Indeed we are. It is just that different bikes or bike set-ups often call for taking different approaches as to how one uses the brakes. Certain bikes I wouldn't think about touching the rear brake unless I overcooked a corner and instead of either standing the bike back up to re-apply more front brake (and run wide or off course) a little rear brake while still leaned over has often helped me tighten my line and prevent washing out the front tire.
Back on the rear brake, wheelie control was another thing as was controlling wheelspin. Cue the "I'm getting too old for this shit" as the bikes were making more power than I had the ability or desire to deal with. Too many things to think about and it became more fun outrunning liter bikes on outdated smaller displacement bikes by focusing more on being a faster rider than having the fastest bike.
When "backing it in" became a sloppy but effectively intimidating late braking style, it was easy and controllable use of modulating the rear brake that worked really well on certain bikes/set-ups and not at all on others.
I guess I'm taking an old gasbag's long-winded way of saying that we spend much of our riding life trying to impose our will and preferred style of riding or riding approach to every bike we enter into a serious "relationship" with instead of adapting ourselves (or riding styles) to accommodate the natural/intrinsic strengths of those bikes when they happen to differ substantially from what we are used to. It does get harder the older we get.
We spend so much time getting a bike dialed in to suit our style of riding. First with a good base-line set up and then (hopefully) just minor adjustments thereafter based on different tracks, track and/or weather conditions.
I know you you used to be an avid loather of Ducatis (or was it their owners?) but those where bikes I could easily dial in to work great almost ANYWHERE. Telepathic front end feel and could be adjusted to run well/fit a variety of preferred rider set ups.
I never owned a RC51, I rode a mostly stock one one on the track and it was heavy, slow and sloppy. Some time later I had a chance to ride one that had a ton of modifications invested/installed and even though it was just back road pace, it was extremely impressive from what i could tell.... I'm going back to sleep....
