Hi Fred, sorry to hear about your mishap and good that you are ok - would have been funny to see you running


Sorry to chime in - as an instructor I couldn't resist when I read the "braking" news.

When it comes to emergency braking, as it had in Fred's case, generally the following shall be done:

1. disengage clutch, close throttle
2. only slightly apply rear brake (to reduce the momentum of the spinning wheel and to stabilize the rear end)
3. firmly apply front brake and increase / decrease force; avoid locking up the wheel though
4. shift your weight back in order to avoid your arms to straighten
5. keep viewing towards the obstacle

If you ride a ABS equipped bike, fully apply both brakes.

As soon as you notice that a collision cannot be avoided, disengage both brakes and veer off to the side you think you can pass the obstacle by counter-steering.

Sounds complicated but isn't. After a bit of practice, the above 5 steps will become one. First, practice braking to standstill and when you think you are firm, try the collision avoiding maneuver.


Fred, not that I want be the smart ass , but from your description (the spot you hit that car), I'm pretty sure you could have avoided the collision with a bit of practice of the above.

Generally the front brake is the more effective brake. Different types of bike constructions have different brake efficiency - front / rear, which is approx. as follows.

heavy cruisers and choppers 50 / 50
cruisers 60 / 40
dual sports 70 / 30
sports bikes 80 / 20


Safe