NEWS AND EVENTS



News, updates and links on rider safety.


Braking Tips

posted Nov 8, 2010, 11:15 PM by Tarl Cabot   [ updated Aug 11, 2011, 3:34 PM by Desmond Rodenbour ]

Start with the rear brake

When you want to brake with the shortest possible braking distance, you start by using the rear brake. Of course, you don't slam it. In fact, you only use the rear brake to start a process of shifting weight from the rear to the front wheel. This will cause the springs to get contracted, which will decrease the chance of a lifting rear wheel, and which will stabilize the bike.

A little bit later the front

By using the rear brake first, there is already more weight on the front wheel when you use the front brake. Because of that, you can squeeze the front brake harder than when you would have started braking with the front brake.

Lay on and squeeze through

But even then, it is not advisable to squeeze the front brake as hard as you can, at least not in the beginning. You should start gently and then squeeze on when the weight has shifted to the front, because the grip of the front wheel will then be at its best.

To imagine what "squeeze on" means, imagine squeezing half a lemon.

Head and Eyes up - Look Ahead!

posted May 14, 2010, 7:40 AM by Tarl Cabot   [ updated Aug 11, 2011, 3:30 PM by Desmond Rodenbour ]

The most important aspect of riding a motorcycle is looking ahead. Being able to look ahead, being able to notice what's important, is a vital element of motorcycle riding.

It would seem that that's something everybody is capable of, but you will notice that there is much to learn about looking ahead. You ride towards where you look, so to learn cornering well, you will have to look far ahead, in the direction of the turn. In traffic, you will have to learn to notice far more than you usually see.

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