Braking tips for motorcyclists
Learn safe motorcycle braking techniques and stopping distances. Understand reaction time and why maintaining space can prevent crashes.
Braking distances
Motorcycles can take longer to stop than other vehicles. Riders need to be aware of safe braking distances in different conditions.
You may be good at braking, but you need to take reaction time into account.
It takes three quarters of a second to make a decision to act once you see a hazard, and the same time again for the action to be effective. This means a second and a half before you even start braking. At 60km/h, you will travel 25 metres in that time. On a wet road, this distance could be even longer.
It is also worth remembering that cars can stop faster than motorcycles. Following too closely to the vehicle in front can easily result in a crash.