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Want to cut your braking distance without upgrading your motorcycle?
MCrider Books! The MCrider Field Guide & New MCrider Road Strategy Book
In this video, we break down how you can drastically improve your emergency braking in just minutes. Whether you ride with or without ABS, your ability to stop quickly depends on three key factors: your perception time, your braking technique, and the road surface beneath your tires. Learn how mastering these elements through proper Road Strategy and Road Skills can be the difference between a close call and a collision. Watch now and level up your braking game.
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You don’t need a brand-new motorcycle, ABS brakes, or the latest Brembo setup to improve your stopping distance. In fact, with just a few minutes of focused attention, you can make a huge difference in how quickly—and safely—you can stop your bike.
Emergency braking is one of the most critical riding skills you can develop.
According to the NHTSA, over 30% of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes are either rear-end or failure-to-yield collisions—where your stopping ability makes all the difference. More often than not, it’s the motorcycle rear-ending the car, not the other way around.
The Three Pillars of Stopping Distance
Braking distance is influenced by three main categories:
- Perception & Reaction Time – Driven by your Road Strategy
- Braking Technique – Tied directly to your Road Skills
- Traction & Surface Conditions – Impacts both strategy and skill
Let’s break each one down.
1. Perception & Reaction Time
For the average rider, it takes 1 to 1.5 seconds to perceive a hazard and begin braking. That’s built into your total stopping distance right from the start.
At 60 MPH, that delay equals about 88 feet before you even apply the brakes.
How to Improve This:
You can’t remove perception time entirely, but you can give yourself more time to react:
- Look further ahead — Scan 10-12 seconds up the road.
- Adjust your lane position — Maximize your sight lines.
- Maintain proper following distance — Give yourself a buffer to spot and plan for hazards.
No matter your skill level, you can’t avoid what you don’t see. Your vision, lane position, and following distance all work together to buy you precious time.
2. Braking Technique
This is where your Road Skills really show.
Braking technique is how you apply and manage brake pressure—front and rear—to stop efficiently.
Key Concepts:
- Front brake delivers 70–90% of your stopping power.
- Rear brake adds stability, especially during slow-speed or emergency stops.
- Threshold braking (not grabbing) stops faster than ABS. It involves progressively applying pressure to both brakes up to the point just before lock-up.
Grabbing the front brake—especially in a panic—extends your stopping distance, whether your bike has ABS or not.
Why Practice Matters:
Proper braking technique doesn’t just show up when you need it—it comes from practice. Without regular practice, those skills fade fast.
3. Traction & Surface Conditions
This might be the one area we have the least control over, but it still plays a huge role in stopping distance.
What You Can Control:
- Keep your tires and brakes in good condition.
- Maintain proper tire pressure.
- Perform regular pre-ride inspections.
Anticipate Hazards:
- Adjust your Road Strategy for rain, gravel, or oily surfaces.
- Expect the road surface to change—especially in emergency braking situations.
Sometimes, traction can change mid-stop. A patch of oil, paint strip, or different pavement texture can drastically reduce grip.
This is where ABS shines. It’s not a replacement for good technique, but it’s a backup plan when road conditions change or panic sets in. ABS can prevent a lock-up and help maintain control, even if your technique falters under pressure.
ABS used to be an expensive upgrade. Now, thanks to regulation in some countries, the price has come down—making it more accessible for all riders.
Put It All Together: Road Strategy + Road Skills
A strong braking technique, paired with a smart road strategy, gives you the tools to avoid crashes in the first place—and the ability to deal with them when they do happen.
I’ve written two books that cover these topics in depth:
- The MCrider Field Guide
- Road Strategy (available now for pre-order)
You can grab them individually or as a bundle at MCrider.com/Books.
Final Thoughts
Braking isn’t just about grabbing levers—it’s a skill that combines mental strategy and physical technique. Whether you ride with ABS or not, your ability to stop quickly starts with what you see, how you ride, and how you prepare.
Until next week,
Ride safe, and ride smart.
Links you may be interested in:
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Braking Tips
Entry Speed
Head & Eyes
Slow – Look – Press – Roll
Trail Braking
Following Distance
Police Skills
Riding Under the Influence
Become a Member for immediate access to the MCrider Field Guide.
Below is some gear that I ride with on a daily basis…if you are in the need of good riding gear, the products below have worked well for me.
KLIM Jacket – https://www.MCrider.com/KLIM
Shoei Motorcycle Helmets – https://www.MCrider.com/Shoei
Windshirt/Jacket Liner – https://www.MCrider.com/Liner
Lee Park Sumo Gloves – https://www.MCrider.com/LeeParks
The best source for guiding your practice session is the MCrider Field Guide.
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