Originally Posted by motorlessons

Zion is 100% spot on.

Now that you've filled in the details, I'm fairly certain you are getting into ABS on the front, then backing out of your brake application, likely because you "feel something wrong". You're ending up with pretty decent braking, but you're practicing a bad habit; so lets try to get you on a better path.

As Zion pointed out, the key to properly applying the front brake is to slow it down enough to allow the motor's weight to transfer. If you grab the front brake, the stopping force to the front wheel is applied when roughly half the machine's weight is on the front tire. It's very easy for the brakes - especially the Brembo brakes, which are extremely powerful - to transmit more stopping force that the friction between the tire and road can use. If you don't have ABS, this results in a locked-wheel skid. If you do have ABS, it activates.

So, the answer is to slow down the application ever so slightly. This is done with the "squeeze and progress" technique. Initially squeeze the lever. There is no "magic amount", which is why you have to practice. This initial "squeeze" causes the motorcycle's weight to transfer forward. With very little practice you will feel this occur. Then you "progress" your squeeze, increasing the brake's transmission of stopping force. This is the most efficient way to get the motorcycle stopped. It's also the correct technique whether your machine has ABS or not. On the newer Harleys, with the Brembo brakes, you will really know when you're braking well, because you will feel your own weight transfer forward. Braked properly the newer Touring models will stop far better than most riders would believe.

Mind you, the "squeeze and progress" is still a rapid application of the brakes. It's just that you consciously take steps to make the machine do what you want. This is why it's "threshold" braking, not "panic" braking. You practice, and then use your skills to take the stopping force to the threshold of friction available on whatever your road surface is.

It is tempting - on a motor equipped with ABS - to forgo proper braking, and just let the ABS do the work. However, that will not get you stopped nearly as quickly as proper braking. Considering the whole point of this type of braking is to avoid colliding with a suddenly present obstacle (I'm looking at you soccer mom making a left turn in front of a motorcycle) it only stands to reason you want to do all you can to stop in the absolute shortest possible distance.

I've posted this video before, but it really fits in with this exact topic. The motor nearer the camera is stopped using the "squeeze and progress" method, and ABS does not activate. The far motor's rider makes no attempt to brake correctly, and instead simply "grabs a handful of brake". By snapping on the brakes that way, he doesn't allow any weight transfer to take place. Therefore ABS activates immediately. You can see how much that increases the stopping distance (it helps to watch the video in full screen):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5wqq...k7YPjryWXNeRmQ

What it sounds like you're doing is snapping the front on, and consequently getting ABS, then backing out, but not all the way, thus getting into better braking. There are two problems with that. One is - as we've discussed - it's not very efficient. Two is that you're training yourself to back off if you activate ABS. If ABS does activate, the rider's best course at that point is to keep pulling on the lever, and let the ABS handle the stop.

In training we teach operators to handle front ABS activation like a locked-wheel skid on a non-ABS motor; that is to "release immediately and properly re-apply". However, that is strictly because we're working to build proper skills. On the street, if ABS engages, let it do it's thing. Now as I often say (and sometimes upset people by saying) if a rider activates ABS he has made a braking error. If ABS activates, you would have locked a wheel without ABS. A locked wheel is a braking error. ABS just makes it so you can think about how you could improve your braking at leisure, and without the expensive or painful outcome that a skid often results in.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

Originally Posted by motorlessons

If anyone wants and does not have it, you can get my (free of course) booklet Motor Lessons. I added a chapter on ABS brakes last summer.

Just email me at:

motorlessons@hotmail.com

and I'll send you the PDF.

Harris
Denver, CO

www.youtube.com/conedown

Originally Posted by springer 03

At the end of September I grabbed a fistful of front brake. The bike went down immediately. I broke a knee and tore an ACL. My wife has a broken ankle. We both had serious road rash and my bike is messed up. I appreciate the lesson on using the brakes but in real life panic situations I really wonder if a person has time to react properly. I know I didn't and I've been riding for 40+ years. I've been shopping ABS bikes of which I suddenly am a firm believer.

Originally Posted by stupid_rope

Abs.






ohhhh....**** you meant antilock brakes. my bad

Originally Posted by osudvm

Yes, after I posted I realized what the letters would look like. One thing I can say about your post, if I has those Abs in the house I wouldn't have to worry about the ABS on the bike since I would be inside all the time. Although I would not be putting the brakes on.

Originally Posted by springer 03

At the end of September I grabbed a fistful of front brake. The bike went down immediately. I broke a knee and tore an ACL. My wife has a broken ankle. We both had serious road rash and my bike is messed up. I appreciate the lesson on using the brakes but in real life panic situations I really wonder if a person has time to react properly. I know I didn't and I've been riding for 40+ years. I've been shopping ABS bikes of which I suddenly am a firm believer.