Total Motorcycle Community Forums

My ride today was pretty good, but in critiqueing it there were some things that I see need work on and I could use some suggestions.

The 1st and most important thing I need some help with is braking technique. I am coming back from the old days when I didn't even have a front brake. So I find myself covering and using the rear brake a lot even though I know the front is the good brake. It's like an old body memory and I have to consiously catch myself doing it and correct it. I'm not talking about when I'm stopping... then I'm pretty good about using both brakes. I mean when I'm at a potential threat area I realize I've covered or even dragged the rear a little. This doesn't happen until I'm on the street and focused on the ride. If I focus on braking I do fine, but when I'm in street mode (watching speed, shifting, watching driveways and cross streets, etc...) I catch myself doing this.

My 2nd problem is in covering the front brake. This one gives me the puckers sometimes. When I make that consious effort to make sure that I'm covering the front, somehow when I reach up for the handle I roll on the throttle a little. Not a lot, just enough to make the bike jump a tad. I've also noticed that I cover the brake and clutch in sequence rather than both at the same time. I reach for the brake, then the clutch. I have done some still practice where I'm not rolling, but have the motor running and practice covering the brake and clutch, and I don't roll the throttle at these times, only when I'm riding. My guess is that I'm holding on too tight, and the throttle seems really touchy.

I also caught myself in a really stupid mistake today. I was coming to the end of the block and needed to make a right turn. I checked the mirrors and it was clear. I used motor braking to slow and just before I started the turn I glanced at the mirror and there was a car on my butt. I really feel stupid on this one. I know I should have hit the brakes to show I was slowing, I just didn't. So take away a brownie point from me on this one.

Can you guys give me any pointers on how to break these bad habits (besides just saying practice...)?

Thanks

Mike

I can offer a suggestion for the front brake/throttle thing. You aren't holding the throttle correctly anymore. It might have worked back when you didn't have a front brake, but now you need to set it up so that you can just straighten out your fingers and pull them in. You shouldn't be rolling your wrist or hand at all.

You might also consider trying to not use the rear brake at all in the parking lot. Just do a handful of drills where you only use the front brake. It makes a pretty big difference actually.

Thanks Sev...

I had someone else on another board mention that I prolly have my wrist too high. He suggested that I lower my wrist which forces me to roll off the throttle when reaching for the brake... Make sense?


Thanks!

Mike

..great riding weather around these parst today...but darn it I experienced the same issue as Mikeydude with rolling on the throttle when reaching for the front brake..so going to try the solution offered.

Also, I think I am white knuckling the grips on occasions..so I tried to consciously ease off ..on one occasion doing so just as I hit a bump in the road @25mph..bike jiggled a tad (seemed to anyway)...now that caused me to pucker up and grip even tighter...so much yet to learn...