How do you not skid on an emergency stop?
Discussion
Failed my test today on skidding on emergency stop. (4 minors too) Absolutely gutted but I can't see how to not skid especially if you are supposed to use the back brake too. I know you are meant to use mainly front but even the practice ones I have done I have tried using front only and the bloody front has locked. Can't seem to get it and I am now really wondering if I will ever pass if I can't figure out how to do these 
Arse
Ace-T
Arse
Ace-T
You need to be more progressive in your application of the brakes. I expect you are ‘grabbing a fist full’ of front brake rather than progressively applying increasing pressure. Like wise, I expect you’re simply stamping on the brake pedal rather than progressively pressing on the pedal. Also, the application of the back brake should be slightly later than that of the front to allow the bike to pitch forwards first. I’m not clever/coordinated enough to actually have a ‘delay’ between the application of the front brake and the application of the rear so I simply make the progressive increase in brake pressure slower on the rear than on the front. Pretty much has the same effect.
This is how you should be doing all your braking with the emergency stop being exactly the same only done a bit quicker and with firmer pressure. I hope that helps.
Best of luck for you next test.
Ride safe and enjoy.
This is how you should be doing all your braking with the emergency stop being exactly the same only done a bit quicker and with firmer pressure. I hope that helps.
Best of luck for you next test.
Ride safe and enjoy.
Make sure you're not pulling the clutch in as you stop - this was a fault of mine when learning and it causes the rear wheel to lock. Apart from that, as the man says, be progressive in your use of the controls. Definitely use both brakes as it makes a big difference to your stopping distance.
Steve.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Thursday 4th October 11:56
Edited by Steve_T on Thursday 4th October 11:57
Don't grab a handful of brake, all the examiner is looking for is the forks compressing to show that you're stopping the bike properly. And only apply the rear brake gently to aid the stopping, no need to jam it on in a panic mode.
Just practice bringing it to a halt in a controlled manner, don't worry about yanking it up short.
Just practice bringing it to a halt in a controlled manner, don't worry about yanking it up short.
And remember they dont have an LTI 2020, so 27/28 looks remarkably like 30..*innocent whistle*
Would entirely agree about the fistful of brake, gently gently catchee monkee stops the bike faster than you might think, gives a lovely dip of the headlight to show the nice examiner you're serious, and a hint of back to keep her steady..
Better luck next time though. What were the minors?
Would entirely agree about the fistful of brake, gently gently catchee monkee stops the bike faster than you might think, gives a lovely dip of the headlight to show the nice examiner you're serious, and a hint of back to keep her steady..
Better luck next time though. What were the minors?
When I did my test my instructor told me to not even think about touching the back brake.
Progressive but firm use of the front brake to bring the bike to a stop, pulling the clutch at the last moment, two life savers, one over each shoulder, indicate left and then paddle to the side of the road (If possible try to get into first).
Progressive but firm use of the front brake to bring the bike to a stop, pulling the clutch at the last moment, two life savers, one over each shoulder, indicate left and then paddle to the side of the road (If possible try to get into first).
When I did my DAS I kept locking up the back on the emergency stop and my instructor said it was because I had been driving cars for so long I was used to just pressing the pedals hard to stop and that it was quite common.
His advice was to but my right foot under the brake pedal for the emergency stop so that it looks like it is in the right place but there is no way of pressing the pedal. The examiner stands in front of you so he can't see properly and you absolutely can't lock up the rear.
Although this sounds a bit of a cheat and potentially dangerous he did emphasise the fact that this was to be used for the test stop only and I should spend as long as possible practicing, practicing and practicing braking properly both before and after my test.
T
His advice was to but my right foot under the brake pedal for the emergency stop so that it looks like it is in the right place but there is no way of pressing the pedal. The examiner stands in front of you so he can't see properly and you absolutely can't lock up the rear.
Although this sounds a bit of a cheat and potentially dangerous he did emphasise the fact that this was to be used for the test stop only and I should spend as long as possible practicing, practicing and practicing braking properly both before and after my test.
T
When i was training, i locked the rear a few times, i was told by my intructor to just put my foot on the pedal to make it look like i was pressing it, but don't apply any pressure - it worked for me.
If it's your own bike, you could bleed a bit of air into the rear brake system, or put WD40 on the REAR disc - it won't lock up then
If it's your own bike, you could bleed a bit of air into the rear brake system, or put WD40 on the REAR disc - it won't lock up then
Edited by JS99 on Thursday 4th October 12:44
As above ... I didn't bother using the rear brake on the emergency stop.
Also ... they usually send you round the block ... have a little practice on your way around!
There is NO way you should be locking the front wheel in the dry ... you are snatching at it to had.
You need to Squeeze not snatch!
Also ... they usually send you round the block ... have a little practice on your way around!
There is NO way you should be locking the front wheel in the dry ... you are snatching at it to had.
You need to Squeeze not snatch!
I failed on this first time too. I think it's 90% the fear that you won't stop it quickly enough + nerves that makes you grab at the brakes. You have quite an allowable distance to stop the bike in (anybody know what it is?) so I'd recommend thinking of it as just stopping slightly quicker than you would normally 
rather than an EMERGENCY stop
rather than an EMERGENCY stop
This may sound silly, but are you wearing cheap boots?
I used to lock the rear all the time because I simply didn't know how much pressure I was applying to the pedal. However, I recently got a decent pair of Sidi's and I've found I can feel the pressure I'm applying a lot better, I guess because the soles are thinner? Result = a lot less lockup's.
Just my 2p's.
I used to lock the rear all the time because I simply didn't know how much pressure I was applying to the pedal. However, I recently got a decent pair of Sidi's and I've found I can feel the pressure I'm applying a lot better, I guess because the soles are thinner? Result = a lot less lockup's.
Just my 2p's.
Dakkon said:
When I did my test my instructor told me to not even think about touching the back brake.
Progressive but firm use of the front brake to bring the bike to a stop, pulling the clutch at the last moment, two life savers, one over each shoulder, indicate left and then paddle to the side of the road (If possible try to get into first).
ditto,be progressive with the front and its amazing how hard/fast you can stopProgressive but firm use of the front brake to bring the bike to a stop, pulling the clutch at the last moment, two life savers, one over each shoulder, indicate left and then paddle to the side of the road (If possible try to get into first).
leave the rear brake alone!
how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Thanks for the advice and sympathy folks, much appreciated. I think I just completely and utterly spannered it by grabbing at the front brake and stamping on the rear. It felt quite spectacular though, the back end felt as if it was trying to overtake the front and the bike felt as if it almost jacknifed, but I got it back under control and stopped straight and just before the examiner. It probably looked like a bit of a wobble and slide to an observer but felt huge to me 
. I understood straight away that I had 
up and swore rather loudly 
. If he was under any impression I was a lady before the test he certainly wasn't after!
Mind you in the feedback he did say that he thought I was going to lose it.
It was a dry road too so I have no excuse other than sheer incompetence Oh well, best get back on the 125 this weekend and start practicing those. :sigh:
... did the U turn perfectly though...
Minors were for steering - 1, balance - 1, use of mirrors - 1, positioning - 1. And I think I know exactly when each of these happened too.
Ace-T
. I understood straight away that I had up and swore rather loudly . If he was under any impression I was a lady before the test he certainly wasn't after! Mind you in the feedback he did say that he thought I was going to lose it.
It was a dry road too so I have no excuse other than sheer incompetence Oh well, best get back on the 125 this weekend and start practicing those. :sigh:... did the U turn perfectly though...
Minors were for steering - 1, balance - 1, use of mirrors - 1, positioning - 1. And I think I know exactly when each of these happened too.
Ace-T
Edited by Ace-T on Thursday 4th October 21:06
y2blade said:
leave the rear brake alone!
how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Exactly, that way you won't skid. My rear brake is crap anyway, it does almost bugger all and barely scrapes through the MOT, although it will lock if stamped but either way does very little to stop the bike, yet I can stop pretty darn quickly with just the front.how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Edited by catso on Thursday 4th October 23:12
catso said:
y2blade said:
leave the rear brake alone!
how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Exactly, that way you won't skid. My rear brake is crap anyway, it does almost bugger all and barely scrapes through the MOT, although it will lock if stamped but either way does very little to stop the bike, yet I can stop pretty darn quickly with just the front.how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Edited by catso on Thursday 4th October 23:12
Biker's Nemesis said:
catso said:
y2blade said:
leave the rear brake alone!
how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Exactly, that way you won't skid. My rear brake is crap anyway, it does almost bugger all and barely scrapes through the MOT, although it will lock if stamped but either way does very little to stop the bike, yet I can stop pretty darn quickly with just the front.how will the instructor know anyway?!?!
Edited by catso on Thursday 4th October 23:12
Incidentally to the OP, I was told on my car test (though it was 1981) that it was perfectly OK to lock the wheels, as long as you detected the situation, got off and back on to maintain the rapid stop. Real-world conditions, that's what you have to do.
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