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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 0:03:04 GMT -5
this thread is about braking techniques and 2 wheel safety in general.
when i got my first moped (50cc) i have never ridden a motorized 2 wheeler before.
the speed was slow, and it had both brakes on the handlebars.
i naturally braked my moped much like i did my 10 speed bicycle, grabbed both levers and squeezed.
then i got the itch for something bigger and faster.
enter my 250.
the brake setup was essentially the same as my 50, both on the handlebars.
my braking technique i developed had carried over to my 250.
i now know that this technique is wrong, and i'm thankful i found it out before it was too late.
front wheel lockups on a 2 wheeler can be disastrous, maybe even fatal.
my advice to new riders.
practice your skills on loose grit, sand, or leaves, or gravel. (at slow speeds and wear your gear, you'll need it)
yes you are going to experience a few spills, but it will definitely teach you a few things about your brakes and how to use them properly.
a friend of mine had his leg almost chewed off because of improper technique on mud.
if only he had stayed out of that front brake he would have been okay.
on other matters:
ride within your ability.
if you are in a group of riders, ride with what you are comfortable with.
IOW, don't try to be "the best" in the group, ride within your comfort zone.
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Post by ricardoguitars on Jan 25, 2017 7:12:17 GMT -5
Proper braking technic on tarmac, 70% front brake, 30% rear brake; on dirt road it is completely different, most braking is done with the rear brake; you can use the rear brake to keep control at low speed.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 11:36:56 GMT -5
Proper braking technic on tarmac, 70% front brake, 30% rear brake; on dirt road it is completely different, most braking is done with the rear brake; you can use the rear brake to keep control at low speed. yes, that is the general idea. but in my case i never really appreciated how important it was, simply because i always rode on asphalt. i avoided "loose stuff" like the plague. i hardly ever rode in the rain, and never when it was icy out. i simply avoided the "dangerous" stuff. plus, i had an "anti lock" device on my front brake. all of this added up to a potentially deadly situation. only after my friend had his accident did i realize what caused it, he locked up his front brake because he was used to squeezing them both equally. if he was on asphalt he would have been ok, but he was on mud and down he went. the above is proof that you don't need to be going fast to have a serious 1 vehicle accident, even on a 50cc. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 25, 2017 12:32:06 GMT -5
Important too is realizing whats going to happen when you release a locked up brake.
A locked rear wheel when you release it is going to try to align with your direction of travel potentially throwing you from the bike while the locked up front wheel will shoot off in the direction that you have it pointed when you release the brake again potentially throwing you.
Bottom line is you need to be aware of the road conditions and ride accordingly.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 13:44:32 GMT -5
Important too is realizing whats going to happen when you release a locked up brake. A locked rear wheel when you release it is going to try to align with your direction of travel potentially throwing you from the bike while the locked up front wheel will shoot off in the direction that you have it pointed when you release the brake again potentially throwing you. good points this is also true, but sometimes road conditions can surprise you. topping the next crest can reveal road conditions that you didn't think of. road construction on county roads is notorious for this kind of thing. the main point i want to make about brakes for new riders is that motorcycles aren't 10 speeds safety on motorcycles, especially with the larger displacement scoots, cannot be over stressed. another thing, alcohol and 2 wheels do not mix, even 1 beer. i guess we have all heard that 1 beer can affect you, but we all have drank that 1 beer, hopped in our car and drove home with no problems at all. you probably wouldn't even blow positive on a breathalyzer. but surprise, surprise, surprise, that 1 beer on 2 wheels and you'll be wobbling down the road at 30MPH. i know that to be a fact, cause i've been there. don't drink and ride, not even 1 beer. |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 26, 2017 4:52:10 GMT -5
I know about surprises which brings out the supreme importance of wearing safety gear.
A sudden gust of wind took me down at about 40/45 mph a year and a half ago during a lane change when sugar sand was blown across the road from some construction taking place. It was like suddenly riding on black ice along with some ball bearings and I went down in a fraction of a second with no brakes being applied. The gear that I was wearing is the only reason I walked away and am not going through the final stages of facial reconstruction right now. The chin bar and temples of the helmet tell quite a story. The marks on the knuckles on the gloves and elbows and shoulders of the jacket, boot and my jeans fill in the rest of the blanks.
I would have been 100% unscathed if I was wearing riding pants instead of regular jeans. Despite what the nay-sayers tell you, and be mindful that I used to be one of them, gear saves life and limb plus the right gear makes the ride much more comfortable.
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