Stopping Distances
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 12
From: Ottawa, Canada
One place to get some info on vehicle performance is the Michigan State Police web page:
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7...6274--,00.html
They objectively test performance for candidate vehicles for police work and post their results. There is a section for cars, SUVs and bikes. You can search to your hearts content and make your own determination. I believe CA does this also.
http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7...6274--,00.html
They objectively test performance for candidate vehicles for police work and post their results. There is a section for cars, SUVs and bikes. You can search to your hearts content and make your own determination. I believe CA does this also.
Wow, the Harleys are total slugs compared to the BMW and Kawasaki.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Right, they are different bikes. Heavier by design, they are touring bikes, they carry more, better for 2 up, etc.
So if you want a bike for routine traffic stops and event patrols they are fine. If you want a bike for high speed chases then get a bmw or a kawi.
So if you want a bike for routine traffic stops and event patrols they are fine. If you want a bike for high speed chases then get a bmw or a kawi.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
That's why ABS brakes are a good investment. With ABS brakes wheels don't lock up so you don't loose control. However, "threshold" braking whether with or without ABS requires you to use both front and back brakes and be just on the verge of locking up. If you activate your ABS you grabbed too much brake. Practise makes perfect and helps avoid panic braking even in an emergency. All things being equal, you should be able to stop your bike in a shorter distance than a car as the mass is much lower on a bike. Remember physics class. Mass X Velocity = Momentum and Mass X Excelleration = Force.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Couple of thoughts. Seventy per cent of braking power is the front wheel. As motorcyclist, I sometimes don't get on the front brake hard enough, but at slow speeds the front brake can lead to problems. A motorcycle in a straight up position does not have a lot of rubber on the road versus what a car tire would have. I for one believe that abs is a much more effective system of braking in traffic.
Now for proper distance between vehicles in large metropolitan areas. If you are traveling seventy mph, you should leave seven car lengths of space between you and the vehicle you are following. If you do this, at least six cars will force their way into your lane in front of you.
Now for proper distance between vehicles in large metropolitan areas. If you are traveling seventy mph, you should leave seven car lengths of space between you and the vehicle you are following. If you do this, at least six cars will force their way into your lane in front of you.
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