Motorcycle Riding School/Corner speed2

I am a motorcycle riding school instructor, I have been teaching motorcycle lessons for 8 years. If you are interested in
a motorcycle course, motorcycle training or just motorcycle safety, than I am sure that I can help you between
my blog which you have found here or by my online riding school instruction at www.rlafferty.com. Earlier we discussed
some things as far as corner speed. We discussed proper braking and why not pulling in the clutch is important and
how momentum is key to building corner speed.

Lets talk about use of the front brake. Most people have issues in being confident in using the front brake. It
is that most people are scared of going over the bars or of the front wheel skidding out from under them. So lets address
these concerns. The front brake is used entering a turn, not in a turn. If you were to use the front brake while
in a turn the front wheel can skid out from under you. As far as brake control, simply you need to practice and find
the proper feel. Start at a slow speed and while entering a turn let off the throttle and as you do reach for the
front brake lever and apply pressure. Pressure is the key here, your not locking it up. You are applying pressure
to the front brake which slows the front wheel down. This is why proper front brake control is crucial to building
corner speed. The front brake is great to slow down the motorcycle but still maintain a proper sense of momentum. Rather
than just locking up the rear wheel and losing all momentum.So if front brake control is a issue for you, than we need to
set up some practice drills to combat this issue and give you better front brake control. Just simply set up a figure eight
in a field with a pole in each end to simulate the apex of the turn and to act as a tree. PVC pipe is best because it
will move if you hit it. A figure eight is best because your doing a left turn and a right turn back to back. So to start off
put the bike in second gear and accelerate smoothly. When entering the turn apply pressure to the front brake using
one or two fingers. Do not pull in the clutch or use the rear brake at all. Just practice the use of the front brake.
Work at it individually like this first then add use of the rear brake. Be sure to use the rear brake as we discussed before,
hold your leg tight to the bike and apply pressure to the rear brake pedal rather than just jabbing on it.
It is also important to remember to use one or two fingers on the front brake. I am most comfortable using just my middle
finger, because I have better control over the motorcycle by holding on with my other fingers and applying the front brake
with just one finger. This may take time for some of you to properly do without having to think about it. But once you work at
it you will have better brake control and improved corner speed.

So as a recap, you should set up a figure eight track with PVC poles at each end and practice cornering while using only
the front brake. Remember to practice this at a slow rate of speed until you become comfortable with this and can properly apply
front brake and still carry good corner speed. For more on motorcycle training you can go to www.rlafferty.com
motorcycle riding schools