Welcome back! In the last post, I talked about the basics of braking on a motorcycle. This week, I’d like to continue, and go into detail about the three main types of braking, or slowing, that we do. So, let’s get straight into it!
In this section, I’d like to examine the processes we go through during the course of our regular riding when we need to adjust our speed downwards, or stop our machine.
The idea for this “quick-tip” post came from a question asked by one of my readers: “I’m always nervous about moving off when I’m on a hill. What is the best way to do this?”
That is a very good question, and one that I often see people struggling with. Most of the problems people have is that they rely on the front brake, and then try to twist the throttle and let out the clutch at the same time as they are holding the bike from rolling backwards with the front brake. I’d like to offer a better method.
As it turns out, there is a simple way to ensure that you make a smooth launch without the panic, and without rolling backwards. I’d like to outline it here in bullet-point format.
Let’s start with you sitting astride the bike, engine running, side stand (kick stand) up, and holding the bike from rolling backwards with the front brake.
Still holding the bike with the front brake, put your right foot on the ground, and use your left foot to put it into gear.
Now, switch your feet around. Put your left foot on the ground, and put your right foot on the rear brake. Apply the rear brake, and let go of the front brake. You have now freed up your right-hand. No more gymnastics!
Now, it is a simple matter of releasing the clutch, and opening the throttle until you feel the pull against the back brake. Release the back brake, and you’re off. And with no panic, and no rolling backwards.
Continuing on our series covering the basics, I’d like today to talk about braking. There is quite a lot to cover here, so I have broken this subject into two parts. This week, we begin with part one. Before we get started though, I’d like to make an important note about general stability on a motorcycle:
A motorcycle is at its most stable when travelling at a constant speed in a straight line.
Why is that important to remember? Well, it’s because anything that causes us to deviate from that ideal condition is going to rob us of some stability. It is something we obviously can’t avoid, but it is worth keeping in mind so that as we are riding, we are continuously trying to keep the machine as near to that ideal as possible.
Continuing on covering the basics before moving onto more advanced topics, I’d like today to talk about steering.
On first inspection, steering would seem to be the most simplest of things. After all, most of us have ridden a bicycle haven’t we? You just point the handlebars in the direction you want to go, right? Well, it turns out that the whole theory of what it takes us to turn on two wheels can be quite complicated.
I came across this video today. It is produced by the Washington Motorcycle Safety Program.
It outlines the all too familiar SMIDSY. SMIDSY is a topic I shall be covering in detail in an upcoming post, but, for explanation, it’s an acronym for that all too often heard phrase uttered after someone has turned in front of you: “Sorry Man/Mate. I Didn’t See You”.
I think this is a great video because it emphasises the human aspect of the person under that helmet, and is very entertaining—despite its serious message. Good job, Washington State.
A very encouraging initiative came from the Motorcycle Industry Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers today.
Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework was devised in response to the slow-down in crash statistics for motorcycles in the UK.
Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework was devised in response to the slow-down in crash statistics for motorcycles in the UK.
The document acknowledges the benefits of two-wheeled transportation in convenience, economy and ecological friendliness.
Welcome to the Motorcycle Mastery Blog! Thanks for joining me. I will be bringing you weekly articles on advanced riding, and techniques to increase your enjoyment and safety out there.
Be sure to subscribe so that you can be alerted as new posts are published.
I considered carefully what should be the first entry in this blog. I didn’t want to make things too difficult to start with, so I’m going to start with one of the most fundamental safety tips – following distance.
Good motorcycle roadcraft (you will hear me refer to this phrase often) dictates that you always ride so that you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear.
Menu
Later Posts