Practicing in a parking lot is a great idea as far as practicing locking the rear I would never do, its a good way to wreck yourself. Ive been racing motocross for years andalwayspull the front brake much harderthan i push on the brake pedal, Id like to say about 70-80% of your stopping power comes from the front....you can pull that front brake as hard as you want and will never lock up (on nice pavement) and still be in control....once you lock that rear tire up you need to worry about steering to compensate for the rear end slide....just my 2 cents...

 

Hello same thing happened to me twice.But i locked the front wheel first time i did a big stoppie and a hand stand on the bars don't no how i kept on the bike. Just lucky.Second time i came off on the motorway (freeway) doing about 70. Got away with just a few scrapes and all the skin off the top of my foot.Only had jeans and trainers on.The bike i was on was a Suzuki VX800.

 

glad everything turned out ok bro

 

I have to agree with the stalled engine while the bike was in gear theory. That kept the back wheel locked. The skid stopped the moment the engine started. I see my mistake. Next time less back brake, and pull in the clutch during a panic stop. I have practiced skiding and panic stops to test the limits of stopping power of course is pulled in the clutch during my tests. I learned a valuable lesson, thank God I didn't learn it the hard way. Thanks guys

PS I went back today to look at the skid it's a good 30 foot long.

 

I take the MSF experienced rider course every couple of years. They do have you practice locking up the rear brake, so you can experience this in a controled enviroment. I've been street riding for 28 years and I have caught myself at least partially locking the rear in a panic situation (morethan once).You need to learn how to react to that. Ideally you would'nt lock it up, but it doesn't always work out that way. It was different on my sportbikes that could do 2 finger stoppies, and the rear brake was so weak it was practically useless.Its good to talk about this stuff. It might keep people from starting another "I had to lay er down today (panicked and locked up the rear brake)" thread. Ride Safe.
Tim

 

I took a picture of my skid mark. My estimate of 30 feel ong was off it's closer to 75 feet.
Look about4 feet to the left of the white line starting at the shadow of the first tree and ending just short of the second tree.


Where can a guy sign up for an advanced rider training course ?

 

http://www.msf-usa.org/

i love practicing stopping, stoppin fast is just as fun as goin fast!

 

Or you could spend a week on the freeways in Los Angeles during rush hour.
It's a continuous practice session on panic stopping and low speed manuevering

 

Yeah, def. sounds like you just killed the motor and were draggin the rear tire.

I would certainly practice panic stops. Downshifting and using the engine braking helps a lot!

 

Your guardian angel kept that back tire locked for you. If it had released, you might have been launched with the bike following right behind you. There is a book called Proficient Motorcycling. It is filled with good stuff. One of the things I remember is "if in doubt, squeeze both front levers". Good luck.