Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Riding technique...braking...thoughts?

[Harv748]

Now I'm a typical average rider...slow to middle of the inters on a TD...CSS levels 1 and 2...so I would guess I have a good basic understanding of bike riding techniques etc.

However, one part of the picture I have never quite understood or feel I get right is braking, and by that I mean moderate to hard stopping.

The problem in particular is weight transfer and the correct positioning of the body during braking. I'm 14.5 st (cough) and always feel that I am having to use my arms to control my body during braking harder. Obviously this has knock on effects then for turning in, relaxing etc.

I have heard and read the theory from many people/places. I should be using my legs to lock into the tank to stop my self from sliding forward and crushing my nuts...definately shouldn't be locking out the arms etc. But then you watch any track rider on TV (MotoGP all the way through to domestic racing at grass roots) and riders are setting themselves up for the corner whilst braking, ie, hanging off with one leg sticking out at 90 degrees, ready for the turn in, certainly NOT using their legs to stop them sliding forward.

So what is the score...is it a conscious decision to 'lock-out' or not, do you sit right up front on the seat against the tank, so you can't slide further forward anyhow????

Confused of Oxford

[chris.p]

Always been taught to slide to the back of the seat(keeps the back wheel down) & brace with your legs when braking hard, as you ease off the brakes, reposition your body for the corner & turn in.


Chris

[domski]

Personally, I tend to use my legs against the bike or fairing to transfer some weight, but I also use my arms as well (but not like I used to - and got tired arms). Then once my braking is done and I start to turn, then I can move my leg out a bit, but I don't tend to get my knee down (I'm thinking about other things, like opening the throttle etc).

It's hard to explain in writing, and often it will be different from corner to corner.

My technique is probably completely wrong compared to what you may get taught elsewhere (and I'm happy to learn) but at the moment it seems to work ok for me.

Maybe you need to practice a few different things and then try to perfect whatever works best for you - whether it's by the book or not?

I dunno. I have no idea what I'm talking about

Can I go race yet?

[Lightning Boy]

I tend to lock my arms and sit up on really hard braking......if I have my arms bent on hard braking then my biceps take the brunt of the force and you'll find it pretty tiring after a while - locking your arms alleviates some of the effort needed to support yourself upright. Just before the turn I slide across the seat a bit to get or weight to the inside, I then try turn in as I come off the brakes at the same time - it makes for a smooth transition if you get it right. I tend to move about quite alot on the bike - I don't weigh very much and I sometimes find it a bit of a struggle to get the bike to change direction quickly when I'm going quickly - larger blokes probably don't have a problem. Same as Domski, although I've not got any c-strips left on the Pirellis, I don't tend to get me knee down either......probably because of my stubby little legs only just touch the ground when stretched out anyway
Braking and cornering are inevitably linked.......brake too hard and you turn in a bit early and end up making a 50p of the corner and brake too late and you end up stopping, turning the bike sharply and coming out of the corner in way too higher gear. I think the best idea is just to try to keep it smooth.

Originally Posted by Harv748

Now I'm a typical average 14.5 st (cough)