Yesterday while riding my brand new yamaha dirt bike i had trouble understanding how to brake....My dad told me i had to hold the clutch and apply the brake gently ,and im trying to figure out if when i go to a complete stop do i shift back to first or apply more gas on the gear im currently on Please Help Thanks
To brake a motorcycle you should slow down in the gear you are in, Don't lug the engine until it dies but just above idle pull in the clutch and apply the brakes. When you have come to a complete stop, keep the clutch in and shift the gears back to first or if you like you can shift into neutral and let off the clutch. Don;t forget the reengage the clutch and shift into first before taking off again.
Yes, you have to downshift to first. If you don't have the braking and shifting part of riding figured out yet, you should find a big parking lot (preferably an empty one) and practice braking and shifting. If you go out on the road or trails before you know what your doing the results could be extremely fatal. Take it from someone who knows. I'm not trying to sound like a know it all, I just don't want you to get hurt. Ride safe!!!
Talking dirt, right? Use engine braking... back off the throttle, downshift as needed. Use the front brake. Use the front brake hard. Use the front brake harder, fall down; okay don't use it quite that hard again. Nail the rear brake and lock up, slide rear to the right, lock the front, left foot down, slide sideways to a stop. Stopping in the dirt is part of the fun of dirt riding. A dirt bike is suppose to kiss the dirt. If you aren't going down you are no where near having as much fun as you could. Just avoid the cholla.....
well the front brake is at least 70 percent of your stopping power. Funny thing is I ride an olschool chopper with NO front brake and have no problem stopping. However if you only use the rear brake DO NOT lock it up because the rear of the bike will slide out to the right! Im working on a dual disk rear brake and that will solve this problem and make me a bunch of money.
You can either apply the clutch, come to a complete stop with the brakes, then downshift back to 1st. Or you can let off the throttle and use the engine to help you brake, but remember to downshift when the engine revs down to a lug or about 1500rpm if you have a tachometer. This is important because if the engine stalls and dies, the rear tire will lock up and skid. The first method is best for a quick stop, while the second is better for a gradual easy stop.
