give you an example.....

Road Atlanta on the back straight can EASILY hit 5th and depending on your gearing possibly 6th. T10 exit is a 2nd gear for most (1st gear by Pridmore per my understanding from Burnz). Why are you shifting down 3-4 gears before braking....that would take quite a bit more time to let engine braking get you to where you CAN shift down rather than getting on the brakes and downshifting at the same time (or even brake 1st for the majority of it). I'm probably not understanding what you are actually trying to say

2nd, what is magical about the apex to be braking to that and then throttle? Throttle from my understanding, reading, etc should be applied as soon as you are at whatever lean angle you require for your speed/line choice. Many times you can be back on the throttle before the apex which will give you a better drive on exit.

[Bhob]

Originally Posted by z064life

couple questions....why are you down shifting before braking? Let me give you an example.....

Road Atlanta on the back straight can EASILY hit 5th and depending on your gearing possibly 6th. T10 exit is a 2nd gear for most (1st gear by Pridmore per my understanding from Burnz). Why are you shifting down 3-4 gears before braking....that would take quite a bit more time to let engine braking get you to where you CAN shift down rather than getting on the brakes and downshifting at the same time (or even brake 1st for the majority of it). I'm probably not understanding what you are actually trying to say

2nd, what is magical about the apex to be braking to that and then throttle? Throttle from my understanding, reading, etc should be applied as soon as you are at whatever lean angle you require for your speed/line choice. Many times you can be back on the throttle before the apex which will give you a better drive on exit.

Your down shifting the gear box but not letting the clutch out or the bs blipping, i blip because it sounds cool, with a slipper clutch or by using the clutch as a break it is really not necessary. So you're in your 'Exit' gear before the apex using the clutch or slipper as a break, sliding the rear, pointing it out of the corner, standing the bike up and whack back on the throttle with a wicked fast exit.

[z064life]

Originally Posted by Bhob

Your down shifting the gear box but not letting the clutch out or the bs blipping, i blip because it sounds cool, with a slipper clutch or by using the clutch as a break it is really not necessary. So you're in your 'Exit' gear before the apex using the clutch or slipper as a break, sliding the rear, pointing it out of the corner, standing the bike up and whack back on the throttle with a wicked fast exit.

so when do you let out the clutch...before turnin I hope

I'm not sure I agree with "whacking" the throttle...I would think a smooth rollon of the throttle starting earlier and progressing as you get the bike more upright would have a higher exit speed.

[Meister37]

Originally Posted by z064life

so when do you let out the clutch...before turnin I hope

I'm not sure I agree with "whacking" the throttle...I would think a smooth rollon of the throttle starting earlier and progressing as you get the bike more upright would have a higher exit speed.

When you're a pro racer, you don't need to worry about traction, just whack that throttle and let your talent figure it out!

Every corner is subjective. Each one has it's own nuances and requires a different level of braking, throttle, engine speed management, etc. Don't get all hung up on perfection til you can outrun your tires. As long as your methodology works and you're faster than everyone else, you're fine. If you suck and get passed all the time, you might want to search out someone faster and have them help you evaluate your skills.

I've tried pridmore's method and I can't do it. I always get deep in the corner trying to bleed speed with the gearbox and end up blowing the back side of the corner.

[z064life]

Originally Posted by Meister37

When you're a pro racer, you don't need to worry about traction, just whack that throttle and let your talent figure it out!

Guess I'm just curious of this other method to understand it anyway. I'm not the slowest, but Yamaha hasn't called me to ride for them yet, so I suppose I'm not the fastest either