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Improving your stopping distance doesn’t always mean hours in a parking lot. In fact, there are three simple habits you can start using right now that will make a huge difference when it’s time to stop in a hurry.
1. Cover the Front Brake
Your reaction time has a big influence over your total stopping distance.
The average rider’s reaction time is 0.75 seconds. At 60 MPH, that’s 66 feet of travel before you even touch the front brake.
By “covering the brake,” I mean using one or two fingers resting lightly on the front brake lever so they’re in position to begin braking.
- Do not apply pressure to the lever (this will activate the brake light).
- Do simply rest your fingers in position so you can start braking immediately.
Some riders cover the front brake all the time. Personally, I do it:
- When approaching intersections with cars present
- In heavier traffic situations
- Anytime my “Spidey senses” tell me it’s needed
How Much Does This Help?
Covering the brake reduces reaction time by 0.18–0.19 seconds compared to having your fingers wrapped around the throttle.
At 60 MPH, that 0.19 seconds saves you about 17 feet—roughly one full car length—before the brakes are even applied.
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2. Use Both Brakes
Many riders get in the habit of using only one brake—either front or rear. That habit has a huge impact on total stopping distance.
Here’s what the numbers look like at 60 MPH:
- Rear brake only: ~0.4g deceleration → 303 ft stopping distance
- Front brake only: ~0.7g deceleration → 173 ft stopping distance
- Both brakes: ~0.8g deceleration → 151 ft stopping distance
That’s more than 20 feet shorter when using both brakes vs. front only, and over 150 feet shorter compared to rear only.
Your numbers may vary based on motorcycle type and style, but the principle holds.
Pro Tip: Use both brakes every time you come to a stop. This builds muscle memory so you’re more likely to use both in an emergency.
3. Maintain Proper Hand Position on the Throttle
Your hand position on the throttle affects stopping distance and can prevent another common problem.
If your wrist is high on the throttle:
- You may have to reposition your hand before braking
- Or worse, you might roll on the throttle while reaching for the brake
This is a common issue in emergency braking practice—riders unintentionally accelerate during a stop.
Solution: Keep your wrist flat on the throttle, not bent. This keeps your fingers in proper position to brake without twisting the throttle.
Some riders try to fix this by adjusting their grip just before braking, but proper wrist position from the start eliminates that need.
Final Thoughts
These three no-practice habits can significantly reduce your stopping distance:
- Cover the front brake
- Use both brakes
- Maintain proper throttle hand position
It can be the difference between stopping short of a crash or hitting a vehicle at speed.
Next time you ride, pay attention to your habits. If any of these areas need improvement, now you have the knowledge to make those changes.
Till next week…
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