Following someone faster is probably the best thing you can do. You will find that watching someone go into a corner further will give you a little more confidence. If they start getting in hotter than you are comfortable with, stay where you are comfortable. Nothing will screw up your confidence more than crashing. Only push your comfort zone a little bit at a time, but keep pushing it a little bit. I have the same problem you do, so I can give you this advice!
What you need to do is build your confidence in the brakes. Brake at the same point, but brake harder. Then you'll have the confidence that you can go deeper on the brakes without wondering if you are going to make it. Because going deeper and seeing what happens just puts you in panic and survival mode. Baby steps until you get to your limit. Then back it off 5% and take that braking action and use it to setup a good drive on the exit. Instant gratification.
+1. Watch moto gp. They don't "throw" or "flick". Smooth control is what you want. Set up for a corner before you get there, and look through it. Just my .02, and that's really just .01 before 1984.
Watch this is you want to see MotoGP smooth! The master of smooth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zMe6rQMmPEc
Great info! This is one of those threads that should get a bump at the beginning of every riding season.