Proper Braking Technique - Ducati.ms

Bill A · Jan 11th, 2012, 9:21 am

A search on the topic led me to the conclusion that opinions about proper braking technique are widely varied on this site. Most of the discussions i have read on the topic have ended in a "do what works for you" type of agreement to disagree. And, frankly, i think some of the advice i have seen very confident members give to admittedly newer riders who are asking for braking technique tips has been wrong, dangerous, and irresponsible.

Here's an excerpt (14 minutes) of a riding seminar given by Nick Ienatch, Ken Hill, and Scott Russell.
(Guys who have proven records of knowing how to apply brakes).
They do NOT say "do what works for you!"

The take-aways regarding braking are:
- Load the tire before you use it
- No "stab and grab" braking
- Load the tire progressively
- Add pressure slowly
- practice, practice, practice (The rider is the most important variable)

Look at the difference in traction Nick demonstrates by the way he adds pressure (slowly vs abruptly) to the tire.

Please take a few minutes to watch this.
Practicing these techniques will probably save you a few hundred bucks, maybe even a few thousand...and could even save your life.

Better yet, go to the school and practice the techniques in the presence of qualified coaches!

Let's be careful out there!!

Tour of Duty: Yamaha Riding School Hits The Road
Tuesday, January 03, 2012

DuckMan · Jan 13th, 2012, 1:54 pm

I would add that to most people "add pressure slowly" is not the same as it is to the guys you mention. What these guy call slow we (mere mortals) might think is stabbing, but it's not. It's hard to understand the difference and even harder to explain it.

Bill A · Jan 13th, 2012, 5:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckMan

I would add that to most people "add pressure slowly" is not the same as it is to the guys you mention. What these guy call slow we (mere mortals) might think is stabbing, but it's not. It's hard to understand the difference and even harder to explain it.

I agree.
I think "slow" is a poor word choice. May they should say "add pressure progressively" or "gradually".

It happens really quickly, in stages...very short stages.

Capotourer · Jan 15th, 2012, 7:05 am

"the tire will flatten out and give you more grip as you apply pressure progressively" sounds like good advice to me...

damion · Feb 24th, 2012, 12:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill A

I agree.
I think "slow" is a poor word choice. May they should say "add pressure progressively" or "gradually".

It happens really quickly, in stages...very short stages.

I'm a little late to this conversation, but as a motorcycle safety instructor with Team Oregon, I thought I'd throw in my $0.02 worth.

When teaching students to use the brakes effectively, we focus on the words "smooth" and "progressive". We teach them that, as they apply the brakes, they get more traction on the front wheel, which allows them to apply more brake, which provides more traction, which allows more brake, and so on.

So smooth, progressive application of the front is the key to a quick, effective, and safe stop.

JDP · Feb 24th, 2012, 3:18 pm

I use the gears to slow me down and then both brakes equally when braking in non emergency situation. I understand that 75/90% of braking is ur front brake. But that's the way I do it. Downshift into proper gear and use brakes if necessary before going into a turn. When it's wet I use brakes accordingly. In a emergency there's so many variables. My 2 cents.

DuckMan · Feb 24th, 2012, 4:55 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by damion

I'm a little late to this conversation, but as a motorcycle safety instructor with Team Oregon, I thought I'd throw in my $0.02 worth.

When teaching students to use the brakes effectively, we focus on the words "smooth" and "progressive". We teach them that, as they apply the brakes, they get more traction on the front wheel, which allows them to apply more brake, which provides more traction, which allows more brake, and so on.

So smooth, progressive application of the front is the key to a quick, effective, and safe stop.

You sound like a good teacher. If you're teaching them to focus on the front brake you're doing a good job. If you're teaching them to think about what they are doing rather than absolutes you're doing an even better job.

damion · Feb 24th, 2012, 5:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckMan

You sound like a good teacher. If you're teaching them to focus on the front brake you're doing a good job. If you're teaching them to think about what they are doing rather than absolutes you're doing an even better job.

Thanks! We teach them to always use both brakes, with smooth, increasing pressure on the front, and light, decreasing pressure on the rear. Then, we make them do it. Many, many times, over and over and over, until (hopefully) they understand how to (and what it feels like to) use the front brake effectively in an emergency.

Bill A · Feb 25th, 2012, 11:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by damion

...always use both brakes, with smooth, increasing pressure on the front, and light, decreasing pressure on the rear. Then, we make them do it. Many, many times, over and over and over, until (hopefully) they understand how to (and what it feels like to) use the front brake effectively in an emergency.

this

Gadgetech · Mar 5th, 2012, 9:12 pm

Great advice here as I've been wondering the best way to use the brakes on the Duc. My HD is much different at 2x the weight in terms of required breaking pressure and it's easier to be much smoother on that bike. The Duc requires deliberate actions with the throttle and brakes for smooth operation. Someone suggested the count to 5 method. 1 being grabbing the brake lever and 5 being the amount of required pressure to stop in time. So I would count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 as I'm braking and the quicker you need to stop, the quicker you count...is that a good starting point or no?