Emergency Braking

[scracha]

Actually it was a whole bunch of test riders on a couple of different bikes, and they analysed the factors from all of them to determine the best method of stopping in the shortest time.

Don't they teach ya at school here to gather your information from more than once source.

[p.dath]

Perhaps i might just do that many in the next 6 months or so ! While you sit and read your theories p.dath !
You will i hope note, that my interest in the wiki has deminished in the last day or so !
I first thought Cool, somewhere for newcomers to motorcycling to pick up tips !
But it turns out it's somewhere for theorists to post their theories !! (Oh with many back up articals they may have read, i might add)
Something i might add to the Wiki !!!
Don't sit and read too much, as it will only distract you from the fact, that you will only learn where your or your bikes capabilities lie, by riding your bike !

You i believe (i could be wrong, but not too often) are all talk, with very little practical experience behind you !

I do not consider myself experienced in this area, so you are correct.

I also know that simply practising on your own has limited use. I've tried that. You need to practice with someone better than you, or learn (aka read) from a better source than yourself. This is because you don't know what you don't know. If someone has gone to the trouble of doing a large number of stops, and found a very good method than I am certainly going to give it my attention - and practice that method.

On the other hand, it seems you haven't even given these people the decency to read the results of the considerable amount of work they have put in. Perhaps you'll read it and learn nothing because you already know more than them. Then again maybe you'll learn sometime in the ten minutes of time you'll need to invest that may save your life.

[p.dath]

Don't they teach ya at school here to gather your information from more than once source.

I haven't found much compelling information to the contrary that was backed up by more than heresay.

The NZ motorcycle road code also backs up the report.

Googling on the subject suggests a lot of information either way.

[sinfull]

On the other hand, it seems you haven't even given these people the decency to read the results of the considerable amount of work they have put in. Perhaps you'll read it and learn nothing because you already know more than them. Then again maybe you'll learn sometime in the ten minutes of time you'll need to invest that may save your life.

You sir are probably well read ! I on the other hand am on the tail end of a very hard day on the bourbon hahahaha you go read a book and i'll have another bourbon ! Agree to disagree ! You stop quickly and i'll go round the outside ok ?

[p.dath]

You sir are probably well read ! I on the other hand am on the tail end of a very hard day on the bourbon hahahaha you go read a book and i'll have another bourbon ! Agree to disagree ! You stop quickly and i'll go round the outside ok ?

I think I shall join you, but I am more desperate for a beer.

[mossy1200]

It seems we have concluded that brakes should only be used as we approach pubs or if there is insufficient room to pass cars.
Vodka gets you where you wanna go quicker guys.

[Ixion]

Well, that was an informative thread, wasn't it.

[dipshit]

Anybody remember the Graham Crosby "when you got to stop, use the lot" tv ads?

[scracha]

I haven't found much compelling information to the contrary that was backed up by more than heresay.

The NZ motorcycle road code also backs up the report.

Googling on the subject suggests a lot of information either way.

You didn't look very hard.

Here is what's written in "The Official DSA Guide to Riding: The Essential Skills" book: Written and compiled by UK Driving Standards Agency.


Many motorcycle riders are, quite wrongly, afraid to use the front brake. This is often as a result of what they were taught as cyclists.

On a motorcycle....

• you must normally use both brakes
• the front brake is more powerful of the two brakes and the most important when stopping a motorcycle.


TO STOP MOST EFFECTIVELY

In good road conditions...

• apply the front brake just before you apply the rear brake
• apply greater pressure to the front brake

Applying greater pressure to the front brake gives the best stopping power in good conditions because...

• the combined weight of the machine and rider is thrown forward
• the front tyre is pressed more firmly on the road , giving a better grip

In wet or slippery conditions you need to apply a more equal pressure to both front and rear brakes.


USING ONE BRAKE ONLY

You'll take much longer to stop by using one brake only. But at very low speeds (walking pace) using only the rear brake gives smoother control.


WHEN TO BRAKE

Always look and plan well ahead to avoid having to brake sharply. A gradual increase of pressure on the brakes is better than late, harsh braking.

Follow these rules...

• brake when your machine is upright and moving in a straight line
• brake in good time
• adjust the pressure on the brakes according to the road surface and weather conditions.


WHERE TO BRAKE

Where you brake is very important. The best time to brake is when you're travelling upright in a straight line.

Braking on a bend - A good rider will plan well ahead to avoid braking on a bend.

On a bend the combined weight of motorcycle and rider is thrown outwards, To balance the rider leans inwards.

If you brake on a bend...

• the weight will be thrown outwards even more
• the motorcycle and rider may become unstable
• the tyres may lose their grip on the road surface

If you must brake on a bend...

• avoid using the front brake. Rely on the rear brake and engine braking to slow you down. If you must use the front brake, be very gentle. There's a risk of the front tyre losing its grip and sliding sideways
• try to bring your motorcycle upright and brake normally, provided you can do so safely.


Now bearing in mind the population, the amount of research they've done into the subject and the fact th at the NZ road code is a joke (70kmph learners limit and being able to drive for 30 minutes with light off after sunset to name just two stupid elements) then I know which agency guidelines I'd believe.

[Devil]

Well, that was an informative thread, wasn't it.

I find it quite concerning the misinformation in this thread, also the explanations on why things occur, or why we do what we do.

Is there a Nobel prize for attempted physics? Yikes.

I think the world would be better off if this thread was deleted.

Edit: For what it's worth. The linked, servo assisted ABS system on my GS Adventure is the absolute shiznit.

[NDORFN]

The moral of the story here is that if you have to read up on how to stop your bike most effectively in an emergency then you shouldn't even be on the road. Every bike is obviously different and in different condition, and the first thing you should do when you ride a new one is find the most effective braking technique for that bike. I'm glad this shit isn't going into Wiki.

[Devil]

The moral of the story here is that if you have to read up on how to stop your bike most effectively in an emergency then you shouldn't even be on the road. Every bike is obviously different and in different condition, and the first thing you should do when you ride a new one is find the most effective braking technique for that bike. I'm glad this shit isn't going into Wiki.

The information that is most valuable to a learner is what is provided in the road code.

* The front brake is the most effective
* Use both brakes progressively

[dipshit]

* The front brake is the most effective
* Use both brakes progressively

No shit. Yet we have a lot of track day junkies and instructors running around telling everybody to use the front only.

[p.dath]

I do concurr with your DSA article scracha, with perhaps the order of the braking. In the study that was done they found the read brake only had any impact for a very short period of time, before the weight was transferred onto the front wheel.

[p.dath]

The moral of the story here is that if you have to read up on how to stop your bike most effectively in an emergency then you shouldn't even be on the road. Every bike is obviously different and in different condition, and the first thing you should do when you ride a new one is find the most effective braking technique for that bike. I'm glad this shit isn't going into Wiki.

That's not a helpful view to take NDORFN. How do you propose people initially learn? Just by jumping on a bike and giving it a go?

It's no different to learning something in school. If you wanted to become a bike mechanic you can't just sit in front a bike and start playing (unless you want to be a very poor mechanic). You need to learn from others with more experience, read service manuals, study the different aspects of the machines you are working on.
Sure practice and trial and error are part of the equation - but if that is all you do you wont end up progressing very far.

The problem is, you don't know what you don't know. And if you don't take the time to learn you'll end up learning bad habits that may cost you your life.

I hope I don't stop learning. And I expect I'll still be seeking the advice of experts and reading well conducted research in decades to come.