Stopping from 140mph

[R1oldguy]

I am in the middle of reading some more books on technique and one of the authors brings up a good point.

How many of us actually "practice" stopping our bikes from the speeds that we occasionally hit?
If we are out on some secluded roads and really wringing it out, at say 100 mph, do we really know how long it would take us to stop?

I have practiced "regular" speed stops many times. I feel fairly certain at what point my front or rear tire is going to lock up when I am traveling at regular speeds. I kind of know what kind of limit I have when trail braking. I practice these things frequently.

But I really don't have a clue about panic stopping from 140mph.
(I know, a track day will help)

Gone are the days when the lever was pinned to the grip and that's as good as the front brake is.

I am just posing this question in New Riders and if you Mods want to move it, feel free

[robert_s_hunter]

I'd say that by the time you recognize a threat and react to it, at 140mph on a public road, your a$$ is already done for.....

Having a drag chute probably wouldn't save you!

[Guitar Man]

It is really good practice to see what your bike will do on a back road. I have read a book or two on the subject myself.

It is easy to twist that throttle but you have to know how to work the brakes too.

[R1oldguy]

Originally Posted by Guitar Man

It is really good practice to see what your bike will do on a back road. I have read a book or two on the subject myself.

It is easy to twist that throttle but you have to know how to work the brakes too.

That was kind of my point to this whole thread. I'm not sure how many new riders even know how their bikes will stop at 55mph.

Everyone wants to see how fast the new bike will go, but how fast will it stop?

[Guitar Man]

As a matter of fact I had to do a high speed slow down on the freeway yesterday when everyone saw a cop and freaked. It was no big deal really because I knew what the bike could do and I was comfortable with it. I always wonder what it could of been like had I not known what the bike could do.

[Fargin_Bastige]

NEVER do this on backroads EVER. Backroads are where the majority of single vehicle fatalities happen. The VAST majority.

Take this to the track and be safe about it.

[R1oldguy]

Originally Posted by Fargin_Bastige

NEVER do this on backroads EVER. Backroads are where the majority of single vehicle fatalities happen. The VAST majority.

Take this to the track and be safe about it.

I'm certainly not advocating going 100+ on any roads.
But, people do it. Maybe we should delete this thread and start over.
My point was just to point out that a lot of riders don't know the braking threshold of their modern sport bikes.

Like I stated, the brake lever to the grip days are long gone.

[RayOSV]

I've long advocated that new riders should practice (and master) panic stops from whatever speed they intend to reach. Finding a safe place to do this is another matter.

[fishnride]

No one should ever panic stop.

Panic insinuates that the stop is not controlled, and is done out of a sudden fear. Applied in panic, the front brakes are very likely to lock the wheel because the rider has not given the chassis and suspension time to load the front tire and thus increase the tire's contact patch on the road. Once the tire's contact patch has increased and is established, then the rider can apply progressively more braking power as required.

To your point, everyone should practice quick reaction braking as well as learn how to stop from speeds most commonly ridden

[dbailey111505]

You're going 140 mph on a public road..................it was nice knowin' ya'

[TejasRider]

Seems to me that if you're practicing this kind of braking, it's likely just as valuable to practice sudden power reduction and course correction. My experience has been that usually about a 50% power reduction is all I really need in most cases.

[Otown929]

I think most newbies underestimate the actual braking ability of their bikes, they feel that they will do an endo if they brake too hard. I remember the first time I locked up the front wheel, I was going about 25 and scared the shit outta myself.....Ha Ha Ha...that was 20 years ago.

[Guitar Man]

Originally Posted by Fargin_Bastige

NEVER do this on backroads EVER. Backroads are where the majority of single vehicle fatalities happen. The VAST majority.

Take this to the track and be safe about it.

Your right, and not all of us can do track days. I would like to though.

[Freshgrease]

Whats the point in braking, you are better off swerving at those speeds. I'd leave the high speed death chase at the track and stay at below 80 speeds.

[Fargin_Bastige]

Originally Posted by Guitar Man

Your right, and not all of us can do track days. I would like to though.

So, what you are saying is that you can't afford a track day, so you'll risk your life on public roads? Sorry, a track day is a load cheaper than dying.