First close call
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 11
From: El Paso, Texas
Yeah i have had a few of those close calls including a pickup with a long ladder in the back that pulled out in front of me. Dang near took my head off. Which leads me to my next question, under normal braking conditions how much % of rear vs. Front brake does everyone typically use?
Last edited by Dionicio; Aug 9, 2012 at 09:49 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: Bellefonte PA
I took an advanced riders course a couple weeks ago. There were 10 people in the class, some of whom have been riding for 40+ years. We practiced quick stop and evasive maneuvers and the majority if not all riders including myself locked up their rear brakes. We practiced and we got better. It really is a good idea to PRACTICE these things in a controlled environment so you're better prepared for the real thing. May not be as fun as just riding, but may prove to be very beneficial.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 7
From: the woodlands, tx
Much appreciated
Take the time and effort to let Harris share his information with you. It is very informative and well worth the effort required to understand and practice his advice.
Thank you for the copy you sent me sir.
Thank you for the copy you sent me sir.
As this post makes clear, the time to learn good braking technique; and the time to practice braking is NOT when you need the skills.
It is important (Life or death really) to have these skills. The way you practice is how you will react.
I've written a lot about braking in my booklet, which is always free. If anyone wants a copy, email me at:
motorlessons@hotmail.com
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
It is important (Life or death really) to have these skills. The way you practice is how you will react.
I've written a lot about braking in my booklet, which is always free. If anyone wants a copy, email me at:
motorlessons@hotmail.com
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
You're most welcome.
By the way, I'm in Instructor re-certification for the rest of this week, and the next two, so my response to requests may be in the 12 to 24 hour range (usually I do better than that).
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
By the way, I'm in Instructor re-certification for the rest of this week, and the next two, so my response to requests may be in the 12 to 24 hour range (usually I do better than that).
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I was taught, about 100 years ago, in a motorcycle safety course, that about 72 percent of a motorcycles stopping power is in the front brake. I have heard those percentages move as high as 90 percent, but you get the idea. That is pretty much all i use to stop with. The OL knows if my right foot comes up, we are stopping hard and she needs to hang on.
Alot of riders, myself included, forget what we were taught and develop many bad riding habits. The simple fact is that those bad habits could kill us.
Alot of riders, myself included, forget what we were taught and develop many bad riding habits. The simple fact is that those bad habits could kill us.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
From my motorcross racing days, you rarely used the back brakes. The instinct to grab front brakes now in conjunction with back brakes transferred over to the street in 35 years of riding. It's happened twice in the last year or so where I had to stopped quickly. Something I don't think about, it just happens is I slide up on the tank, so if they back end gets sideways it's not throwing my body around like a bucking bronc causing more forces to compensate for to the "slide".
