STORE CLOSED FROM NOV 27 TO JAN 3
LEATHER JACKETS ON SALE FULL DETAILS
COVID-19 STORE HOURS NOTICE LEARN MORE
FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $249.00
Call us for assistance: 604-451-7843
RUBBER SIDE DOWN MOTORSPORT CLOTHING INC.
SPECIALISTS IN REGULAR AND CUSTOM MADE RIDING GEAR (WHOLESALE AND RETAIL) Retail and Wholesale - Specialists in Regular and Custom Made Riding Gear


Proper Braking on a Motorcycle 10/03/2015

I am going to write about some braking techniques today, designed for the beginner to intermediate rider.  As time goes on we will be getting into much more advanced riding techniques for the  seasoned "veterans" out there.  This will be coming soon enough. Hope this is as helpful as the last newsletter.

 

PROPER BRAKING ON A MOTORCYCLE

 

Motorcycles have two brakes, as most of us know.  The front brake, located in front of the throttle is operated by the right hand lever on the handlebar. The rear brake is operated by the right foot , and both are needed to stop effectively. I will outline some basic rules about braking which hopefully will make it easier for you to come to a complete stop sooner.

 

Use both brakes each time you slow down or stop. If you use only the rear brake, you may never learn how to use the front brake properly when you need it.  Also, if you learn to rely only on the back brake for slowing down, in a panic or urgent situation you will tend to step hard on the back brake pedal locking up the rear wheel which will then send the rear end of the motorcycle into a skid and  put you into a dangerous situation.  Along the same line, if you hammer on the front brake lever, the bike will stop abruptly and the tail end of the motorcycle may very easily raise off the ground, again putting you in a precarious position.  This of course depends on how fast you are travelling. The point is to apply a gentle, even pressure to the front brake lever while also using the back brake, to bring the motorcycle to a stop.

Many people don't realize that about 80% of the stopping power is delivered from the front brake.  Most new riders instinctively use their right foot to "stomp" on the back brake when fast braking is needed.  This is not proper braking.  Remember to practice  using the front brake along with the back brake.  When used together, the stopping distance is markedly less than using one or the other alone.  Many riders also believe the back brake should be applied first.  This is wrong.  The sooner you apply the front brake the sooner you will slow down.

I remember many years back learning that the front brake gave by far the most stopping power.  I felt hesitant at first to use the front brake as the feeling was unnatural, having become used to using the back brake to stop. I had visions of the bike stopping suddenly and me being thrown over the handlebars. I began to experiment and  was amazed to see how quickly and effortlessly I came to a stop, compared to using the back brake alone.

Here is a suggestion for honing your skills at using the front brake.  Find an empty parking lot, start gaining some speed and then apply the front brake slowly and evenly until you get accustomed to the stopping power and feel .  You will probably be surprised at how quickly you stop, and very soon you will begin to rely more on front braking than back braking.  Continue to do this and you will soon be grinning as you have now learned a new, invaluable skill.  Once you do this a few times it becomes very easy to see how much stopping power the front brake has.

An extremely important tip is this;  complete your braking BEFORE entering a turn whenever possible.  if you need to brake while in a turn, apply both brakes gently as long as the road is not slippery.  When leaning the bike in a turn, you have much less traction available for braking.

Finally, it is highly recommended that you seek proper training and equipment before riding a motorcycle, as the sport is inherently dangerous and the more skill you acquire, the better your chances of survival are.

 

Cheers,
Josh