Having trouble coming to a smooth stop
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Front and rear while braking..... ease off on the front as you come to a halt. Set your sight on something dead ahead, and watch that. As you come to a complete stop drop the tranny into first gear, plant your foot (it works as a "timing thing") Same thing for a start, set your focus on something in front, and watch it, as you accelerate.... it really is as simple as it sounds
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville..soon 2 b
FUNNY THING ABOUT THIS THREAD,,,,,,In reading it I couldn't figure out how I did it, had to go for a ride to see. I use the rear brake and the front in unison , as I stop I put the left foot down while using both brakes, feathering the front until I comepletely stop.. I think... Also as someone stated earlier, just do it naturally and don't put much emphasis on it. I find I do have somewwhat of a stability problem on stopping with girlfriend on back but I think that is just personal pressure being cautious....
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: South Central MO
hey guys, good posts all, but no one has mentioned the effects of lane and road surface conditions on stopping. If this was a perfect biking world, all stops would be at smooth level places with perfect lanes. In the real world we've got ruts, off camber, broken pavement, potholes, inclines and pedestrians to deal with and it can throw off your game. So if you stop a little rough now and then, think about the factors you're dealing with and take it easy on yourself. If you're on smooth level pavement and the judges give you less than a "10" then maybe you need some work. If you have a passenger on board don't worry unless you get less than a "9". Just my two cents.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Blountstown, FL
Get the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD.It is worth every penny you'll spend on it and it will teach you all the skills you need to know(and more)to keep you safe and in control.I think every one who rides could learn something from this DVD but it helps the most for touring bikes.I got to warn you though,watching the women maneuver their baggers around will probally hurt your feelings.I wish I was that good.Here's the link: http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 27
From: Southern Illinois
Get the "Ride Like A Pro" DVD.It is worth every penny you'll spend on it and it will teach you all the skills you need to know(and more)to keep you safe and in control.I think every one who rides could learn something from this DVD but it helps the most for touring bikes.I got to warn you though,watching the women maneuver their baggers around will probally hurt your feelings.I wish I was that good.Here's the link: http://www.ridelikeapro.com/
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 12
From: Nor Cal
Man, I had the exact same problem when I first got my Standard. Here's what I did to correct the problem; As others have said, come to a final stop using your rear brake. Keep your head up with eyes looking forward; I scoot forward in the saddle a bit also, especially riding 2 up, and don't creep up to a stop. Make up your mind where you want to stop the bike, ride to that point, stick your left foot out and plant it when you stop.
-Bill-
-Bill-
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
And I thought it was just me!......good info!
Question: Does the ride like a pro video teach you how NOT to run into the back of a stopped, waiting to make a left turn, Chevy Malibu??? Didn't think so, but I think I learned the lesson the hard way!
Question: Does the ride like a pro video teach you how NOT to run into the back of a stopped, waiting to make a left turn, Chevy Malibu??? Didn't think so, but I think I learned the lesson the hard way!
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
I ride an 07 RG. Depending on speed I'll do front first, then add rear and finish with just the front. If I'm not looking far down range I'll always wobble. It's the old you go where you look thing. The best stops are when I'm not thinking about it and am not sight seeing.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
I realize that this post is probably pretty played out, but I would like to add something that I'm not seeing mentioned much. These bikes that we ride have a higher center of gravity than the bikes that most of us started on, or are accustomed to riding. The rule of coming to your final stop with the rear brake has always applied, it's just really obvious on these top-heavy bikes. If you are ever in a slow turn and have to come to a stop, the problem becomes even more obvious. If you use your front brake to stop while your bars are turned, it's like there's a huge magnet on the ground trying to pull you over. It's every bit as important to be going as straight as possible when stopping as it is to use your rear brake. If your bike is tracking straight and your bars are perfectly straight, you will most likely stop straight, even using both brakes. If anything is out of line (bike or bars) you need to trail your rear brake to slow the bike without loading up the front end with all the weight of the bike. If you're not straight, you're loading all the weight on the front of the bike, and your braking, you are forcing the bike to lean over. Just my late 02 cents, mostly from personal observation.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 138
From: NE Ohio
I realize that this post is probably pretty played out, but I would like to add something that I'm not seeing mentioned much. These bikes that we ride have a higher center of gravity than the bikes that most of us started on, or are accustomed to riding. The rule of coming to your final stop with the rear brake has always applied, it's just really obvious on these top-heavy bikes. If you are ever in a slow turn and have to come to a stop, the problem becomes even more obvious. If you use your front brake to stop while your bars are turned, it's like there's a huge magnet on the ground trying to pull you over. It's every bit as important to be going as straight as possible when stopping as it is to use your rear brake. If your bike is tracking straight and your bars are perfectly straight, you will most likely stop straight, even using both brakes.
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