two bikes one deer. braking question
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
two bikes one deer. braking question
saturday the wife was leading on the rebel 250, while i trailed on the iron.
we were going about 50 mph, in broad daylight, when a deer leaped out in front of the wife. he landed about five feet in front of the wife, and leaped back off the road in the direction he came from as soon as he landed. CLOSE!
the problem:
both of us locked the rear brake on our bikes. worse yet, we both let off the brake quickly without stopping (MSF says we should slide to a stop). my bike got squirly like riding over a bridge grate (while locked up) and the wife reported a similar feeling.
the questions:
i did apply front brake, obviously incorectly. so, is this a matter of newb panic or reaction times? i have since tried applying both brakes fast and i find that my foot simply gets to the pedal faster than the hand gets to/pulls the lever. anyone else notice the hand is slower than the foot?
is there a way to compensate? or must i just keep getting in these situations and hope for better results (more experience)?
we both took the MSF course and we both use both brakes on almost every stop.
experience levels: i am @ about 3k miles and the wifey is @ about 150 miles.
we were going about 50 mph, in broad daylight, when a deer leaped out in front of the wife. he landed about five feet in front of the wife, and leaped back off the road in the direction he came from as soon as he landed. CLOSE!
the problem:
both of us locked the rear brake on our bikes. worse yet, we both let off the brake quickly without stopping (MSF says we should slide to a stop). my bike got squirly like riding over a bridge grate (while locked up) and the wife reported a similar feeling.
the questions:
i did apply front brake, obviously incorectly. so, is this a matter of newb panic or reaction times? i have since tried applying both brakes fast and i find that my foot simply gets to the pedal faster than the hand gets to/pulls the lever. anyone else notice the hand is slower than the foot?
is there a way to compensate? or must i just keep getting in these situations and hope for better results (more experience)?
we both took the MSF course and we both use both brakes on almost every stop.
experience levels: i am @ about 3k miles and the wifey is @ about 150 miles.
Last edited by volks-man; Oct 11, 2010 at 06:24 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
glad to hear u guys are ok. i had a guy cut into me (commin in my lane) and i did the same i locked the rear up, but quickly let off. i use my cluth now and downshift 2 slow the bike in normal stops. i heard if u leave the clutch out and slam the back breaks it shoulnt skid. i never tried it yet.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
Its normal for the rear to slide around when locked up.
You can get good at it and pull into the bar with the back wheel locked up and kicked out, looks bad *** and its fun!
I never had problems locking up the back wheel and then letting off the brakes, you just have to be ready for it.
If it is sideways, it will grab traction and snap into line with the front wheel.
You can stomp on the back brake almost anytime and get away with it.
You cant do that with the front brake, that takes thought.
Its always a judgement call with the front brake, sand, wet, speed, the amount of lean, so the brain needs to process the info.
If you don't process the info and just grab a handfull of front brake, you will be in trouble most times.
The more you ride, the more automatic the front brake action.
Brett
You can get good at it and pull into the bar with the back wheel locked up and kicked out, looks bad *** and its fun!
I never had problems locking up the back wheel and then letting off the brakes, you just have to be ready for it.
If it is sideways, it will grab traction and snap into line with the front wheel.
You can stomp on the back brake almost anytime and get away with it.
You cant do that with the front brake, that takes thought.
Its always a judgement call with the front brake, sand, wet, speed, the amount of lean, so the brain needs to process the info.
If you don't process the info and just grab a handfull of front brake, you will be in trouble most times.
The more you ride, the more automatic the front brake action.
Brett
Guest
Posts: n/a
Absolutely, 100% wrong. What happens is that you will stall the bike, and lose any chance of control. You need to go to an empty parking lot, and practice stopping hard with just the front brake. Learn where the breaking point is on your brake, so that you know when you are at the edge of traction with that brake. Then do the same with the rear. Then do both together. Do NOT teach yourself to downshift as a means of slowing the bike. DO grab the clutch, leave it in, and downshift at the appropriate speeds, revving the engine as needed to allow the transmission to select the next lower gear.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Absolutely, 100% wrong. What happens is that you will stall the bike, and lose any chance of control. You need to go to an empty parking lot, and practice stopping hard with just the front brake. Learn where the breaking point is on your brake, so that you know when you are at the edge of traction with that brake. Then do the same with the rear. Then do both together. Do NOT teach yourself to downshift as a means of slowing the bike. DO grab the clutch, leave it in, and downshift at the appropriate speeds, revving the engine as needed to allow the transmission to select the next lower gear.
tek:
i know that post was not aimed at me but i would like to mention that i can stop pretty darned quick and short when i want to using the front and rear at the same time without locking anything.
and
i do hold the clutch in during braking when coming to a stop... and i downshift as i slow so that i am in the appropraite gear for any given speed (clutch still in).
they did not teach us that in class... it just made sense to me so i do it.
brett:
i appreciate your comments regarding skidding. we are made to think that the rear tire skidding is about as bad as it gets.
in any other situation the balance of both brakes and the use or non-use of either brake is easily calculated for me.
what got me, i think was the fact that i applied rear so quickly. if i had been on the front as quickly i may have avoided the skid altogether?
the whole thing lasted about 1 second from a nice ride to a panic stop to a clear road again.......
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
The weather has been awesome here in the Delaware Valley! Great riding weather!! I am a newb and I am embracing the chance to ride as much as I can.
I actually used the horn on Saturday. I had my invisibility cloak on (I was on a cycle) and some lady was merging into my lane- with me in it. Her windows were open so I used the horn. It worked. Thank god. I was ready to use evasive maneuvers though.
Today, I left the gym and was going down a row in the parking lot and some lady comes FLYING across the rows (illegal) and I slammed on my brakes and she did too. Close call. Thank god I am always very cautious in parking lots in my car. Even more so on the HD.
I am sure the forum members have a billion worse stories. I was just happy that my Drivers Edge class instruction paid off! "Always be aware!"
I actually used the horn on Saturday. I had my invisibility cloak on (I was on a cycle) and some lady was merging into my lane- with me in it. Her windows were open so I used the horn. It worked. Thank god. I was ready to use evasive maneuvers though.
Today, I left the gym and was going down a row in the parking lot and some lady comes FLYING across the rows (illegal) and I slammed on my brakes and she did too. Close call. Thank god I am always very cautious in parking lots in my car. Even more so on the HD.
I am sure the forum members have a billion worse stories. I was just happy that my Drivers Edge class instruction paid off! "Always be aware!"
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: Daytona Beach, FL
I like to engine break when coming to a red light.
Now for fast stops, I will grab the front tight and the rear too but will let up a bit on the rear if it locks up.
Still practice, practice, practice is the best way.
Now for fast stops, I will grab the front tight and the rear too but will let up a bit on the rear if it locks up.
Still practice, practice, practice is the best way.
Trending Topics
Stage I
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
I've had a few near run-ins with critters, particularly as the sun is setting they seem to come out around here. And I tend to lock up the rear wheel too- whether it's right or not, I can control it better. Guess I need to work on adding more front brake to reduce stopping distance, so thanks for the post and the reminder.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 56
From: Vallejo, California
I imagine that tires with better grip helps in stopping faster and in a more controlled manner while also reducing the chances of rear wheel lock up.... Avon Venoms, Metzeler 880 ?... who uses them ??... please chime in... I still have the stock ones... not the best traction in my opinion...
Glad to hear you both made it out fine from what was a potential disaster. Personally I hardly ever touch the rear brake since 70% of the stopping power comes from the front alone.
Not to mention the weight transfer will have a tendency to lock up the rear under severe braking, I have gotten accustomed to mainly just rely on the front brake alone in order to keep traction and then counter steer (i.e push LEFT on the handle bars in order to go RIGHT) around the obstacle if possible.
Not to mention the weight transfer will have a tendency to lock up the rear under severe braking, I have gotten accustomed to mainly just rely on the front brake alone in order to keep traction and then counter steer (i.e push LEFT on the handle bars in order to go RIGHT) around the obstacle if possible.