I try to practice panic stops from time to time on back roads when there is no traffic around. On my 2007 FXSTC, I found that from 60-0 it took about 5 seconds counting like one-throusand-one, etc to come to a full stop (without locking anything up). I thought this was pretty good until I computed the distance traveled. I don't think I could stop any quicker unless I risked locking something up.

Compute deacceleration (60 MPH = 88 ft/sec)

V = Vo + AT
0 = 88 (ft/sec) + A(5 secs)
A = -17.6 ft/s**2

Now compute distance traveled:

X = Xo + VoT + 1/2 a T**2
X = 0 + 88(5) + 1/2 (-17.6)(5**2)
X = 0 + 440 - 220
X = 220 ft

I am seeing numbers like 135 ft on sport bikes and some cars. Am I doing this calcualtion correct? It seems all breaking numbers are in feet versus seconds. Has anyone done any testing like this on their softtails?

 

You computed right if I remember correctly from my physics days... I have never tried this before, but I would assume it would be hard to go from 60-0 on a motorcycle while trying to count the time in your head. I'm not even sure how long it should take to stop one.

BUT, sport bikes are a lot lighter and cars have a lot better brakes (ABS).

Try starting the stop at a light pole or something on the road and then look back and see how far it "looks". you should be able to get a rough estimate... at least to verify if your timing/calc was right.