Scottish Elises

Reading that the Moto GP is going to be racing at The Brickyard next season, on a modified F1 track layout, got me thinking.......

I've often heard that motorbikes take a different line through corners than cars, but have never known what that difference is.

Anyone know?
Why the difference?
How does a bike deal with a tightening corner?
Can bikes trail brake?


Just bored and my mind is wandering and wondering

Big D was trying to explain this to me on Saturday. I forgotten already!

Bikes tend to take a more natural trajectory round the corner, as they have less grip. A car would gain more by turning in later and getting on the power earlier (more tyre on the road, so more grip and traction).

Different bikes (& riders) get more gain from different lines too - the 990 MotoGP bikes used a more stop, turn and fire out style of line, where the current 800cc bikes, have gone to more corner speed to make up the time (as they have less power, therefore can use more of it cranked over, with the tyre not on it's fattest part)

It's all relative though

From reading the test reports (I don't actually ride, but follow the sport with some obsession ) Trail braking (that is braking to the apex) is something that some riders do occasionally, but with the big power bikes, it's mostly done in a straight line. Also matters which bike you're on, as some will sit up with the slightest brush of front brake, where others deal better with it.

That's probably got more to do with rider-specific setup though.

Tightening corner? Coast through and power-on later, or a touch of rear brake if you actually need to slow. Your turn in would be later too, to make the apex later. Cars have the same issue, as the last thing you want to hit when your tyres are at full side-load is the brake pedal - so there are few differences here between bikes and cars.