GOT FIVE MINUTES? TAKE A BRAKE!

By Keep Britain Biking • 6th February 2012 • 51 views

Check out KBB’s top tips on the basics of bringing your bike to a smooth standstill

Like any other skill, braking well takes practice and experience. With that in mind, Keep Britain Biking has compiled some basics tips that newbie bikers should bear in mind when testing out their bike’s braking system.

Whilst all motorcycles have front and rear brakes, experts agree that around 70% of brake power should be exerted on the front brakes, with the remaining 30% distributed to the back. This works with the natural shift in weight necessary to bring the bike to a stop.
By exerting a staggered, controlled force on the front brake, combined with a steady and careful application of the rear, the weight will shift from the back of the bike to the front in a smooth motion.
Care should be taken not to immediately apply the maximum level of force on the front brake, as the natural ‘dive’ which occurs in suspension during the braking process causes the spring to fully flatten, and your connection to the road, normally controlled by suspension, to disappear on uneven surfaces.
Hitting the front brake too hard and too fast can cause the wheel to lock and lose its grip on the road. With that in mind, make sure you check out the surface of the road you’re riding on before you slam on the brakes – remember, your suspension is working in tandem with the friction and resistance your grip on the road creates to bring you to a safe stop.
Remember, if you’re carrying more luggage, a pillion, or your bike is heavier at the back than it is at the front, then it may take a fair bit more power to bring you to a halt!

Whether you’re starting out or just breaking in a new bike, having a practice in controlled conditions is the best way to get a feel for your brakes. We’re sure our lifelong bikers have some great insider tips to keep our beginners out of harm’s way, so let us know! What are your top tips?