Practice Emergency Stops
#1
07-17-2011, 01:38 PM
Join Date: May 2011
Location: the dry side of WA state
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Practice Emergency Stops
This thread, https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-and-why.html, got me thinking about emergency stopping, which most riders never practice.
I was talking with a local motor officer about the "Ride Like a Pro" slow maneuvering techniques which I'd been practicing. His take on that was that it was great for learning slow control for parking lots and to impress your buddies when pulling up to the local watering hole, but that it wasn't going to save your life in an emergency. He related that the best thing that he learned in motor school was emergency braking.
Here is his suggestion:
Find a little-traveled gravel road. At 5mph pull in the clutch and bury your back brake, keep your feet on the pegs/boards with chin up and looking where you want to go until almost stopped and then accelerate out of the stop. Repeat until comfortable, then increase speed in 5 mph increments and do it until you are comfortable at each higher speed. While sliding to a stop, downshift. Do NOT let off the brake when crossed up! He said that they had to do this at 40 mph.
I've practiced this until I know I can lock my back brake and ride it out.
I was talking with a local motor officer about the "Ride Like a Pro" slow maneuvering techniques which I'd been practicing. His take on that was that it was great for learning slow control for parking lots and to impress your buddies when pulling up to the local watering hole, but that it wasn't going to save your life in an emergency. He related that the best thing that he learned in motor school was emergency braking.
Here is his suggestion:
Find a little-traveled gravel road. At 5mph pull in the clutch and bury your back brake, keep your feet on the pegs/boards with chin up and looking where you want to go until almost stopped and then accelerate out of the stop. Repeat until comfortable, then increase speed in 5 mph increments and do it until you are comfortable at each higher speed. While sliding to a stop, downshift. Do NOT let off the brake when crossed up! He said that they had to do this at 40 mph.
I've practiced this until I know I can lock my back brake and ride it out.
#6
07-17-2011, 04:44 PM
I get enough practice with all the people pulling out in front of me.
Well, probably not enough. I have locked the rear many times with no problems.(did it today and there wasn't even any body in my way, just needed to get slowed down for my turn) It's when the front locks that my *** puckers.
I'll stay off the gravel if at all possible though.
I'm starting to miss that ABS allready since I traded bikes.
Well, probably not enough. I have locked the rear many times with no problems.(did it today and there wasn't even any body in my way, just needed to get slowed down for my turn) It's when the front locks that my *** puckers.
I'll stay off the gravel if at all possible though.
I'm starting to miss that ABS allready since I traded bikes.
#7
07-17-2011, 04:48 PM
Locking the rear brake accomplishes nothing other than risking a high side.
Learn to modulate both brakes properly. Your front brake provides the vast majority of your stopping power, particularly as the bike's weight shifts forward.
Matt
Learn to modulate both brakes properly. Your front brake provides the vast majority of your stopping power, particularly as the bike's weight shifts forward.
Matt
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#8
07-17-2011, 08:02 PM
I am an MSF RiderCoach and I agree that practicing braking is VERY important. I do not agree to practice skidding or locking either wheel. Practice NOT doing it and you will be just as effective.
The exception is bikes with ABS that learns. You can test limits on the braking system in a parking lot though.
The exception is bikes with ABS that learns. You can test limits on the braking system in a parking lot though.
#9
07-17-2011, 08:10 PM
while i believe that being able to threshold brake is a must have skill. skidding to a stop is about the stupidest way to learn it i can imagine. i teach it by riding side by side on a deserted paved road. (using both lanes) . the trainee brakes first with instructions to stop as quick as me. that way they learn to modulate the brakes by having a known safe target(me). we gradually stop harder and harder as the other riders' confidence and ability improve.
#10
07-17-2011, 08:17 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
This thread, https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-and-why.html, got me thinking about emergency stopping, which most riders never practice.
I was talking with a local motor officer about the "Ride Like a Pro" slow maneuvering techniques which I'd been practicing. His take on that was that it was great for learning slow control for parking lots and to impress your buddies when pulling up to the local watering hole, but that it wasn't going to save your life in an emergency. He related that the best thing that he learned in motor school was emergency braking.
Here is his suggestion:
Find a little-traveled gravel road. At 5mph pull in the clutch and bury your back brake, keep your feet on the pegs/boards with chin up and looking where you want to go until almost stopped and then accelerate out of the stop. Repeat until comfortable, then increase speed in 5 mph increments and do it until you are comfortable at each higher speed. While sliding to a stop, downshift. Do NOT let off the brake when crossed up! He said that they had to do this at 40 mph. BTW there are lots of youtube.com videos on hard braking technique on a motorcycle.
I've practiced this until I know I can lock my back brake and ride it out.
I was talking with a local motor officer about the "Ride Like a Pro" slow maneuvering techniques which I'd been practicing. His take on that was that it was great for learning slow control for parking lots and to impress your buddies when pulling up to the local watering hole, but that it wasn't going to save your life in an emergency. He related that the best thing that he learned in motor school was emergency braking.
Here is his suggestion:
Find a little-traveled gravel road. At 5mph pull in the clutch and bury your back brake, keep your feet on the pegs/boards with chin up and looking where you want to go until almost stopped and then accelerate out of the stop. Repeat until comfortable, then increase speed in 5 mph increments and do it until you are comfortable at each higher speed. While sliding to a stop, downshift. Do NOT let off the brake when crossed up! He said that they had to do this at 40 mph. BTW there are lots of youtube.com videos on hard braking technique on a motorcycle.
I've practiced this until I know I can lock my back brake and ride it out.
Last edited by fat_tony; 07-17-2011 at 08:21 PM.