Smooth stopping tricks?

[ST Guy]

ABS brakes. That’s what the cops use. :thumbup

ABS does nothing for stopping smoothly. ABS or not, one must learn to gradually release the brakes as the bike slows and approaches a stand still. It's all in modulating lever and pedal pressure.

Another skill is learning to shift smoothly so that one doesn't notice any jerk or jolt when shifting up or down. Essentially, making it seem as if you're riding a bike with a very smooth automatic transmission. You know that you've got it down when you can carry a passenger and the passenger can't tell you've shifted other than the sound of the engine.

 

[Caddywumpus]

I use 4 fingers and am plenty smooth yolo

 

[Blankpage]

Wish one finger could get the job done. Dispute radial calibers, master cylinder and brembos two fingers are needed.

 

[Beanzy]

Front only. I mostly tend to engage front brakes too suddenly, leading to a jerky stop. Sometimes, it works well, meaning that I come to a gentle stop, which is what I want to see happen all the time.

As with anything that you want to get good at, you need to practice being firm yet gentle in your brake application.

The problem with only using the front brake in a panic situation is you might squeeze too hard and then wash out the front end. That's why paying attention to the front end on braking at different speeds and distances is important. The less up-and-down motion as you brake firmer and harder at longer distances or shorter times, the better your control of the bike.

And do add and practice with the rear brake. If both brakes are disc brakes, the stopping power will be evenly distributed fore and aft, and with practice you ought not to panic in a panic-inducing situation. As your reaction will be practiced, using mindful control.

Remember that even CHP motos and local agency motos, the conscientious ones anyway, practice their moto skills.

 

[wheel_muse]

In non-emergency hi speed braking I tend to apply rear first, to stabilize the bike. Add front brake for power. Use gear downshifts if appropriate. Eyes up, scanning, and forward. :ride

 

[Beanzy]

The one thing that'll make you a smooth braker is ... anticipate what the asshole beside you, in front of you, and behind you will do.

So scan your mirrors. Be aware. And practice using your brakes every day. Because one day, being able to brake smoothly, quickly and hurriedly may save your life.

And when you have to make an emergency brake in traffic, do what cyclists do: shift your butt as far back on your seat as you brake front and rear.

Okay. My last two cents!

 

[East Bay Mike]

In non-emergency hi speed braking I tend to apply rear first, to stabilize the bike. Add front brake for power. Use gear downshifts if appropriate. Eyes up, scanning, and forward. :ride

How interesting. In school I learned to apply the front brake first. I’ll test out your method in the same scenarios.

So for high speed emergency braking, always apply front brake first?

 

[ZCrow]

I wouldn't.

Is the OP also, smoothly increasing pressure on the brake while gradually rolling off the throttle or just doing it like a car braking separately from throttle inputs.

Finishing, once slowed to a crawl with rear brake only and she would be able to balance for a second or two before putting your foot down.

 

[sportsluvr]

Thanks a lot folks for your feedback. I learnt a lot. I now need to practice using both brakes and take into account other valuable tips. Your feedback is much appreciated.

 

[sportsluvr]

I wouldn't.
Is the OP also, smoothly increasing pressure on the brake while gradually rolling off the throttle or just doing it like a car braking separately from throttle inputs.

No. I mostly use the front brakes using all fingers to boot! Got to change the way I apply brakes, and practice!

 

[Climber]

Squeezing the brake and gradually increasing pressure as needed. Gradually release the brake before a full stop.

You need to trust your bike's stopping ability, so you don't panic in an emergency and apply too much brake too quickly. That means practicing when it is safe and learn how long it takes to stop. You can flip over the handlebars on a modern sportbike because the brakes are that strong. The number of fingers probably doesn't matter - Rossi uses 4, Marquez uses 1. I'm a tweener and use 2 middle fingers. Practice.

This exactly.

Too many people continue to increase or hold full pressure until they come to a full stop. You have to feather the brakes, releasing them as you approach the full stop with barely any pressure when you do hit full stop. It just takes practice and an awareness of how to achieve your goal.

I do the same thing in a car, I don't want you to know when the car comes to a complete stop if your eyes are closed, that's what I strive for.

 

[moto-rama]

Ride a bike with shitty brakes.

Spend some years on old British bikes?

 

[DucatiHoney]

Moved to Riding Skills. :thumbup

 

[ZCrow]

No. I mostly use the front brakes using all fingers to boot! Got to change the way I apply brakes, and practice!

Then that is the key to smooth stops for you. It is similar to trail braking in that on a motorcycle, you gradually reduce or increase throttle while gradually reducing or increasing brake pressure. It is never an either or. So as you slow down, you gradual roll off the throttle while gradually increasing brake pressure. When you do it right, your bike doesn't dive/dip and you come to a smooth stop.

 

[sportsluvr]

So as you slow down, you gradual roll off the throttle while gradually increasing brake pressure.

When you say 'roll off', you mean loosen your grip on the throttle or slowly throttle down? If the latter, I tried(in the garage just now) to imagine how I'd do it in practice(throttling down while slowly increasing pressure on the brake lever), but that seems counter-intuitive although that is how it needs to be.

 

[DataDan]

When you say 'roll off', you mean loosen your grip on the throttle or slowly throttle down? If the latter, I tried(in the garage just now) to imagine how I'd do it in practice(throttling down while slowly increasing pressure on the brake lever), but that seems counter-intuitive although that is how it needs to be.

One way it is sometimes taught is to maintain grip on the throttle with thumb, palm and ring and pinkie fingers, while curling index and BARF fingers over the brake lever. In a coordinated motion, roll the throttle off while squeezing brake lever to add pressure.

 

[afm199]

As with anything that you want to get good at, you need to practice being firm yet gentle in your brake application.

The problem with only using the front brake in a panic situation is you might squeeze too hard and then wash out the front end. That's why paying attention to the front end on braking at different speeds and distances is important. The less up-and-down motion as you brake firmer and harder at longer distances or shorter times, the better your control of the bike.

And do add and practice with the rear brake. If both brakes are disc brakes, the stopping power will be evenly distributed fore and aft, and with practice you ought not to panic in a panic-inducing situation. As your reaction will be practiced, using mindful control.

Remember that even CHP motos and local agency motos, the conscientious ones anyway, practice their moto skills.

Incorrect. You don't want stopping power distributed evenly. The front discs have 90% of the stopping power, the rear disc 10%. Ideally you'll use some rear, or not. But you most definitely don't want to find some strange balance that loses 50% of your stopping power.

If you need to stop right NOW, the front, except in compromised traction, is how it is done.

Fronts wash out because of compromised traction.

 

[afm199]

Spend some years on old British bikes?

:rofl

Remembering racing Nortons, squeezing the front with all my might, pushing the rear pedal with all my weight, and considering whether or not to drag a foot help it slow down.

 

[moto-rama]

:rofl

Remembering racing Nortons, squeezing the front with all my might, pushing the rear pedal with all my weight, and considering whether or not to drag a foot help it slow down.

Maybe Norton, BSA, Triumph etc thought brakes were optional, like starting up?

You can always spot a old Brit rider, by the over-developed right leg.

 

[stangmx13]

front tires often slide in an emergency stop because the brake application was too sudden. the tire tries to stop before the weight of the moto/rider can push it into the ground, before the tire is loaded. this is the main reason why a smooth brake application is absolutely necessary. also, too quick of a brake application will cause the forks to compress further. if you bottom the forks, you are reducing tire grip - which can also cause a slide. dont slam the brake, apply it.

applying the rear brake first absolutely will allow a motorcycle to stop quicker. the CG lowers, which allows more front brake to be applied. however, this is when everything is perfect including timing. in an emergency situation, you might not want to take the extra time to think about applying the rear brake first.