Motorcycle braking properly is one of the most important things that you are going to need to learn when riding your bike. There is more to stopping your motorcycle than just hitting the brakes. You need to learn how motorcycle brakes work both mechanically and in application. Motorcycle braking is different than braking in a vehicle and requires different knowledge than the average vehicle driver has. You need to know that motorcycles have two brakes. There is the front brake which is operated by the right hand and then there is the rear brake that is operated by the right foot. Both pre ride brakes are needed in order for the motorcycle to be able to stop effectively. Following these important guidelines can help you in using your motorcycle brakes effectively.
One of the big things would be to make sure that you use both motorcycle brakes each time you either slow down or come to a stop. This is good practice for you to learn how to use the front brake properly. Its better to know how to use the front brake before you actually need to use it. If you use only the rear brake, you may never learn how to use the front brake properly and that could be a real pain, especially when you need it.
Proper motorcycle braking requires that you squeeze the front brake and press down the rear brake smoothly. Make sure you gradually increase the pressure as needed. Don't jerk the front brakes or hit the rear brakes hard as it can cause the brakes to lock up. This can result in your motorcycle skidding and causing you control problems. That is something that you definitely want to avoid. Make sure that you also apply both brakes at the same time. The sooner that you apply the front brakes of your motorcycle the sooner you are going to slow down.
The best rule of thumb is to complete your braking before you enter a turn whenever it is possible. If this isn't possible and you need to brake as you are turning then you can use the front brake as well as the rear as long as the road isn't too slippery. However, make sure that you apply the brakes gently as you don't have as much traction when the motorcycle is leaning. And you are obviously leaning the bike if you are going around a turn.
Checking your owner's manual for your motorcycle is a good idea because some bikes have combined braking. This is where both the front brake and the rear brake are applied when you use the rear brake pedal. So it is good for you to know how your motorcycle works. Also don't forget that the front brake provides about 3/4ths of the motorcycles stopping power. It's safe for you to use it to stop quickly as long as you are applying it correctly. One other rule of thumb for motorcycle braking is to make sure that you don't jam the front brake hard when you are riding on a slippery surface. This can be very hazardous and cause you to go into a skid. So make sure that you use the brakes cautiously on wet or icy roads and also begin braking sooner than you normally would. Using your motorcycle brakes correctly can go a long way to keeping you and other drivers safe.
