Trail braking

Trail braking is a cornering technique where you do not finish all braking upright, but keep a light, decreasing brake pressure as you turn in. As the lean angle grows, you 'trail off' the brake so that braking and cornering together never exceed the tyre's grip.

Benefits: the front fork stays slightly compressed, which sharpens steering and gives a bigger front contact patch, and you have a way to adjust speed if the corner tightens. It is widely taught in track and advanced road courses.

The key is smoothness. Releasing the brake suddenly makes the fork spring back up and unsettles the bike, while grabbing the brake at lean can make the front tuck. Learn it gradually, ideally with an instructor, and use cornering ABS if your bike has it.