tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post8205407729796153324..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-4721539780369308252009-08-06T11:08:58.670-07:002009-08-06T11:08:58.670-07:00I never heard of trail braking until a little whil...I never heard of trail braking until a little while ago when it became an internet fad and I doubt I will apply the front brake in a curve until I am ready to leave this vale of tears. I rememeber first learning the radical notion of applying pressure to the handlebars and putting weight on the footpegs and that made an enormous difference to my cornering. That was from a magazine interview with Giacomo Agostini which dates me a bit. Besides he didn't explain his techniques near as well as you, O master.Conchscooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016331487463993200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-64435000309764409202009-08-06T10:59:59.715-07:002009-08-06T10:59:59.715-07:00kz1000st,
Thank you for the question. It shows y...kz1000st,<br /><br />Thank you for the question. It shows you are capable of intelligent reasoning. I find that extremely refreshing in today's society!<br /><br />You have a correct, but partial picture. Let's zoom out and look at the whole bike. Keeping that picture in mind, zoom back in, but this time focusing on pivot points.<br /><br />For side to side motion, the bike pivots up at the steering head. When a bike "wags its tail" it's actually most of the bike that moves. The front tire stays pointed in the original direction. The whole rest of the bike is what actually moves.<br /><br />For up and down motion, the bike pivots where the swing arm bolts to the engine casing. <br /><br />Thus, rolling on the throttle puts upwards pressure at this point. As a whole, the bike is lifted. It's not like it magically floats straight up in the air. Rather, it's more of an angle. The closer you get to the front of the bike the greater the angle. This is where the bike gains its overall ground clearance. At the same time, the front forks are extended. This is really the critical component in absorbing bumps that might otherwise move the bike to another line. The rear suspension is important, but not as critical as the front in this regard. The whole bike follows the front tire, as it were.<br /><br />Since there is no intermediate pivot point along the swing arm on a chain drive bike, the dynamics of the swing arm geometry and the action of the chain around the sprockets do create a squatting effect on the rear tire, pushing down onto the roadway. Interestingly, it's this pressing down at the back that exerts leverage to lift the bike at the pivot point.<br /><br />Shaft drive bikes have an intermediate pivot point where the drive shaft meets the pinion gear in the final drive. It acts like a transfer case in a four wheel drive and changes the direction of force.<br /><br />Either way, despite differing actions at the rear, the net effect of rolling on the throttle is to lift the middle of the bike which creates the condition we're after.<br /><br />Suspension dynamics is an extremely complicated field. I'll be the first to admit that I am not the final expert on the subject. I do not have an engineering degree. My goal is to just try to translate the science into things that help the real world street rider survive!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-13497154919449607522009-08-06T10:37:59.684-07:002009-08-06T10:37:59.684-07:00Steve Williams,
Thank you, I try. The more we ca...Steve Williams,<br /><br />Thank you, I try. The more we can understand the better we can take care of ourselves. Your second paragraph is golden advice.<br /><br />Bobskoot,<br /><br />Between you and Steve, I'm blushing. Your corner entry method is spot on!<br /><br />Take care,<br /><br />Danirondadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-72474429716749929952009-08-06T06:57:50.356-07:002009-08-06T06:57:50.356-07:00"Firstly, rolling on the throttle lifts the b..."Firstly, rolling on the throttle lifts the bike and extends the suspension. Particularly with the front forks. This is important to street riders because the roadway conditions aren't as predictable as on a racetrack. In the real world we are going to encounter a lot of pavement irregularities, rocks, etc. If the suspension is extended, it can absorb the bumps without throwing our lines off. It's a critical aspect that's often overlooked."<br /><br />Dan, are you sure about that? My ancient drive theory says that Shaft drive bikes lift the rear when accelerated and chain drive bikes squat in back. It seems to me that backing off slightly on the throttle on a chain drive bike gives you more ground clearance and suspension.kz1000sthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10322913253825488007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-51002542066362104252009-08-05T20:31:54.746-07:002009-08-05T20:31:54.746-07:00Irondad:
You are such a good teacher, and explain...<b>Irondad:</b><br /><br />You are such a good teacher, and explainer. I now understand the theory but, like Steve, I do not push the limits and I know better not to overuse the front brakes while cornering. I am in the habit of slowing down and gearing down before the corner and gently powering out.<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">bobskoot: wet coast scootin</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-21212843488400152522009-08-05T18:19:46.184-07:002009-08-05T18:19:46.184-07:00I can always count on you Dan to explain technique...I can always count on you Dan to explain technique and put it in a perspective I can understand. Thank you for all you do in this area.<br /><br />I won't be practicing or putting trail braking in my rider toolbox. I consider myself an enthusiastic amateur with good basic skills and a healthy dose of common sense and a natural inclination to not push limits. At least speed limits. So no need for trail braking.<br /><br />I'll follow your advice and the advice of Mr. Rossi. How can I go wrong?<br /><br />Steve Williams<br /><a href="http://vespalx150.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Scooter in the Sticks</a>Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.com