P a g e 1 | 8
1
1. Braking Systems While most motorcycles have a front brake lever to apply
the front brake and a rear brake pedal to apply the rear
brake, braking systems can differ between models. Check
your owner's manual for variations, which may be one of
the common setups shown here.
With Combined or Linked brakes, braking force is applied
to both wheels when either control is used. The degree of
braking force provided by each brake varies by design.
With Integrated brakes, pressing the rear brake pedal also
applies some braking force to the front brake.
Anti-lock brakes, also called ABS, keep the wheels from
locking or skidding when too much brake pressure is ap-
plied for surface conditions.
2. Emergency Stop
in a Straight Line Making an emergency stop is an important skill. Practice
often in a safe area. Use lower speeds and less than
maximum brake pressure when developing your skill. Start
your practice with straight-line stops.
The best way to achieve the shortest braking distance is
to apply maximum brake pressure to front and rear brakes
simultaneously without skidding either wheel. Squeeze
the clutch lever and use the brake controls at the same
time. Keep your body centered and look ahead. Squeeze
your legs against the gas tank to help keep from sliding
forward. Adjust your braking pressure as the weight of the
motorcycle transfers forward by using less pressure on the
rear brake pedal and more pressure on the front brake
lever.
The ability to use the brakes fully without producing a skid
is called threshold braking. This kind of braking takes a
special feel for the controls. It is important to squeeze,
not grab, the front brake lever and press, not jab, the rear
brake pedal. Practice often in a safe area. Remember that
surface conditions may affect how much pressure you can
