Can a motorbike out brake a car?

[The Stranger:Me]

Why?

I only use two fingers for braking and that is plenty.

Two finger brakers frequently forget to drop the throttle in an emergency. It's all well and good in normal braking, but I am referring to a panic stop.

We even had a riding instructor attending RRRS doing this in the weekend i.e. he was taking an exceptionally long distance to stop and when he finally pulled the clutch in the engine RPM shot up - he screwed this up several times. A hard habit to break. They all say they wont do it in an emergency, but we see it so frequently that I really don't believe them.

Better control, dexterity and modulation of the brakes as less effort is required.

Under very heavy braking, on many bikes you can get the lever to the bars, but if you have 2 fingers in the way, sorry, you just increased your stoping distance. Sure modern bike with a well maintained brake system it isn't likely to happen, though still well could under some circumstances.

There is little gain in time to get on the brakes by having 2 fingers there all the time, most of the time lost is processing the situation.

[sAsLEX]

Better show than top gear anyday

Rubbish. When did they drive to the North Pole or France?

[jrandom]

Under very heavy braking, on many bikes you can get the lever to the bars, but if you have 2 fingers in the way, sorry, you just increased your stoping distance. Sure modern bike with a well maintained brake system it isn't likely to happen, though still well could under some circumstances.

Point in case - Betty's brakes fade badly over the course of a 20-minute track session. On the first lap at Taupo I'm two-fingering into the hairpin; on the last lap I'm smooshing the lever back to the bars with a full fist; if I two-fingered it I'd crush my other two fingers.

For those as have mentioned braided lines, that's where they come in handy - avoiding fade. Cool fresh brakes won't perform noticeably differently between rubber and steel hoses, but after everything starts working at the limit and getting smoking hot, it's an entirely different matter. Well, so I've been told, anyway. I'll get a set in due course and see for myself.

If you never ride on the track or at quick-to-fast pace on the road, I guess braided lines would be a waste of time, though.

There is little gain in time to get on the brakes by having 2 fingers there all the time, most of the time lost is processing the situation.

Agreed. Does anyone actually ride with index and middle fingers off the throttle all the time? That seems pretty awkward to me. Surely one can open one's hand and grasp the brake lever in no more time than it takes to see and assess a situation.

And, yes, I can't see why you wouldn't go for the full grab in an emergency stop.

Weirdest braking behaviour I've ever seen: braking with the middle, ring and pinky fingers while leaving the index finger wrapped around the throttle.

[sAsLEX]

Agreed. Does anyone actually ride with index and middle fingers off the throttle all the time? That seems pretty awkward to me. Surely one can open one's hand and grasp the brake lever in no more time than it takes to see and assess a situation.

And, yes, I can't see why you wouldn't go for the full grab in an emergency stop.

Weirdest braking behaviour I've ever seen: braking with the middle, ring and pinky fingers while leaving the index finger wrapped around the throttle.

Yip I do nearly all the time.

Yeah a few of the racers do this with the outside three fingers....

[Gubb]

Pardon? Is it really a legal requirement that a bike can stop in 4.6 meters from 50 kmh? Since when is it a requirement that a bike must break all the known laws of physics?

My bad, i've obviously got my wires crossed somewhere.

[imdying]

Point in case - Betty's brakes fade badly over the course of a 20-minute track session. On the first lap at Taupo I'm two-fingering into the hairpin; on the last lap I'm smooshing the lever back to the bars with a full fist; if I two-fingered it I'd crush my other two fingers.

Pazzo shorties yo!

[Mikkel]

One tip, which will no doubt be contested, don't cover your brake with 2 fingers. All or nothing.

I would agree with that. While you can brake on a modern sportsbike quite comfortably with just one or two fingers you loose a lot of feeling with the brakes. More finger -> less effort -> less strain -> higher sensitivity and precision.

Who do you plan on borrowing a bike from to show him with?

Morcs should have no problems about lending Mark his bike again - after all he'd have no problem riding someone else's bike without a license.

An F1 car can outbrake a bike without touching the brakes.

Well, seeing as F1 cars generate a huge amount of downforce - that force has to come from somewhere and that manifests itself in a huge amount of drag. IIRC F1 cars can brake at up to 5-6G...

Weirdest braking behaviour I've ever seen: braking with the middle, ring and pinky fingers while leaving the index finger wrapped around the throttle.

Only explanation I could see for this would be to maintain some grip of the throttle while having a fair amount of precision on your brake. I wouldn't recommend it though - let your slipper clutch do the work and don't worry about blipping the throttle while braking...

[YellowDog]

With my drums all round, I should probably double that.

I believe that a bike will easily out brake an average car.

Yes, a brand new fat tyred ABS Motorbike on a dry straight road can easily out-break a 30 year old 5 litre Holden with bald tyres.

No problem!

[Dak]

Well it's not hard really i made morcs rvf400 with "wooden brakes" stop in a bike length from 60kph in a carpark after being on it 30 seconds.

Can do that same on a zxr....

Takes a fair amount to lock a front wheel, ive had front wheels start locking and skidding and try tuck under etc.... the trick it to keep strong arms to keep the bars straight....once its crooked and it tucks, you are screwed.

In saying this though i do alot of stoppies, so i have practised braking alot.

................BULLSHIT!...................

[mowgli]

With my drums all round, I should probably double that.

Drums, huh? Stink!

[henry]

Never read so much bullshit.

All other things being equal, a car will out brake, and out corner, a bike because it has greater contact with the road.

[mowgli]

Never read so much bullshit.

All other things being equal ...

But that's just it - bikes and cars are not equal!

[Weaver]

Never read so much bullshit.

All other things being equal, a car will out brake, and out corner, a bike because it has greater contact with the road.

Its the same thing that helps you accelerate faster than a car. The weight of the bike vs the car. 180kgs will be easier to pull up than 1200kgs

[Disco Dan]

It's interesting reading everyones opinion on this thread...

I challenge any one of you to come down to AWNMR this evening so we can watch people new to riding, outbreak all the posers! Why? Because riders that attend AWNMR are practicing - it's a bit like wanking, a 'dry run' before doing the 'real thing'.

When I first organised AWNMR it took me a long time to stop, why? because my bike was heavy? nope. Because my breaks where bad? nope. Because I did not have the confidence and the skills/knowledge to complete an emergency braking maneuver safely.

I have personally seen many a 'new' rider out breaking self proclaimed 'experienced' riders simply because they have better skills and more practice after attending AWNMR.

...Listen to The Stranger - he knows what he's talking about!

[nodrog:Me]

superbike vs supercar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZKRp...eature=related