Cold Tires/Quick stopping = trouble

[gr8ride]

Cold tires and quick stop breaking do not mix very well. My stocker dunlops on my ninja 250 were cold this morning during my commute. I saw the light turn yellow and did not have time to throttle it through the light so I had to hit the brakes hard. So I hit the brakes and felt the rear tire go stiff and heard it sliding. It started to go to the left so I squeezed hard on the front brake and balanced with my legs then released the front brake and got back on it so I wouldn't lock it up.

I thought I was definitely going down as soon as my skid went left. I kept on the rear brake as long as I could maintain the skid in a direct line and let off at the end to gain balance. Getting on the front brake even more than I originally did, saved my bacon, it saved my skid and kept me upright.

[cjp91068]

Then you went home and changed your underwear. LOL

I had a close call recently with my front brakes - so I know how scary it can be.

[gr8ride]

The Rear brake skid was scary enough for me, I had to go out and practice my quick stops just to reassure myself.

I could not imagine skidding the front, that would scare the hell out of me.

[soc_monki]

its actually less risky to skid the front than it is to skid the rear. the reason is because the rear tire is about 80% of the stability in the bike. if that tire stops rotating, your stability is gone and the bike wants to fall over! if you skid the front you have a better chance of correcting the mistake as long as the rear tire is still rotating (as long as youre not leaned over...then its low-side time!)

just remember...the front brake is your best chance of stopping. in an emergency squeeze both levers (clutch/brake) and add in rear a little at a time. dont aggressively use the rear brake! with all that weight transferred to the front youll just lock it up that much easier. use sparingly and it can really help though.

and always use the rear brake in low speed manuvers...i barely touch the front if im under 10-15 MPH...engine braking does most of the work then anyways. if youre turning at low speed and have to hit the brakes use the rear...the front will just low-side you.

i have a link to a bunch of motorcycling articles that discuss this and other motorcycle related riding tips and "how bikes work" stuff. but im at my girls house and i dont have the link here. ill post it later its good reading!

[gr8ride]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Most of the time riders just have to "figure it out" without help.

[soc_monki]

no problem man we should never learn alone...ive been reading as much as i can and learning as much as possible before i ride! you can never learn too much.

just be careful with the back brake...it can help a lot of times, but in times where you need to stop fast it can really mess you up if youre not careful!

one more tip...when on gravel or any type of loose surface use the back brake! with the reduced traction you could easily lock up the front and put the bike down. just go slow and use your feet as outriggers if need be...bikes and loose surfaces dont go well together. unless youre on a dirt bike...but thats a WHOLE 'nother ballgame!