I find this thread fascinating. I was trained to get the braking over with so you can let the suspension settle down, then crank over as a circular curve, getting the power back on when you can see the exit. But that was for 70s Japanese flexi-framed bikes with poor suspension and brakes and some nice triangular TT100 tyres!
In my experience brake right upto the apex on most corners, and then onto the gas. Absolutely it takes time and commitment to master, but it is by far the quickest way through a corner. Running modern tyres and suspension, you have so much grip right upto the edge of the tyre. The key is to be smooth with application, smooth but forceful with applying the brakes and as you rear maximum lean and the apex your gently releasing the brakes.
Someone once said "if you are not on the brakes or not on the gas you are out of control". Kinda makes sense. Trail braking is a learned art. MotoVudu expalins it well if you can afford Crafar's fees. Having someone give you a guide as to what a front slick is capable of also helps you to explore without taking unnecessary or dangerous (to body and wallet) liberties. Hodgson once followed me into turn 1 at Almeria on what was a 'fast for me' lap and he said "you were only unsing 60% of the grip availabe from your front tyre". Makes a huge difference to be in the 'know' a bit . My final name drop......I once had the benefit of riding Donny in the company of Freddie Spencer. He was the catalyst for really starting to experiment with trail braking for me. The precise control you get to pull the bike into the apex is a joy to experience. A combination of wisdom passed down from the Gods along with good old practice, practice, practice is invaluable when trying new skills. You only have to brake far too late into the Bus Stop Chicane at Aragon to really find out how much the front will stand. And I know from experience it's way, way more than my balls are prepared to be subjected to on a lap by lap basis :/
I made a conscious decision to check where I trail brake at Donington yesterday and it was most corners except for coppice where I brake, release and then tip in. I’m not sure why not on that corner but it just doesn’t feel right to me to do otherwise.
There's corners and corners. Coppice is the uphill, slightly blind entry I think, with space on the outsde once you are on the gas? Trail braking is for when you need to be pulling it down to the apex. When the front is about to go light (up hill, blind, fast entry and faster on the gas once you are settled) you don't need to be trail braking. DISCLAIMER - I reserve the right to completely change my post after the next time I ride Donington.
