John S. Hegamyer is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and coaches at training sites throughout Virginia.

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Lesson #3 - Braking not breaking

John S.Hegamyer

Hey guys, I hope this installment finds everyone well and eagerly anticipating the coming warmer weather. We were fortunate to have a taste of spring weather last week and it sure was nice to get out on the road. As I was conducting my pre-ride inspection, checking air pressure, tire tread depth, looking things over, all the mundane stuff, I couldn't help but pay special attention to my brakes. Knowing we had to cover braking in this article, I spent a little extra time freakishly admiring calipers, rotors, even brake dust. As we all know there are numerous varieties of braking systems in use today: drum brakes, disc type, linked brake systems, integrated and even anti-lock. It matters not which system your bike may be equipped with, the serious matter is how you apply the brakes and use the power they are capable of.

Sadly, lack of knowledge in brake application does result in motorcycle accidents, some result in fatalities. Our goal here is to gain a working knowledge and respect for our brakes and hopefully reduce accidents that involve our two wheeled brethren. Most brake systems consist of a fluid filled reservoir and a lever or pedal that directs hydraulic pressure to the actual brake caliper and pads, thus slowing or stopping the rotor attached to the wheel. It's a simple design but greatly depends on good fluid, serviceable brake lines, good pads and clean, smooth rotors. First lesson, ensure the brake system is serviceable, consult your service or owner's manual, and conduct a thorough pre-ride inspection. Bottom line: Have a working knowledge of what makes your ride come to a safe stop.

Optimal braking is achieved when the riding surface is perfect, clean, level and dry; tires are in perfect condition, matched to the riding surface and filled with the perfect air pressure; riding posture is perfect while riding in a perfectly straight line with a perfectly maintained brake system and brakes are applied with a perfect amount of pressure and perfectly in unison. Yeah right, like that's going to happen!

What can we do to work towards that perfect state? Bike maintenance is on you, riding posture and using the brakes, maybe I can help. Proper riding posture positions your body so that you can react and control your motorcycle safely. Skilled use of the brakes relates to achieving optimal mechanical advantage in an effort to slow and stop all those expensive horses that you bought.

No matter what type of bike you ride, there are some basics associated with riding posture that effect braking. Head and eyes up, looking ahead and through your path of travel, the quicker you can perceive a stop or slowing point you have already decreased your stopping distance.

Shoulders up, no slouching here, plus it might make you look skinnier! Hands naturally on the handgrips with clutch and brake lever easily in reach. Sitting erect with knees close to the tank, this naturally aligns your feet with the gearshift and rear brake levers.

One of the first ideas we try to impress on new riders is the fact that the bike is going to go where you're looking. As we get to cornering techniques this will come up again, but for the meantime this concept reveals itself during braking to a stop. Have you ever come to a stop at a red light and felt you and your bike tipping over? Most often this is caused by improper head and eye positioning or looking somewhere other than ahead through your path of travel.

New riders inherently like to look down or somewhere other than ahead, resulting in early stops looking like a circus balancing act. Over correcting during an off balance stop can possibly result in entering oncoming traffic or veering into another lane. Squaring the handlebars with the frame of the bike also helps staying straight. So initially, braking really doesn't have anything to do with brakes at all. It's all in the head, well kind of.

The goal is to stop safely in the shortest distance possible, especially in an emergency situation. Remember that total stopping distance is the summation of perception, reaction, momentum and the physical act of stopping. First in the total stopping chain is perception. There is no substitute for heads up riding employing active scanning techniques. Continuously identifying potential hazards, and keeping constantly aware of traffic and road conditions while assessing areas requiring speed changes is one of your best defense tactics, and the first element of braking. Let's take a look at some practice techniques.

As you ride, pay attention to your riding posture. Head over to your practice area and continue to work on stop and go techniques. As you come to a stop assess your head and eye position. Try looking several feet ahead even as much as 100 feet ahead or more. Apply realistic scenarios. Practice coming to a stop as straight as possible, handlebars square to the frame of the bike and keep the bike balanced. Practice using both brakes together, get the feel of how each brake performs, not too much of either.

If you feel excessive front end dive or lock the rear wheels try reducing the pressure you are applying on the brake lever. Remember not to ride above your skill level. This may sound basic and rudimentary, but it will help you if you do need to make a quick emergency stop. If you ride long enough and far enough you will have to make that quick stop. As we progress we'll address more technical aspects of braking and emergency stops.

Take a skills refresher course and ride safe out there! Please visit the following: Motorcycle Safety Foundation website at: www.msf-usa.org Virginia Rider Training Program website at: www.learn2ride.com

Next issue: Brakes, brakes, brakes and braking.

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