How to brake quickly and safely

[Goblin]

Brakes are overrated. In my experience, in an emergency situation, I have survived by looking for an escape route and powering my way out of situations. As opposed to "target fixating" on the threat and trying to stop before hitting it.

If you've already been chucked off from using the rear brake, try getting used to using the front only. Find somewhere deserted and spend time practicing but take it one step at a time. Just dont go grabbing a handful and losing it.

[boomer]

As a learner, the rear was the one i always stomped on; i quickly learnt the errors of my way, especially in the wet.

[M1CRO:Me]

There is some good advice in this thread and some not so good...
Will catch up with in the next few days hopefully..
What are you up to on Friday after work?

I have to fly down to Dunedin to help out on a course on Sunday

[Disco Dan]

There is some good advice in this thread and some not so good...
Will catch up with in the next few days hopefully..
What are you up to on Friday after work?

I have to fly down to Dunedin to help out on a course on Sunday

cheers, friday i finish uni at 12.30 so anytime after that?

Much apreciate your help ay!!! legend!!

[Kittyhawk]

Like I said - crash

Come for a little blat and I'll stand in front of your bike and you'll stop quick!

PM me if you want to go out and practise, keen to join in never can do with enough practise

[Disco Dan]

Like I said - crash

Come for a little blat and I'll stand in front of your bike and you'll stop quick!

PM me if you want to go out and practise, keen to join in never can do with enough practise

i dont get it? you stand in front of me and i will wanna go faster?? havent you played 'chicken' before???

HAHAHA!!

[M1CRO:Me]

cheers, friday i finish uni at 12.30 so anytime after that?

Much apreciate your help ay!!! legend!!

Can I meet you at SKYCITY at 5:00pm and we can lanesplit to somewhere quieter? lol

You have my cell

[M1CRO:Me]

Have also put a calendar entry in for Monday 23rd as I will be back in Auck on Sat night

[Disco Dan]

Can I meet you at SKYCITY at 5:00pm and we can lanesplit to somewhere quieter? lol

You have my cell

Done! see you then!

[Grahameeboy]

I did a motorcycle training weekend a month ago with Roadsafe, & that is their emergency braking procedure. I did another course with them a year ago, & it was the same procedure back then. I am also booked into do their advanced course next weekend.. & it will be the same then.

You haven't got time to use 'engine braking' in an emergency stop anyway.. it's about stopping as FAST as possible, without locking it up. or losing it.. so you won't be 'using' the gears to stop you, like you do in a normal slowing down situation. Emergency stopping is about using the brakes.. & using them correctly. Also.. if you have stopped for an emergency.. you need to be stopped in first gear, with the engine running, clutch in, checking the mirrors.. READY for a quick getaway, should any trouble be coming up behind you.. like another vehicle. IF you have stalled.. you are not ready to MOVE out of harms way.. FAST.. if required!!

No just meant use engine braking..not by using gears. Advantage of a vtwin......as for fast getaway, see your point but I was just saying that stalling better than hitting something.

[cowboyz]

Im not a fan of pulling in the clutch to stop. If you want to stop in a real hurry then jump on both brakes. Pay attention to what your wheels are doing. If anything locks up or preferrably you will find the point just before it locks up release the brake and reapply. Drop gears if you can without locking up the rear.clutch in at last moment. Never take your feet off the footpegs. Keep scanning for an escape route. If an accident is unavoidable then look for the best place to crash.

years ago I was in some discussion about this and it was general opinion that you should toss the bike and get as far away from it as possible. I disagree just as much today as I did then. It isn't over till its over. My closest call was a truck not giving way at a roundabout. I didn't have a hope of stopping as I was already on the roundabout and I looked at the gap and went for it. Hit my knee on the front bumper of the truck but didn't drop it. Ride it out for as long as you can.

[Flyingpony]

And don't forget to squeeze/grip the tank with your legs while under heavy brakes otherwise the important bits will get, well, you know You'll then have that feeling.

As a sport bike rider, the rear brake is never touched during heavy braking moments because it can lock up so quickly it'll stall the engine, even with clutch covered. Also the rear end will then attempt to over take the front wheel.

Since the front gives 80-90% of stopping power, keeping the rear rotating gives better directional control than when it's skidding.

I've never bother with the idea of loading up the front by using the rear brake first, this wastes valuable braking distance. I've always gone start for the front. In corners I first look for escape routes, then stand it up and brakes!

Unfortunately I do frequently find myself in a too high gear for immediate take off, but at least the engine is 90% of the time still ticking over. If not, I'll thumb the starter while down shifting. Maybe because I'm in 5th at 50km/hr means I've got too many gears to quickly down shift since I'm normally sitting stationary in 2nd or 3rd. Had I a higher geared bike, I'd be in first gear.

As others have said, planning your escape route is equally important and ensuring where you do end up won't put you in further harm.

[DingDong]

I got caught out moving from my old RF900 to the Tl1000 I have now... got used to grabbing loads of front on the RF... tried it on the TL1000 (over-confident) and lightend/locked the rear... I'll just stop using it, usless on a sports bike (so I've learnt)

[XP@]

1) keep eyes UP on the horizon
2) keep bike upright & controlled
3) close the throttle
4) Apply FRONT brake progressively - squeeze
5) clutch in
6) Apply the rear brake progressively (to about half way, then forget about it)
7) Continue to focus & apply the front brake progressively until bike is completely stationary
8) down change through the gears just before coming to a holt (tap tap tap tap.. no throttle revs!)
9) stop in first gear, left foot down..
10) check mirrors & be ready to escape from possible dangers

Just remember that 3, 4, 5 & 6 are pretty much in parallel and take about 1.5 seconds to complete.

Whilst you should try and get a feel for where your rear locks, if it does then forget about it, just concentrate on your front brake. If your front brake gives you 90% of your stopping power then should not 90% of your attention be on it?

Do pull your clutch in early. If you don't then if the rest of your braking is going well then you will probably stall the bike well before you come to a real stop, this is NOT good if you want to keep going. If you are trying to stop do you really want the engine to be driving the rear wheel? Also how are you going to set the right gear for your new speed?

If you are getting in to a situation where you think you may need to stop fast, then ease off the throttle, cover clutch and brake with FOUR fingers, position your feet ready for brake and gear change. Then if you need to stop you can execute your pre-planned / practiced response. If you think 4 fingers is too mant then measure your stopping distance with two fingers then four fingers

[MyGSXF:Me]

Just remember that 3, 4, 5 & 6 are pretty much in parallel and take about 1.5 seconds to complete.

Correct!

Whilst you should try and get a feel for where your rear locks, if it does then forget about it, just concentrate on your front brake. If your front brake gives you 90% of your stopping power then should not 90% of your attention be on it?.

not quite.. if it locks.. release brake, then apply pressure again.. not so hard.

Do pull your clutch in early. If you don't then if the rest of your braking is going well then you will probably stall the bike well before you come to a real stop, this is NOT good if you want to keep going. If you are trying to stop do you really want the engine to be driving the rear wheel? Also how are you going to set the right gear for your new speed?

Stalling the bike is not a good practice.. or safe! keep tap tap tapping your left foot on the gears until you have come to a complete stop & can then safely put your left foot down.. & you are in first gear ready to take off again quickly if need be.

If you are getting in to a situation where you think you may need to stop fast, then ease off the throttle, cover clutch and brake with FOUR fingers, position your feet ready for brake and gear change. Then if you need to stop you can execute your pre-planned / practiced response. If you think 4 fingers is too mant then measure your stopping distance with two fingers then four fingers

You sound like the intructors I had!!! Are you????

Jen