Emergency braking is the most crucial safety skill you can
learn, and one you’ll have to use a lot in Lagos state. If you suddenly find a
car turning in front of you, it’s often your only way out. Here’s some easy
do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when it comes to emergency braking on a
motorcycle.
Do: Progressively Squeeze The Lever
Starting gently and working up to max pressure will transfer
the motorcycle’s weight to the front wheel and compresses the tire, expanding
its contact patch and increasing its grip.
Don’t: Just Grab A Handful
Even with ABS, simply going straight to max brake pressure
will overwhelm the front tire’s grip and cause it to skid. If you don’t have
ABS, that will likely lead to a wipe out. If you do, you just won’t be
achieving an optimal rate of deceleration.
Do: Use Both Brakes
Even on bikes that don’t come with handlebar tassels, where
the weight bias is dramatically forward under braking, the rear tire may retain
contact with the road and even have a little traction, so using both brakes
will help slow you down.
Don’t: Rely On The Back Brake Only
Not only is the back brake less powerful than the front
brake, weight is also transferred off the rear brake under deceleration which
reduces the rear tire’s traction.
Do: Be Aware Of Traffic Around You
It’s no good going to maximum braking power only to be
swatted by the texting SUV driver tailgating you. Ride defensively at all times
and try to create a “bubble” of space around you at all times. This will give
you room to take evasive maneuvers like emergency braking should you need it.
Don’t: Let Other Vehicles Dictate Your Safety
Ride in such a manner that you control your relationship
with other traffic. Don’t find yourself in a situation where another motorist
is able to tailgate you or restrict your vision. Move through traffic with
authority and confidence.
Do: Plan Ahead
As you’re riding, you need to be constantly scanning your
entire area — above and below and to the side and behind you — but pay
particular attention to where you’re going and look as far ahead as possible.
As cars pull up to intersections or other traffic movements occur, plan how
you’ll deal with each one, then put that plan into action.
Don’t: Get Taken By Surprise
Surprise creates panic, panic creates accidents. Use your
superior vision — move around in your lane and alter your distance from other
vehicles in order to maximize it — and develop a sixth sense capable of
predicting what other people are about to do. Identify potential risks before
they threaten you, then avoid them before they become a problem.
Do: Practice
Motorcycles have exceptional braking abilities, but
conversely, their brakes are exceptionally difficult to master. Go find a big,
empty parking lot and spend half a day familiarizing yourself with your
motorcycle’s abilities and working up from a walking pace until you’re able to
confidently bring your bike to a commanding halt from normal road speeds.
Don’t: Rely On Something You Don’t Know How To Use
How fast can your motorcycle stop? What happens when the
rear wheel starts to lift off the ground? How much back brake can you use
before that wheel locks? What does it feel like to lock the front wheel? You
should know the answers to all these questions by heart.
Do: Brake Hard!
You rear wheel might lift up, the ABS might kick in, you
might pee your pants a little bit, but every MPH that you can lose before
hitting something will incrementally reduce impact forces, thereby reducing
your chances of injury or death. What might kill you at 40 mph may only send
you home with bruises at 30. And that’s a mere fraction of a second of max
braking apart.
Don’t: Let Go
Trust your bike and your abilities. Your best bet to avoid
the accident or reduce its severity lies in braking, not in bailing.
What is your best advice for fellow writers when it comes to
emergency braking?
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