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Question:

How do you brake in riding a motorcycle?

I know there two brakes. Front and Back.How do you break from 50mph on 5th gear.Please tell me step by step and how to brake and shift the gear when slowing down. which do you use most front or back and do you have to use both.

Answer:

Breaking form 5th to first (street) – This will depend on the situation and the type of bike. Because you are new and I will assume you are not on a sport bike here is the basics. 1) Practice coming to stops in a parking lot. Practice it slow and fast with the intent of building muscle memory. That means you should be doing this without thinking about it. 2) At 50 you see the stop light ahead turn red. Pull in the clutch and down shift and let out the clutch. Use the engine to slow down. When the engine is no longer slowing you down fast enough down shift again. Repeat until you are in 1st gear and apply breaks. Your left foot should be out a second or two before you stop. Then just lean to the left and rest the weight on your foot. To stop faster do the same thing but faster. To emergency stop grab the clutch and brakes and forget down shifting. (practice this too) I don’t want to get into it but if you are on a sportbike the rear brake does not need to be used unless you are on a track squaring off corners and I don’t think you will be doing that soon. The rear also helps with low speed (parking lot turns) otherwise I NEVER use it. As for the front brake only techniques I know what you all have been taught in MSF and by all means please do that. I am speaking from a racing and track background on this and it only applies with performance bikes with performance breakes. On a sport bike your front brake is strong enough to raise the rear of the bike in the air; what is the rear brake doing other than causing a highside? Let the rear roll! When you brake into corner hard enough to lift the back off the ground you will know what Im saying.
Breaking form 5th to first (street) – This will depend on the situation and the type of bike. Because you are new and I will assume you are not on a sport bike here is the basics. 1) Practice coming to stops in a parking lot. Practice it slow and fast with the intent of building muscle memory. That means you should be doing this without thinking about it. 2) At 50 you see the stop light ahead turn red. Pull in the clutch and down shift and let out the clutch. Use the engine to slow down. When the engine is no longer slowing you down fast enough down shift again. Repeat until you are in 1st gear and apply breaks. Your left foot should be out a second or two before you stop. Then just lean to the left and rest the weight on your foot. To stop faster do the same thing but faster. To emergency stop grab the clutch and brakes and forget down shifting. (practice this too) I don’t want to get into it but if you are on a sportbike the rear brake does not need to be used unless you are on a track squaring off corners and I don’t think you will be doing that soon. The rear also helps with low speed (parking lot turns) otherwise I NEVER use it. As for the front brake only techniques I know what you all have been taught in MSF and by all means please do that. I am speaking from a racing and track background on this and it only applies with performance bikes with performance breakes. On a sport bike your front brake is strong enough to raise the rear of the bike in the air; what is the rear brake doing other than causing a highside? Let the rear roll! When you brake into corner hard enough to lift the back off the ground you will know what Im saying.
Start riding on a dirtbike so ya aren't kild in traffic
First off, 50mph is only 3rd gear on my bike at low RPM, 2nd gear if I'm in the canyons and want to keep it wrapped up a little higher. I'll give you my 5th gear scenario: - Scoot my butt back in the seat - Start braking hard with the front brake - Give a little rear brake for stability - Blip the throttle with each downshift until I get to 2nd gear - Let off the rear brake and go all the way to 1st gear - Come to a complete stop with both feet off the pegs Basically, you use the front brake most often, and it can be applied quite hard. If you're not experienced enough yet, you'll be surprised at just how much power the front brake has and how mych stopping power you have before you lock up the front wheel.
First off, 50mph is only 3rd gear on my bike at low RPM, 2nd gear if I'm in the canyons and want to keep it wrapped up a little higher. I'll give you my 5th gear scenario: - Scoot my butt back in the seat - Start braking hard with the front brake - Give a little rear brake for stability - Blip the throttle with each downshift until I get to 2nd gear - Let off the rear brake and go all the way to 1st gear - Come to a complete stop with both feet off the pegs Basically, you use the front brake most often, and it can be applied quite hard. If you're not experienced enough yet, you'll be surprised at just how much power the front brake has and how mych stopping power you have before you lock up the front wheel.
Start riding on a dirtbike so ya aren't kild in traffic

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