This one is always good for a giggle although it's not so much under braking but some are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzB6KSlD6echttp://
Having done quite a bit of track riding and raced a bit over the years and just starting again now, the simple answer is yes, you can brake late and hard, but build up to it. A smooth line and thinking ahead is quicker ultimately. I know it isn't always possible to plan for everything, but the smoother you are, the faster you are. If the back starts squirming around, there is nothing wrong with that. Set yourself up for the corner in advance, look through the corner and this should help with the braking and exit too.
This is what I'm talking about nav, when I was braking into park corner at the end of the straight I was passing loads just by keeping it pinned and braking later. In a straight line the bike was fish tailing a bit, didn't feel out of control, just felt like it was doing it's job. Just wondered how much of this you can expect to feel before the front goes bye bye, obviosuly turning in I was trying to ease of on the brakes. Was generally softening up on the lever when tipping in and gradually taking the brakes off as I hit the apex. Can't really explain it! lol
Mate that sounds pretty good going from what you are saying! In the early sessions I had a few square hairpins from diving in too hot and just letting the bike slow down in a straight line before tipping in to the corner. The bike can take a hell of a lot in a straight line as long as you don't turn the front wheel or let the back go fully one way or another I find I just keep a gentle squeeze on if I'm a little fast for the corner until I'm happy with my speed then I get on with it lol I'm sure there are a few seasoned racers on here who could go into so much detail on this but I find for us newbies it's all about getting out there and getting the practice in! I've also been looking at using your lean to slow you down. The effect of the shorter circumference of the sides of the tyres helps reduce your speed as you're tipping in. It means less need for the brake which ultimately stands you up
Yeah man, fuckin love it. I was basically trying to brake as late as possible without disturbing my line and messing the corner up, using as much road was there and getting on the power dead early to try and keep up with the 1000s. Managed to KD all the bends at cadwell, its mint on the chicane. Was trying to keep it on the floor round both charlies and through park and chris to the gooseneck. Always ended up standing the bik up a little bit after chris' curve, must go faster!!! Wanna try and get down to 1:40 next time and see what people are like in inters. Why can't it be summer forever???
Yeah but I kind of figured the other day that the more KD and lean angle I was getting the faster I was going round the corner? You have to be going a certain speed to get in that position? My best track would just be a big left and right roundabout!!
Come do Snetty with me Tyke you'll love that track!!! I started doing gratuitous KD corners for the track day photographer until I realised it wasn't a photoshoot and to get on with my laps lol
and I wouldn't be able to do snetty my exhaust has no baffle and the limit there is as quiet as a mouse fart!
you'd think wouldn't you,but not always the case,just because youre knee is on the ground doesn't mean your at full lean,or going quick.my knee rarely touches the ground,except very tight turns,where it will grind more than skim,and my left never ever touches,but this is more down to on old injury so body position is slightly off. track times are all about shortening your braking area,be it harder or shorter,and lenghthening your "on the throttle".,you'll find that once you get to decent pace,apex speed,regardless of overall lap time is very similar to the top boys,it's how you get to and from the apex that makes the difference. just because you can brake later and harder than someone doesn't mean you'll get to the apex 1st(which is key).someone that brakes a bit earlier,but can tip earlier and trail the brakes more will ultimatley be quicker than someone that brakes as late as possible in a straight line,then has to release alot before they can go for the apex. it's a fine line,when i had my 1-2-1 at oulton last week,i was actually faster through the bends than spike,but this means carrying more lean angle,and more chance of runnning wide (and crashing),or not beibg able to get the power down as quick.it's a fine line that will take me many many more (enjoyable ) years to get right.if ever!!! but it sounds like your having fun,learning and importantly asking the right questions to help you get quicker.
Yeah man, and I do appreciate all the advice/feedback that I'm getting off lads much quicker than myself! I'm only 2 trackdays in so still very new to it all and still just getting the grin factor. I love having my knee down and I know everyone can do it but it just feels proper mint. Next time at cadwell though is more about getting fluid and consistent, chipping the times down and seeing how I can make a quick lap look easy by not overcooking it and trying to push the limit. I reckon I'll get round quicker just by using my head a bit more.
break the track down into sections and work on it that way,trying to do the whole track at once gets to be hardwork.ride round as you would,then at your specific part of the track,think a bit more about line,entry,braking etc.
I found that was the best way to do it on tuesday, first time I went to cadwell I made a right mess of the woodland section on every lap. Concentrated on it a bit more this time round and managed to nail it by the afternoon. Found it to be more about rythm when flicking right-left-right then into the hairpin, when it all started flowing and the bike felt like it wanted to do it I was
It does take time and sometimes you may feel yourself not progressing, but bear with it and after a time you will notice a difference. Ask advice at the circuit and see how other people do it, but being smooth makes all the difference.
Lots of good advice here Tyke!! Snetty is an awesome track with almost as many slow and fast and left and right turns, 2 long straights too. Not sure what others on here think but its hugely popular amongst all my bike and car friends
Try Anglesey or Oulton. After all they are different postcodes and it therefore isn't cheating technically.
Snetty is awesome!! Cadwell looks quite hilly and narrow.... I've got Donny, Silverstone and Brands GP on my list for this year
Im doing oulton next month with some lads off here. There was talk of a forum meet at donny too. I like cadwell cos its only £100 and its quite technical
