To really get the hang of it, requires "building" a curve, using cones on a practice area. It's hard to envision the reality, until you actually experience it.

Consider that what we're talking about here is an emergency stop. At 40 MPH, a skilled rider is able to stop in less than 70 feet (this is actual stopping distance, exclusive of reaction time). Reaction time and braking preparation are occurring simultaneously with getting the motor out of its lean, so what happens is the straight line braking goes on for a relatively short distance. That straight line is usually contained within the rider's lane. If not, then prior to leaving the road, or one's lane if there's on-coming traffic, braking has to be abandoned, and evasive steering becomes the tactic to use. The idea is that at least considerable speed has been scrubbed off, so that evasion is now possible.

Again, I recognize that much of the above is counter-intuitive, but when you practice a little, you find that even a curve provides a lot of room to go straight.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

 

Also...

I want to be clear that I am not trying to be critical of the original poster's handling of the braking in a curve.

First, he obviously recognized the issue, and resolved it in a manner that kept the motor upright, and himself safe. At the end of the day, that's the only thing that matters.

Second, he recognized (as indicated in the title of his post) that he has room to improve through practice. All of us do, but not all of us think so.

Third, he has shown enough concern for the riding community to post his experience, for others to consider and learn from. It would have been easier for him to just keep to himself.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

 

Nice move. Glad you missed. I put lots of miles on my bike in your neck o the woods. Some great riding.

 

I don't believe you used your frt brake, you said your rear brakes locked up, the rear tire was skidding and that your bike got squirrely. Going into a curve 45-50 mph even after backing off on the throttle and concentrating on not hitting the deer, if you had used the frt brake you wouldn't have been skidding and I'm assuming you were skidding sideways. Also if both brakes were applied the bike wouldn't have been squirrely. You had to make a lot of decisions instantly,sounds like you made the right ones. Glad you came out of a bad situation without any injuries.

 

No, the front brake requires much more braking effort to lock than the rear. The OP's description of events is perfectly consistent with proper use of the front brake and slight over-use of the rear.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

 

I dont frown on hunting them at all. And no I dont hunt so that aint it but i have just about wrecked on bike and in car trying to miss them. I say if you hunt, kill all you want as long as you use the meat. Then there will be fewer for ke to dodge.

 

Nice job you stayed up and did not hit the deer I would say you did everything correct

 

Hey, glad you made it home in 1 pc.
You probably were on the front brake and did not know it at the time.

The O'$hit factor really comes into play and your not thinking just reacting, my bet is if you are a rider you did it right, a non-rider screws it up and learns a $hitload real fast.

Ride with love,

 

I'd say if you didn't wreck you did just fine. If you don't have ABS, good luck not locking up the rear brake if you're in that situation. So what you experienced is pretty normal for that situation except you didn't crash as most would or have. Its easy to give you advice while online. If you think you need more practice then practice. I agree with others that the erc is a good course.

 

You can't brake as heavily in any kind of a turn as you can when the bike is straight up because there's less tire in contact with the surface. Additionally, if you do brake too hard leaned over and lose traction, the potential consequences can be much more severe than getting into a skid with the bike up straight. The idea is that you brake as much as you think you can while straightening the bike up, and once it's straight, brake harder. While you're doing all that, you're trying to steer the bike to stay under control and on the pavement.