Emergency braking is a maneuver that sooner or later we will happen to do. A car that decided at the last moment to turn left, or a pedestrian who decided to cross without looking: these are situations that every motorcyclist has experienced.
Here are some tips on what to do and what not to do when attaching to the brakes.
Decisive but progressive
Even if panic leads to very decisive actions, when acting on the brakes you must try to progressively press the front brake lever to reach maximum pressure: the weight will transfer to the front, compressing the suspension and tire which will expand its contact surface with the asphalt, acquiring greater grip.
However, if you brake suddenly (the so-called panic stop), the risk is not to fully exploit the grip of the front tire and not to allow the suspensions to work properly.
You brake front and rear
You need to use both brakes, braking with the rear as well will help the rear tire maintain contact with the road and offer a little more traction, which will help you slow down. However, it is forbidden to rely only on the rear brake, when slowing down the weight is naturally transferred to the front, making the action of the rear brake less effective (although still important) and blocking easier (if there is no ABS ) which makes the braking maneuver ineffective.
We need to know who is close to us
It is important to be aware of the traffic around us: it is useless to brake perfectly and to the maximum, if the SUV following will then pass over you; it is essential to adopt defensive driving by always creating a sort of “bubble” of space around you at all times (the so-called safety distance). This will allow you to have room for emergency braking.
Don't let others dictate the conditions of our safety: for example, never be attached to a van that blocks your view.
Eyes open
When you're driving you need to look as far ahead as possible: the goal is to identify potential risks before they threaten you, and then avoid them before they become a problem.
Practicing is better
Practicing in a hazard-free location, such as an empty parking lot, is very helpful. On dry asphalt, get comfortable with your bike by braking harder and harder until you reach the limit. Knowing your vehicle is equally important: you need to know how to answer questions like “How fast can my motorbike brake?”, “What happens when the rear wheel starts to lift off the ground?”, “How much rear brake can I use before it blocks ?”.
Another aspect: don't be afraid to brake. The rear may move, but it is essential to reduce the speed of impact. What could cause serious damage at 90 km/h could end much better at 50 km/h.