With thoughts of spring on my mind and going from a air cooled 600cc to a V4 700cc, and a year and a half between, I have decided to take the MSF's Experienced Riders course this year. It is something that I have always wanted to do, to become a better and safer rider. I started the ball rolling today, but 2008 schedules are not posted yet. I am wondering if this course will help me make and take better lines through sharper turns. I would also like to learn how to use my rear brake better through turns, while keeping the rpms up, Ive always been afraid of the rear brake while in a turn. Well until this cousre starts Ill have to settle for Jeff Boehms "Lean Angle" column in Motorcyclist mag.
start by reading some books by Kieth Code; they will give you more to think about than almost anyone can fully absorb. the "Twist of the Wrist" series...... as for "rear brake in a turn"....Dan, your safe entrance speed should have already been set, thus eliminating need for ANY braking in turn. your bike will be most stable in turns if you are on a slight throttle, increasing through the turn.....worst situation is not being in proper gear or in neutral!! Never get into a corner in neutral! OTHERS might contribute here to good riding-improvement books?????
Yes those things are true, I was reading Michaels " Brake Dancing" thread in the riding tips forum and was interested in the method of , in certain situations, using the rear brake while cornering. I was always taught to stay off the rear brake while cornering as the rear brake will "stand the bike up", and take you out of your lean angle.I know that at slow speeds the rear brake gives the bike alot of stability i.e. u-turns, parking lot situations, stopping at a red light. But his message of using the rear brake was also geared toward what seemed to be higher rate of speed rear braking. with that said I have seen first hand the need for hard braking while in a turn, I want to be able to deal with the situation, should that arise, better without making a mess of myself or my bike. I am not a "squid" but I will be riding with some people I know who have been riding a while, and some who have not. Turns are where, most riders of any experience level, are unpredictable in the nature of everything else you cannot control. Thanks for the advice on the book though I like to read about riding techniques.
