Braking Basics
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
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From:
People who think they know how to go fast can do 155 mph and end up dead.
People who REALLY know how to go fast know first when to go slow.
To go fast all you need is testosterone, and any average male has more than he needs for good health.
Going slow requires something far less common: brains.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 1
You said it.
People who think they know how to go fast can do 155 mph and end up dead.
People who REALLY know how to go fast know first when to go slow.
To go fast all you need is testosterone, and any average male has more than he needs for good health.
Going slow requires something far less common: brains.
People who think they know how to go fast can do 155 mph and end up dead.
People who REALLY know how to go fast know first when to go slow.
To go fast all you need is testosterone, and any average male has more than he needs for good health.
Going slow requires something far less common: brains.
Being a good rider IMO isn't all about pure skill on a bike. It's about staying within those abilities (safety), respect for others on the road, preparation, maintainance, and bike handling skills. If it's in balance, you're a good rider. If anything's too out of balance, then you're not.
Not a single one of us should be above practicing your braking skills and/or getting proper instruction. Heck, when my wife goes to parking lot practice around the cones on her bike, I go too, and I've placed top 5 at the nationals in Daytona back in the 80s.
As I said before, I've seen 5 people crash on the street with my own two eyes (tons on the track, but that don't count). Every single time it was all or in part caused by locking up the rear tire. Every one of them not on a sport bike.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
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From: Rolla
This thread was dug up from the past.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids,mn
Thanks to everyone for their posts on this thread. I can never read enough about proper braking. I am in the never raced category, think they are crazy, and never owned or rode a crotch rocket, again think they are crazy also, but always respected the skill level needed to ride these types of bikes. Ride safe.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Edmo,
"As you apply the front brake, weight shifts forward and increases the amount of down-force on the front tire. This make the front tire "stick" to the road better which allows you to increase the amount of front braking. Assuming you are on dry pavement and have good tires, you will have to grab a huge amount of front brake to make the tire skid. Like it was said above if the front skids, slowly release to get it rolling again and then re-apply.
The rear tire gets "light" as the weight shifts forward during braking. This makes it easier to skid the rear with increased braking. Here is the problem: When the rear tire skids the rear of the bike will try to slide left or right and will tend to get you sideways. If this happens make sure you DON'T release the rear brake until you are stopped. Unlike releasing the front, if you release the rear tire while skidding sideways the bike will violently twitch as the rear tire begins rolling again and the bike attempts to straighten. It can be violent enough to toss you from the bike in a "high-side" ejection."
Exactly. Braking on a m/c is a skill for sure. Get used to using both brakes together with the above principles in mind as far as weight transfer regarding front and rear wheels.
I always use both brakes (unless in a turn at parking lot speeds of course - then you DON'T want to use the front brake in really slow speed turns). This builds a memory into your reactions so that when it's panic-time you react without thinking and you utilize maximum braking available to you.
Those who use the rear brake primarily and only use the front when "really needed" risk not being able to use both properly in a panic brake because that programmed memory won't be there when you need that front brake.
"As you apply the front brake, weight shifts forward and increases the amount of down-force on the front tire. This make the front tire "stick" to the road better which allows you to increase the amount of front braking. Assuming you are on dry pavement and have good tires, you will have to grab a huge amount of front brake to make the tire skid. Like it was said above if the front skids, slowly release to get it rolling again and then re-apply.
The rear tire gets "light" as the weight shifts forward during braking. This makes it easier to skid the rear with increased braking. Here is the problem: When the rear tire skids the rear of the bike will try to slide left or right and will tend to get you sideways. If this happens make sure you DON'T release the rear brake until you are stopped. Unlike releasing the front, if you release the rear tire while skidding sideways the bike will violently twitch as the rear tire begins rolling again and the bike attempts to straighten. It can be violent enough to toss you from the bike in a "high-side" ejection."
Exactly. Braking on a m/c is a skill for sure. Get used to using both brakes together with the above principles in mind as far as weight transfer regarding front and rear wheels.
I always use both brakes (unless in a turn at parking lot speeds of course - then you DON'T want to use the front brake in really slow speed turns). This builds a memory into your reactions so that when it's panic-time you react without thinking and you utilize maximum braking available to you.
Those who use the rear brake primarily and only use the front when "really needed" risk not being able to use both properly in a panic brake because that programmed memory won't be there when you need that front brake.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
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From: Nc
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