John S. Hegamyer is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and coaches at training sites throughout Virginia. |
Lesson #4 - Brakes, brakes, brakes and braking
John S.Hegamyer
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Skills
Corner Introduction |
Fellow riders fear not, warmer weather is on its way. As we get to enjoy warmer weather and start to pull our bikes out of hibernation, it's time again to think about doing our best to keep ourselves from being a highway statistic. The numbers show that collectively we need to get better at braking and cornering or negotiating curves. Last time around we discussed some basics about braking and the important role that you as a rider play. For now, let's take a closer look at braking and maybe some ideas about how to get better at stopping.
We covered posture, head and eye position, stop and goes, squaring the handlebars, and using both brakes evenly. First up this time around we're going to touch on getting ours stops accomplished in shorter distances and as smooth as possible. As you practice, strive to reduce the distance in which you can fully stop the motorcycle. If you have a large enough area, try to increase your speed and continue to practice quick stops at higher speeds, it is a possible that you may have to stop quickly at highway speeds. Like the old adage says, practice makes perfect!
 The front brake can supply as much as 70 percent of your stopping power |
Now let's add a twist. Not all your emergency stops are going to be while riding in a straight line. What that means to us is that it may be advisable to practice quick stops while negotiating a curve or corner. Imagine if you will, while negotiating a curve such as an on or off ramp where you have to stop quickly for a disabled car or that pesky deer that is there to surprise you. Pretty hairy situation, pun intended. The first rule here is to get the bike upright as quickly as possible before you start the braking. The front brake can supply as much as 70 percent of your stopping power, if you have the handlebars turned and squeeze the front brake it could cause the bike to upset and possibly cause a high side fall. Not the best way to end your ride.
Taking a deeper look, it is imperative that you as the rider are responsible to be aware of the conditions that exist throughout the curve or corner. That means looking through the corner as far as you can, decreasing your reaction time by becoming informed as early as possible that you may have to stop. If there is a situation that you have to stop for, follow these steps:
- Look all the way through the curve or corner as far as possible
- Get the bike straightened up (Take the lean out of it)
- Square the handlebars (Aimed straight ahead, even if you come to a stop on the shoulder of the road)
- Apply the brakes, both brakes fully with equal pressure!
- Squeeze the clutch, turn the power to the rear wheels off
- Downshift, all the way to first if you can
- Now that you're stopped, catch your breath, relax and get ready to re enter traffic.
 Professional Superbike Racer Troy Courser hard on the brakes..... |
Now let's say that the same type of situation
came up, but this time you're down the street from the house making a turn at
the corner stop sign. Slow speed turn, no problem, same principles apply here.
You've got to get the bike straight, handle bars squared, use both brakes and
downshift. You may ask "why is the downshift so important?" Every time you stop
while on the road there exists the chance that there are cars and trucks behind
you that have not seen what caused you to stop. You know those folks that are
dialing cell phones, eating fries, or beating the kids. If you're in first gear
you are prepared to get on the throttle and escape being the meat in a metal
sandwich.
Aha, a new perspective. The quick stop just might be a quick
stop with a quick go. Squealing brakes behind you is not a comforting sound.
When you execute a quick stop be aware of traffic behind you. This should not
be a problem because as a good motorcyclist you are constantly scanning all
around you as you ride, this includes checking your mirrors often. Every time
you stop, whether in an emergency situation or just regular stops get the bike
into first gear prepared to take off if a problem arises. Even if you are
waiting at a lengthy stoplight, keep the bike in first gear with the clutch
squeezed. Put all the odds in your favor that you can.
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Let's review: |
1. Practice stops at
higher speeds |
We'll take a break from braking, please continue to practice as much as you can. Practice in a safe place and never over ride your abilities. There is some great information out there that can greatly enhance your skills on the road, visit as many websites as possible, read a skills book, and take a course.
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:
The Swerve
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Also see: |
1.
Braking Techniques
in pdf format |
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- Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough published by Bowtie Press available at Barnes & Noble
- Ride Hard Ride Smart by Pat Hahn Photography by Kim Halvorson published by Motorbooks International available at Barnes & Noble
- Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch published by David Bull Publishing available at Barnes & Noble.
- Total Control by Lee Parks published by David Bull Publishing available at Barnes & Noble.
- A Twist of the Wrist & A Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code available at Barnes & Noble
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