JULY SAFETY ARTICLE

Time for the Brake

We have a lot of fun on our bikes while riding, but there are times when our fun machines must brake to slow down or come to a stop. However, do most of us really know how to stop our bike quickly and properly when needed?

We must not forget: “The front brake on our bikes can supply as much as 70% or more of our stopping power.” The single most important element of braking is use the front brake every single time we want to slow down.

Apply both the front and rear brakes at the same time. If necessary, apply them hard, but not so hard as to lock up either wheel. A locked wheel may cause our bike to skid and results in downright inefficient braking.

What is a skid? A skid is when our heart leaps up to the throat because the wheels have lost traction! We may have hit a patch of sand on a curve, wet pavement, oil slick or so on while trying to brake. It’s a frightening experience on a motorcycle, but we can handle it. Here are some examples if we should skid while braking:

• At highway speeds, if we encounter a sand-in-the-corner skid, steer slightly in the direction of the skid. (If we are leaning to the left and skidding to the right, turn those handlebars a bit towards the right.)

• If we encounter a slippery spot while braking for a stop light or stop sign and one or both wheels lock up, then we want to get those wheels rolling right away. We need to release the brakes for an instant, then reapply the brakes a little more gently. We want our tires to have traction.

Sometimes we may have to stop as quickly as possible for EMERGENCY BRAKING purposes. Here are some good habits to develop in order to stop quickly:

• Apply both brakes to their maximum, just short of locking them up.

• Keep the motorcycle upright and traveling in a straight line; and look where we are going, not where we have just been.

• We don’t want to lock the front brake. If this does occur, then release the brake for a split second, then immediately reapply without locking it up.

• If our rear wheel locks up, then do not release the rear brake. If the handlebars remain straight, then we skid in a straight line, which is all right. We have a more important priority and that is to get stopped.

There are rider skills courses offered that coach excellent braking skills. So for now, be ready when it is time for the brake.

Ride smart, ride safe and have fun,

-- David