Motorcycle Braking Guide

Motorcycle braking techniques can be difficult to master. Both the front brake and the rear brake need to be applied judiciously in order to brake effectively, but knowing which brake to use and when takes practice. If you’re interested in improving your motorcycle braking technique, this guide from Jim Moroney’s Inc. can help you get started. 

Apply The Brakes Based On The Situation

A motorcycle’s front brake usually has more braking power than the rear brake. In a typical situation, your motorcycle’s front brake should be doing 70% of the work, with the rear brake doing the remaining 30%. However, in emergency situations where you need to stop as quickly as possible, that will shift to being 90% on the front brake and 10% on the rear brake.

Dealing With Lockup

The reason that getting the ratio just right is so important is that overapplying either of your motorcycle’s brakes can result in lockup. If you do experience a lockup, keep calm and keep yourself steady. If your bike is going sideways, steer into the skid until you straighten out. Once you’re straight, release whichever brake has locked up. Motorcycle brake lockup can also be caused by poor maintenance, so give your brakes a quick inspection if it happens to you. If you’re really worried about your bike’s brakes lockup up, consider investing in anti-lock brakes. 

Use Your Clutch

Your clutch can be used to shift your motorcycle into a lower gear. This can be used to make your motorcycle decelerate faster. Of course, squeezing the clutch won’t activate your brake lights, so use your brakes in conjunction with the clutch to ensure that other motorists are aware of your intentions. 

Practice Emergency Braking

It’s easy enough to talk about emergency braking techniques while in a controlled environment, but in an actual accident you’re likely to panic and forget what to do. That’s why we recommend practicing emergency braking techniques in a safe place like a deserted lot. 

Unusual Road Conditions

When road conditions change, you may need to change your braking technique in response. For example, wet and slippery roads will usually require that you start braking sooner to compensate. Riding through standing water is tricky because there’s a danger that you’ll start to aquaplane and thus lose traction. Be sure to ease off the throttle while riding through standing water and keep your motorcycle as straight as possible. Stopping your motorcycle on a slope can be particularly tricky. Your best bet is usually to hold your brakes down and plant your foot on the ground to ensure that your tires won’t slip. 

Shop motorcycles at Jim Moroney’s Inc. in New Windsor, New York. We also have motorcycle parts and servicing. We’re proud to serve communities like Newburgh, and Cornwall, New York. We hope you’ll come visit us soon!