Trail Braking

[Albdore]

I’ve recently gone from an ‘86 XT600 to a 2010 Road King. I’m in the Algarve and the road I regularly use has 360 curves in a 30 mile run. Since the change I’ve started using rear brake only trail braking in most of the corners. It seems to give a lot more stability and with many corners being blind and the occasional tractor or camper van, that’s a big plus.
I keep a careful balance between the throttle and brake that means the power never goes completely off the rear wheel so no sudden jerk from power off to on.
For sure I’m not going fast but then the drivers here regularly go way over the solid white line.
So far no problems and my enjoyment of riding has shot up having alway been slightly bend fearful. For me it’s good that my throttle hand has only one thing to do. Curves are where it’s all at and there’s enough to think about already, speed, angle, ground clearance (especially on a big HD), road surface, other vehicles etc. To then have to think about both brakes and throttle and adjusting all three. Too much.

 

[Scort]

I’ve recently gone from an ‘86 XT600 to a 2010 Road King. I’m in the Algarve and the road I regularly use has 360 curves in a 30 mile run. Since the change I’ve started using rear brake only trail braking in most of the corners. It seems to give a lot more stability and with many corners being blind and the occasional tractor or camper van, that’s a big plus.
I keep a careful balance between the throttle and brake that means the power never goes completely off the rear wheel so no sudden jerk from power off to on.
For sure I’m not going fast but then the drivers here regularly go way over the solid white line.
So far no problems and my enjoyment of riding has shot up having alway been slightly bend fearful. For me it’s good that my throttle hand has only one thing to do. Curves are where it’s all at and there’s enough to think about already, speed, angle, ground clearance (especially on a big HD), road surface, other vehicles etc. To then have to think about both brakes and throttle and adjusting all three. Too much.

Welcome to the forum fella - totally not jealous of you living somewhere so nice

I too use the rear brake on corners (occasionally), as it's what I was taught during training, as one of the means to help slow down/help tip the bike into the corner more. Never really questioned it, as you would hope an advance rider training you, knows his beans.

I have always tried my best to be slow in and fast out.

 

[Kreeeee]

I’ve recently gone from an ‘86 XT600 to a 2010 Road King. I’m in the Algarve and the road I regularly use has 360 curves in a 30 mile run. Since the change I’ve started using rear brake only trail braking in most of the corners. It seems to give a lot more stability and with many corners being blind and the occasional tractor or camper van, that’s a big plus.
I keep a careful balance between the throttle and brake that means the power never goes completely off the rear wheel so no sudden jerk from power off to on.
For sure I’m not going fast but then the drivers here regularly go way over the solid white line.
So far no problems and my enjoyment of riding has shot up having alway been slightly bend fearful. For me it’s good that my throttle hand has only one thing to do. Curves are where it’s all at and there’s enough to think about already, speed, angle, ground clearance (especially on a big HD), road surface, other vehicles etc. To then have to think about both brakes and throttle and adjusting all three. Too much.

I only ride off road in the Algarve, the drivers are nuts there!