TARMAGO

Technique • Motorcycles on track

Braking on track

Prepare a controlled entry instead of trying to brake as late as possible.

Understanding the technique

Braking sets your speed for the section ahead. Brake application should build progressively, without grabbing the lever: it initiates forward load transfer. Release deserves as much attention as pressure build-up because it accompanies suspension rebound.[5]

Why it matters on track

Pressure that builds and reduces without abrupt changes helps manage the transition into the turn. The priority is not moving your marker later every lap, but an appropriate entry speed and controlled input. Later does not automatically mean better.[5]

Mistakes to avoid

Grabbing the lever, suddenly releasing it or braking later to follow someone. Avoid changing several parameters in the same session. An abnormal lever feel is not a confidence exercise: stop the work and have the motorcycle checked.[1][5]

Building it progressively

First have the motorcycle and access to its controls checked. Choose a corner where you feel comfortable and a conservative braking marker. In your group, keep that reference and gradually focus on smooth application and release, without seeking maximum braking. Always preserve a margin and review the session in the paddock before making a change. Rear brake use, engine braking and rider aids depend on the motorcycle: consult its manual and do not switch an aid off to follow this guide.

What you can check with Tarmago

Note your chosen reference and lever feel. In our telemetry tools, lap-by-lap times, gaps and splits in the lap analysis describe the overall result; the coloured trace shows recorded GPS speed. A speed reduction proves neither exactly where you applied the brake nor how much pressure you used. Do not infer lever modulation from that colour alone.

In our telemetry tools, lap analysis shows lap-by-lap times, gaps, splits with the best highlighted in red and a GPS-speed-coloured trace. Add your observations to the circuit notes, corner by corner. Review this information in the paddock, never as a distraction on track. GPS measurements do not show your gaze, brake-lever pressure or throttle opening.

Detailed analysis in our telemetry tools (speed curve, ideal lap and lap comparison) is part of the paid Tarmago+ plan.

Frequently asked questions

Should I hit the lever hard at the start?

No: avoid a sudden grab. Pressure should build progressively, with modulation suited to the motorcycle and conditions. In a familiar area, prioritise smoothness without seeking the grip limit and always keep a margin.

Is a braking marker valid for everyone?

No. Do not adopt another rider’s marker as an instruction. Choose a conservative reference and reassess it when conditions, the motorcycle or your ability to concentrate change. Do not try to stick to it at all costs.

Technical references

These references support principles, not universal instructions for your motorcycle. The practice suggestions and textbook position are Tarmago editorial guidance, separate from the sourced passages. Adapt them to your situation, progressing at a pace that preserves your margin. Your organiser’s rules take precedence over those of the schools cited.