Proper Emergency Braking Technique
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Yuma, AZ
Proper Emergency Braking Technique
I recently acquired an '06 Streetglide. I want to improve my riding skills and practice emergency stops before I need one. Can someone tell what proper emergency stopping technique is. I.e., applying the front and rear brake. thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
Definitely, take an Advanced Raider course or Rider's Edge Skilled Rider's Course.
Stopping my FLHTCUI fast was a scary rear wheel skid the first few times. Don't stomp on rear brake. Slowly press rear while squeezing front as hard as road conditions allow. If you hear rear locking and skidding release quickly.
If you screw up and go into a rear wheel skid, don't release. I never did it, but I am told that can cause a highside dismount.
I have ridden my FLHTCUI 12k miles, and am definitely getting much better at controlling fast stops. If you practice enough, it slows down, and seems like you have plenty of time to brake.
Good luck.
Stopping my FLHTCUI fast was a scary rear wheel skid the first few times. Don't stomp on rear brake. Slowly press rear while squeezing front as hard as road conditions allow. If you hear rear locking and skidding release quickly.
If you screw up and go into a rear wheel skid, don't release. I never did it, but I am told that can cause a highside dismount.
I have ridden my FLHTCUI 12k miles, and am definitely getting much better at controlling fast stops. If you practice enough, it slows down, and seems like you have plenty of time to brake.
Good luck.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 39
From: Land of the cold....
Definitely, take an Advanced Raider course or Rider's Edge Skilled Rider's Course.
Stopping my FLHTCUI fast was a scary rear wheel skid the first few times. Don't stomp on rear brake. Slowly press rear while squeezing front as hard as road conditions allow. If you hear rear locking and skidding release quickly.
If you screw up and go into a rear wheel skid, don't release. I never did it, but I am told that can cause a highside dismount.
I have ridden my FLHTCUI 12k miles, and am definitely getting much better at controlling fast stops. If you practice enough, it slows down, and seems like you have plenty of time to brake.
Good luck.
Stopping my FLHTCUI fast was a scary rear wheel skid the first few times. Don't stomp on rear brake. Slowly press rear while squeezing front as hard as road conditions allow. If you hear rear locking and skidding release quickly.
If you screw up and go into a rear wheel skid, don't release. I never did it, but I am told that can cause a highside dismount.
I have ridden my FLHTCUI 12k miles, and am definitely getting much better at controlling fast stops. If you practice enough, it slows down, and seems like you have plenty of time to brake.
Good luck.
and down shift when and if you can the motor will help slow ya down unless you dont have enuff time then leave clutch out and in the gear till ok to pull clutch in as that will make bike roll faster
It's a good idea to practice. Find a nice stretch of road where you can practice applying your brakes hard. Make sure you have a good view in front and behind you so that there's no chance of getting hit. I know of a few places that I can use. The problem with parking lots is usually you can't get up to enough speed. And also they tend to have a lot of loose sand, gravel, etc. Simply practice applying your brakes harder and harder. It will give you a lot more confidence and control in an emergency. You will find that it's nearly impossible to lock up the front wheel but a lot easier to lock up the rear. So by practicing you will get the "feel" or "sound" of the rear wheel starting to lock up. Then you will be able to get right to that point without actually locking it up (most of the time, not always!). And you will learn to modulate the rear brake to keep the rear wheel just on the verge of locking up.
Here's the big thing about what was mentioned regarding locking up the rear wheel. If you release the rear pedal just as the rear wheel is locking up, you are fine. I've done it many times. However, if you wait too long and the rear starts sliding out to the side and you release the rear brake pedal, you can then "high-side".
I think it's a good idea to practice with every bike we ride. It will really surprise you how hard you can hit the brakes. Usually much harder than you imagine if you've never had to do it.
Here's the big thing about what was mentioned regarding locking up the rear wheel. If you release the rear pedal just as the rear wheel is locking up, you are fine. I've done it many times. However, if you wait too long and the rear starts sliding out to the side and you release the rear brake pedal, you can then "high-side".
I think it's a good idea to practice with every bike we ride. It will really surprise you how hard you can hit the brakes. Usually much harder than you imagine if you've never had to do it.
Last edited by The Pawnbroker; Jun 22, 2012 at 11:50 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
go find an empty parking lot and practice!
I use heavy front brake, and feather the rear.
Make damn sure there isn't any sand on the road in front of you, that will drop
you so fast, you won't know what happened.
Don't slam on the front brake when the forks are turned, that's another instant dump.
be careful grabbing too much front brake if the road is wet.
rely mostly on the font, and use the rear sparingly, so you don't lock it up.
practice more.
peace
I use heavy front brake, and feather the rear.
Make damn sure there isn't any sand on the road in front of you, that will drop
you so fast, you won't know what happened.
Don't slam on the front brake when the forks are turned, that's another instant dump.
be careful grabbing too much front brake if the road is wet.
rely mostly on the font, and use the rear sparingly, so you don't lock it up.
practice more.
peace
Trending Topics
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
First, forget the downshifting. When emergency stopping, your total concentration needs to be on the task at hand. Downshifting puts additional stress and tasks on your brain, which is actually going to extend your stopping distance or send you into a skid. If you jam that rear brake, your a goner. For a beginner, practicing in a parking lot, 25 mph and under using the front brake is going to teach you how your bike feels while encountering alot of inertia. Once you learn to stop that bike with the front brake you can start working on incorparating the rear brake. The problem with using the rear, for me, is no matter how much I practice, there have been a few times where in a fast stop I could not help but press too much pedal down. Just like when your a passenger in a car and the driver is scaring the hell out of you. You press your foot hard as if you can stop. You would be surprised how fast you can stop a Road king with its dual front brakes. I have saved my *** by covering my controls, and being mentally prepared for a hazard like a deer, to present itself. PLP, parking lot practice will help immensely. Doing this wrong can kill you. Once the rear brake is locked, your in for a ride. So many guys tell the story " I had to lay it down". No they didnt do it purposley. They never figured out how to properly stop in an emergency situation. ANd they ground that rear brake right into a skid. Check out James Davis all things motorcycle safety site and read the safety tips. Good luck.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
First, forget the downshifting. When emergency stopping, your total concentration needs to be on the task at hand. Downshifting puts additional stress and tasks on your brain, which is actually going to extend your stopping distance or send you into a skid. If you jam that rear brake, your a goner. For a beginner, practicing in a parking lot, 25 mph and under using the front brake is going to teach you how your bike feels while encountering alot of inertia. Once you learn to stop that bike with the front brake you can start working on incorparating the rear brake. The problem with using the rear, for me, is no matter how much I practice, there have been a few times where in a fast stop I could not help but press too much pedal down. Just like when your a passenger in a car and the driver is scaring the hell out of you. You press your foot hard as if you can stop. You would be surprised how fast you can stop a Road king with its dual front brakes. I have saved my *** by covering my controls, and being mentally prepared for a hazard like a deer, to present itself. PLP, parking lot practice will help immensely. Doing this wrong can kill you. Once the rear brake is locked, your in for a ride. So many guys tell the story " I had to lay it down". No they didnt do it purposley. They never figured out how to properly stop in an emergency situation. ANd they ground that rear brake right into a skid. Check out James Davis all things motorcycle safety site and read the safety tips. Good luck.
This all goes out the window though if you have ABS.
Last edited by 2black1s; Jun 23, 2012 at 12:11 AM.