How do you stop a motorcycle?

Question

Do you have to down shift and then stop? Or do you just brake then go to gear one? Because what do I have to do to stop fast for a yellow light when I'm not in the intersection yet?

Answer 1

Clutch in and then front brake only.

Answer 2

pending on who you talk to some would say downshift is fine other say its horrible for tranny. to stop, when coming up on a light shift bike to neutral coast to light, once stopped re-engage to 1st gear. for sudden stops remember front brakes approx 70% of stopping power rear 30%, i hardley ever use my rear brake (2002 R6). dont worry about flipping over forward, its harder than one would think to do that. before the flip happens,most of the time, the front tire washes out one way or the other.

Answer 3

In motorcycle safety training school I was taught to pull in the clutch and apply strong pressure to the front brakes while moderate pressure to the backs.

I suggest you go to a school on Sunday and practice stopping at a point maybe 50 yards ahead at different speeds from the same starting point to get a good feel for your particular combined weight and operation of your bikes brakes. The majority of stopping power is in the front..apply enough pressure to stop quickly without causing the front wheel to lock up.

Wally...38 years of riding.

Answer 4

I'd use the brakes in that case, heavy on the front and lighter on the back, maximal braking with the rear brake or braking and down shifting is dangerous (It can lock up the rear tire, get you sideways, and THEN hook up and dump you (High Side!) as opposed to trying to make a turn and not having enough traction (Low Side). You want to use the rear brakes, because the rear brake encouarges weight transfer from the rear wheels to the front.

And all that weight makes the front brake more effective, just don't stay on the rear too long.  Feather the rear brake, you may hear it start to screech, but by then it's proably too late, so if you've been using the front, take a trip to the nearest unobserved parkling lot and try out a bit of emergency braking, concentrating on finding the rear limits. (ABS are the real answer to the rear braking dilemma).

If you have time to think, then you can down shift, a couple of gears, but not more. Emergency braking should be an automatic act, needing no thought at all, if by braking, you make time to think, then you can switch your brain back on line.

Some bikes now have a 'slipper clutch' to minimize the chance of lock ups when you down shift, don't know how well they work.

Answer 5

use your brakes, that is what they are designed for.

Answer 6

If you have the yellow you should be using the throttle, not the brake.

The guy behind you is planning on running the light.

Shifting to 1st  can break the rear tire loose, just like locking the rear brake.

Answer 7

Just drive a truck in front of it.

Answer 8

Stopping for the yellow at the edge of the intersection is certainly one of life's most recurring existential dilemmas. Should you  firmly apply both brakes and fast stop or sail on through? It depends on the proximity of the cement truck, tandem sand and gravel truck, bus of unbelted children or Granny's Buick to your rear fender. Stop and be a grease spot or sail on through and be an irresponsible cycle fiend bent on destruction of the social order. Darn, where are Sartre, Camus and Brecht when you need them?

If you have to jamb on brakes to stop, look in that mirror first. Probably best to sail through. If you are actually 200 feet from the light and see the yellow and are just kidding about the need for a skilled fast stop then apply brakes firmly in a 60% front wheel effort and 40 % rear wheel effort and come up with one foot down swaddled with cool and finesses.

This is a common scenario and any rider should have a comfort zone before the light, edge of intersection and prevailing traffic all ready thought out. Peace.

Intersections are a great place to be wearing a helmet.

Answer 9

I use both the tranny AND the brakes. Like most here, if you have time to think about it you can make a decision. I have made many panic stops where JUST the brakes weren't going to be enough. The compression helps on the rear tire to keep from locking it up. Kick down 1 gear at the time and TRY to not over rev the engine! Over time you develop a feel and ear for the bike and it starts to feel like a part of your body. If you can walk without thinking about which foot to put down next, you can ride and address any situation on the bike comfortably and without having to do much thought on how to handle it. Most of the confusion is because you haven't been there yet. When you have a "moment" and walk away from it, you know you did it right.

Answer 10

If you need to ask that question you need a motorcycle training course. Available at A.A.A. and other places. I'm not trying to insult you at all, I just don't want you to be injured, even If I don't know you.Please find a training course, It may save your life.

Answer 11

if u need to stop fast grab the clutch and when u stop just shift to first gear

for slow stops just gram the clutch and coast shift down if needed.

for turns shirt down and just go around the turn