Riding Skill Series: Smooth Operator
From the April 2004 issue of Sport Rider magazine
writer: Kent Kunitsugu
1. Smooth downshifting helps foster improvedbike control. In fact, smoothness in all aspects of riding, whether it's braking,accelerating, or even body movements/weight shifts, can play a huge role in whetheryou're able to tackle your favorite road or track with confidence--or apprehension.You'd be amazed how much easier it is to go faster when your riding is relaxed, yetalert--not rushed and frantic. Pro racers refer to this as "trying too hard," and theyoften find that their lap times are slower because of it. When your physical actions onthe controls are too "tight" and somewhat impulsive, you end up concentrating too muchon those riding tasks, and trying to fix the mistakes that often occur because of thatrough riding style.
2. Using the brakes properly is probably one of the most difficult riding skillsto learn, and it requires much more skill than twisting the throttle. Many riders onlyuse the brake like a light switch: all on or all off. What they don't realize is thatnot only are they unnecessarily upsetting the chassis by simply grabbing a handful offront brake lever, but they also aren't utilizing the numerous advantages that applyingthe brakes smoothly offers. One of the biggest benefits of smooth braking is weighttransfer. By squeezing--not grabbing--the front brake smoothly (and quickly--remember,you're still trying to slow in a minimum distance), you're allowing the bike's weightto move to the front end, where it helps the tire gain more traction. If you go formaximum braking too quickly, you will easily overpower the tire's available tractionbecause there is hardly any weight on it (and hence, a smaller contact patch) at that time.
3. Another advantage related to smooth brake application is the weighttransfer's effect on the front suspension. Abruptly applying too much front brakesuddenly slams all the bike's weight forward, usually overpowering the fork springs anddamping to the point of fully bottoming the fork. With no available fork travel toabsorb any bumps, the chassis often becomes very unstable, as the rear of the biketends to pivot around the steering head. This results in the "tail wagging" you oftensee from racebikes at the limit of braking (Ben Bostrom's braking style is a perfectexample), and this usually causes bike control problems for most riders entering acorner.By smoothly applying the front brake, you're allowing the chassis weight to"set" on the front end and assist the front tire's traction level before you suddenlydemand maximum performance from both the tire and front fork.
4. Another benefit of learning to smoothly apply the front brake is that thetechnique helps teach brake modulation. A brake is just like the throttle; it is aspeed control. And just as you learn to use the throttle judiciously on corner exits asyou balance power with available traction, the same can be said for the brakes on theentrance to the corner. Learning how to gauge and control your speed as you approachthe end of the braking zone can help add mph to your corner entrance and midcornerspeed, which will usually pay dividends off the corner and down the next straight. Moreimportantly, however, learning brake modulation will also help save your bacon on thestreet. Gaining maximum braking by balancing on the fine line of tire traction as youslow to avoid that errant four-wheeler is much easier with this acquired and veryvaluable skill, and with continual practice, the act of using the brakes properly willbecome natural to you.
