Brakes ! What brakes ?

   Proper braking is something  we must know how to do as riders .Sadly many riders do not know how to brake properly . Some riders only use front  brake . Others just the back .  We should use both for the most part . It sounds simple but there are things to know that will make your braking better and safer .

  There are mainly  two types of braking . The first type is called strategic braking . This is where you down shift letting  the clutch out for each gear and ending up in first gear at the stop . You brake as you down shift . The second is emergency , panic , or OH CRAP ! braking . For this one you don't down shift you just brake and come to a stop in what ever gear your in . The idea is too stop the bike as fast as  possible .

  Thing to consider ? How our brakes works . The back brake  will give you about 30% of your stopping  power and the front brake gives you about 70%  of your stopping  power. So why not just use the front brake ? This is not a good idea  for a few reasons .  First its hard on the forks when you dive the front end .Two  its powerful stopping yes but less stable and smooth .You need to stabilise the bike so the front end doesn't  dive hard  . So the best way to do this is with the back brake . Because the  back brake is mainly for just that as well as stopping . When we come to a proper stop we start by applying the back brake first then start applying  the front . Although  we are using both brakes together. When the back brake comes  on first it keeps the  bike tracking strait . The idea is to be smooth , back brake then front brake . After a while you will find you stop not only smoother  but the bike stops  more level . The front end will not  dive as much and will  not only be easier on the front  end,  but  you wont feel like its trying to toss you over the bars .Also we need to bring  our knees into the tank for better riding  position and control . 

  Is there times where its better to use just one brake ? Yes there is , just the back  brake at lower speeds . At speeds say less then 16km or 10mph  its better too use just the back  brake .The reasons are this. At low speed you can lock up the front end  easier .Especially  if there is  grit and other debris on the road, as well as rough surfaces   . Keep in mind most newer motorcycles have front  brakes that could stop a race car . So its over kill at slow speed . Another scenario is when you  do low speed  u-turns   . If you use your front brake with the wheel and handle bars turned  you might   lock up and drop the  bike .So its best to use just the back brake . Wet and  slippy surfaces use the back brake for the most part .  Other thing to keep in mind is to  keep the bike as upright and front end strait as we brake .Can we brake in a corner ? Yes but now we are getting into more advanced  skills . Its best to brake before the corner . But if you have to brake in a corner  you need to get the bike upright  before you start braking hard . Theses are just the basics .

 Braking is a big subject . And there is a lot more to be said and to learn. Advanced skills take  time . We need to get the basics down first . So understanding  the mechanics of it will help us advance .Ill cover more later .

Tip : Its a good idea to practise emergency braking from time to time . Get to know your bikes stopping distances at different speeds . Learn your brake thresholds so you don't over brake and lock up (if you don't have ABS )  . Go easy at first .  Check your brake lines and pads and fluid often .Ride well ride safe take care .