2 tips to extend the threshold

[@MCrider]

Become a Member of MCrider! More Details: www.MCrider.com/Member

[@aliservan7188]

OK weird fact, having watched all these videos several times, on a regular basis... when I'm out on my bike and about to freak out going into a corner too fast it's Kevin's voice I hear in my head keeping me calm O_o

[@CharlieBrownsApocalypse]

ali Servan you are not alone man

[@elleryjqueen1712]

Me too but never thought it was saying, honestly I remember his unique voice that is calming and full of truth.... cant understand why the comment above says we should listen at 1.25 speed.... All the best to Kevin and his audience.

[@elleryjqueen1712]

Oops never thought it was worth saying....lol

[@aliservan7188]

Ellery Don't worry, we know what you mean :D

[@BucketWheat]

Well... I don't actually 'hear Kevin' ... but I DO talk out loud to myself sometimes during 'aggressive' riding or in those "too Hot" moments.. LOL!! "SquEEEZe the brake...hit the turn-in... make it smooooth... cover the rear brake for a lite touch of trail braking if necessary... hold a SAFE lane position (on the street) ... " Of course, all of this is happening in split-second steps, but saying it -- thinking out loud -- keeps everything 'calm' and avoids panic moves like grabbing the front brake... I have even "Shouted" at myself a few times when I hit a spot of sand or Fall leaves in a curve.."RIDE IT OUT!!" LOL!! By the time I have yelled it out, the tires are biting again and I just need to make a smooth adjustment of my lane position and keep on riding!

[@CousinSchultz]

For those of us that live in states where the snow flies it is particularly important to leave plenty of traction in reserve during the first few months of the riding season. Every March and April here in Minnesota we have quite a bit of sand and grit in just about every curve. In fact, I prefer not to take my bike out until there is a good gully washer rain fall for that very reason. Even after a hard rain, it's still important to slow your roll during March and April. Plus you're just coming off of 5 months of not riding.

[@gwynnromano5881]

N. Schultz Another thing to keep in mind is black ice. Snow melts in the daytime and wets the road but after sunset the road freezes and on the way home from work in the dark you can encounter black ice and find yourself sideways in an instant. You can figure out how I know this.

[@bigblueglide8021]

Its a sad day. Putting the bike in storage. : ( until April......See you on the Flood Run.....

[@philtripe]

i moved to tucson specifically for the year round riding

[@timhanson9076]

Yep, so true. I also live in minnesota and as already said...so sad to put it away...but have to be very cautious starting out in the spring. Question...whats the flood run?

[@bigblueglide8021]

The Flood Run has been a charity run since 1965 when bikers rode from the Twin Cities (just south of Stillwater) to Winona and threw sandbags helping in the floods. They have one in spring and one run in fall. The web site for it is down right now. www.floodrun.net/index.php/the-flood-run/ kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqewapdvjJaEhdk kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIHFZ3WPZst9i6s Generally you ride down one side of the river and come back on the other. Its a good time. if the weather is nice then its great riding.

[@esa062]

That is good advice. Emergency braking is easy to do when you have time to prepare, but you don't have that time in a real emergency. I still need to practice that. The most important thing is not taking risks. People, especially young men, tend to sacrifice safety for fun. You need to assume that the road you don't see is blocked and covered in sand. We don't fall because there is sand on the road, we fall because we ride too fast and rely on luck. Luck runs out sooner or later.

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

Try practicing it on a hill. Not necessarily emergency braking, but nice firm braking. If you can do that without locking the brake or pulling a stoppie.

[@robthebank9453]

Your videos are, and have been greatly appreciated and helpful!!! I truly hear you voice when Im riding, as Im new to Motorcycling at 48 years young!! Thanks and God Bless you Kevin

[@deweyx0xx]

Kevin. You have taught me more about riding a bike than I could ever have learned on my own and stayed alive. Keep up the videos. Love them.

[@richardshilling2958]

Hello, I just want to say thank you for your fantastic videos. I've been practising emergency stops and manoeuvring since starting to watch your videos. Last Wednesday a deer was in middle of the road when I exited a corner, because of the practising I didn't panic and calmly braked heavily and swerved round it. Just wanted to say thanks. Yes our roads are slightly different over here in the UK (we drive on the correct side hee hee) but all your tips and advice are easily transfered. Well done and thanks again. If your ever over in the UK. Look me up I'll show round our great island. Richard.

[@MCrider]

Awesome Richard thanks for sharing! 👍👍👍

[@geepers100]

I agree that practicing emergency braking is probably the single most important skill to work on. We tend not to do it because it's a bit uncomfortable. You get that little "what if I lock the tyre?" voice in the back of the head. That's why I like Kevin's advice to practice at low speed and only very gradually increase it. Get REALLY comfortable with emergency braking at 25mph before even thinking about increasing it. It might take days or weeks at that speed but that's OK - better to be totally comfortable with it before moving up. Doing it this way removes the fear from the practice and that's a good thing because it means you WILL practice :) One other thing I'll add is not to do too many emergency stops in quick succession. You can overheat your brake fluid and that causes other problems.

[@TheeJackShack]

My mom just got her learner's endorsement about a month ago. Last week we were going to go on a ride together, but she ended up having a low speed crash in the driveway that resulted in a broken shoulder. The driveway is asphalt, but is on a very steep hill and is a giant S. It's early spring in Western Oregon, and despite my coaching by telling her not to ride in the middle of the road where the decomposed leaves and pine needles are, but if she feels the tire locking up, to ease pressure and gently reapply. After the trip to the hospital was done, and getting her home and as comfortable as possible, we started to have a discussion about the how's and why's this happened. In her mind, in her words, as an ER nurse, she doesn't panic, and she knows what she's doing because she used to ride a 50cc dirt bike as a kid some 50 years ago, and that she's perfectly in control. I try to explain to her how she's out of her element until she gets more seat time, get through the Team Oregon Safety course, and that 50cc dirt bike is a whole different animal compared to her 250 Rebel. When I try to explain to her that she was using her front brake to get down the driveway, and when that tire hit the slop it locked up. Out of instinct she most likely pulled more brake until she dumped the bike. She refuses to accept that's what happened. Is there a way you can make a video to help legitimize my thesis?

[@v2vortex]

Thanks Kevin, as always good words of wisdom to ride by!

[@artsbest1]

We have an autobond-like race track nearby. It's a private course of course but they do lend their facility to cycle rider courses once a year. We both attend yearly and now the other half is ready to ride her forthcoming Goldwing 2018 bike next spring. Good advice here.

[@cazgerald9471]

You have his & her wings? Nice!

[@trig]

I Wish you had posted this vid last week. After having the rear tyre lock up on me a few times I went out for a bit of a practice on my emergency stops. On my last attempt, at 40 mph (Doh!), everything was great until the last few feet when the rear locked again and I felt the bike go past the tipping point. I stuck my leg out to stop her going over but when my foot hit the floor my leg was dead straight. Its not broken but I have strained every muscle from my ankle to my thigh and it hurts. Thankfully I was wearing good tall bike boots and I think that stoped my ankle going. I ride a Triumph Thunder Bird Storm, and I am booking us up for advanced classes and a track day next year. In England our learning and testing covers most of the points that you raise in your videos and I think that the lessons you are teaching are priceless. They are also great as reference material that I often refer back to when I have had a close call or feel I am adopting a bad habit. Thank you for your time and wisdom. Next year I would like to ride from L.A to Florida around Christmas time, I cant wait :]

[@tickfawriver7990]

As you apply front brake the weight of the bike gradually shifts to the front tire, increasing traction in the front tire and decreasing traction in the rear tire. As you feal the weight shift and you continue to increase braking pressure on the front tire decrease braking pressure on the rear tire. Somwhere around 80% of your braking force should be on the front tire.

[@BucketWheat]

Practice! Practice! Practice! As you get better and better at SQUEEZING on the front brake -- as Kevin is saying -- you DO have to develop a feel for what the rear brake is doing! As Tickfawriver said, on some bikes -- particularly the sport bikes with dual front disc and super-sticky tires -- the rear tire can completely lift off the ground! It is easier to SAY than to DO but if you feel the rear lifting toward 'the tipping point' you have to actually RELEASE some of the pressure on the front brakes! (Just as we see some of the stunt-riders do long 'stoppies' at just the right amount of pressure to constantly hold the tire in the air without coming to a complete stop nor going over the front.) That is also why you need to straighten up the bike before you do Really Hard braking because it the tires are not in line -- and the rear tire is still involved in steering the bike -- then the rear WILL go off course if it has weight lifted off of it..! Rossi and Marquez can Handle that, as the "back into curves" with the rear wheel sliding out or even lifting off the track!! But you and I CAN NOT! LOL!! I am REAL sorry to hear about your jammed up leg!! Hope you are back to 100% real soon! if you can get in one or two Track Days next season, you will be AMAZED at how much more you learn about trusting your tires and braking zones and smooth transition from braking to accelerating out the other side of a curve...and a dozen other things that you will become more aware of! I am 65 years old, been riding since I was about 13, and ride a Liter Sport Bike ... and I still pick up something to improve on with every track day! NO Chicken strips on THIS old man's Pony!!

[@STho205]

Michael Tricker. So have you made the transcontinental run from Jacksonville to LA yet? Interstate 10 is a pretty good and straight road, but in the east, pretty boring. US Highway 90 might offer you some visual relief from the straightness and speeds of I10. Bad with jams are Mobile, AL river tunnel, New Orleans, Houston, El Paso and then approaches to LA. Avoid the 6-9am and 4-8pm and they flow well. You need water on you as that route will dry you out. Helmet laws change state to state and you can't lane filter till California. I assume you'd wear your helmet the total trip.

[@ironhorses0802]

Hi Kevin. Thanks for another good video. This past August I lost control of my bike and was thrown about 50 feet. I’ve healed up, repaired the bike and am back at riding. I’ve been riding bikes of all types or 50 years. This single vehicle wreck I had I cannot figure out. I was riding a road I had ridden many times. I was traveling at 35 mph and went through a tight corner, which did have gravel. However, I approached the turn, made the turn and straightened out head straight. At that very moment the bike lost traction and slide to the right (also the direction of the turn I had completed). Nothing was in the road (oil, gravel, etc. at that point). Trying to figure out what caused the slide. Been back there many times and cannot figure it out. Again, good video. If I had been in the turn, this answers some of that, but it wasn’t, it was on the straight path out of the turn. Thanks

[@timhanson9076]

Hi Kevin. Another great video. One of the traction items i tried to avoid, and may be a short video discussion for you, is the white/yellow lines in lanes, pedestrian walkways etc and also when im changing lanes the cracked and broken road under the white lane lines that tires dont like. Sometimes it makes lane changing interesting. So, any ideas on these 2 subjects would b great. Thx again for your time in helping us become better/safer riders. I enjoy the videos and am proud to be one of your sponsors.

[@beek014]

any thoughts on honda`s combined braking system with the abs? i love it!

[@philtripe]

i would agree with the abs...even though i have never had it and my new Ducati has no abs, no traction control and no riding modes and i love that about the bike but i do concede if i lived anywhere but Tucson i could be a problem

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Kevin, I did a track day about 16 yrs ago and it did make a huge improvement in my street riding skills, although going in, I didn't think or know it would translate to street riding. All in, with the course and a few souvenirs it cost me $800 here in Ontario, Canada. The money was well worth it, as there have been incidents (not accidents) since then that have saved me because of that training. Another great subject bud.

[@TravisTerrell]

I don't get why moto track days are sooo much more expensive than cars.

[@Shifty1050]

Confidence inspiring advice man, thank you 👍🏼

[@vanisle9432]

Going up a hill on a gravel road can wipe out most bikes, especially those with a lot of torque. BMW offers traction control on a number of their road and adventure bikes. Like ABS ten years ago, I expect to see traction control become a semi-standard feature on many machines. With traction control, you can confidently ride in most situations.

[@neilshepherd1904]

Hi. Great tips. Just a couple of thoughts - Some guys (and some bikes) find it very easy to lock the rear brake, especially when front braking makes the rear end lighter, or in a corner, or going up and over a sharp rise. or a combination of those. The traction threshold of brand new tyres is heaps less until the tyres wear in. I've always wondered if the front brake on a 'typical' Harley is as important as other bikes (EG: sport bike)? Cheers.

[@johnhoffman3598]

If your going to use the Harley for the the motor skills course you may not want ABS. But if it was an option you may be able to add it.

[@roberthayes5541]

John Hoffman Interesting comment. Can you tell me why? Thanks.

[@johnhoffman3598]

Robert Hayes Because if you rely on the electronics doing your job you lose the skills needed to be able to feel when the bike is at its threshold.For the day to day driver ( cars too )ABS is probably needed or an advantage for most riders.

[@drumsnbass]

ABS & traction control can help save your ass too. For emergency braking when I'm on a state hwy and have no traffic coming into a light I often practice hard braking from 55mph down

[@itzed]

I ride a ‘96 Shadow. No matter how hard I squeeze it’s unlikely the wheel will lock up. An ingenious anti-lock design that was way ahead of its time. 😉

[@sail4life]

You mean the brake hoses are falling apart after 21 years ;-)

[@itzed]

Haha, no the hoses are fine. Single disc in the front, and drum in the back, it’s adequate, but I’m glad it’s a light bike!

[@kennethvernonprivate]

Another informative video.....as were are in the midst of full on winter, I'm living vicariously through KZbin! Hahahah

[@pbkayakyer]

Easy way to not grab a handful of brake is to use 1 finger braking. Grabbing a handful is a slower reaction time than if you had one finger resting on the lever and because you only use 1 finger, you're less likely to squeeze the crap out of the lever.

[@daisy8luke]

Great comment. I use my middle and ring fingers when braking. Done that for years. That's more than enough power to stop the bike safely.

[@EnsignSuder]

Grabbing a handful of brake in a panic is really tough to train yourself out of unless you practice it a lot a lot a lot a lot. Unfortunately virtually no one does. Even rear braking in a panic is almost guaranteed to break the rear tire loose which can end in the bike high-siding and launching the rider like a catapult.

[@daisy8luke]

I think you'd have to really hammer down on the brakes to lose traction with traveling straight. In a corner it obviously would be different. Once I was entering an intersection at around 40 mph with my teenage daughter riding on the back, and this jackwagon looked like he was about to pull a left hand turn right in my path. I really cranked down on both brakes hard, so hard the front tire chirped a little. Got the bike stopped in a very short distance without losing control. Maybe I just have good tires. Running Michelin Commanders on my Harley Dyna Super Glide without ABS.

[@EnsignSuder]

daisy8luke Truthfully, I've never had the front lock up on any of my non ABS-equipped bikes, even though I've grabbed the handle in something considerably more pronounced than a "slow progressive squeeze". I have, however, locked up the rear tire on occasion upon hitting the pedal fast and forcefully in response to a sudden threat. Every time it surprised me to have the rear end get squirrely. Each time I got off the pedal before things got sideways, but the sequence happens in less than seconds. I don't know how much tire traction can help in situations where the rotational speed of the tire has been slowed well below the velocity of the bike. The trick is trying to find that edge of the control envelope where maximum decelleration is achieved without entering a skid. Tough to do when you muscles are auto-responding and amplified by adrenaline.

[@brucewayne-ej3cx]

Great video

[@heilioEcentric]

play this video at 1.25 speed.

[@BrianRidesFree]

Good tip!

[@tat2wheelz]

Try 1.5. Seems to change his excitement haha!

[@LuisNunez210]

I did it at 2x lol

[@21mejia25]

Try .5 speed lol

[@mr.2d749]

Thanks for the continuing education...how does anti-lock factor in the scenario?

[@mifsudm80]

If you do 'snatch' the brake lever and lock the wheel having ABS will prevent this occuring - allowing the wheel to to continually turn even under heavy braking or poor surface conditions - it has saved me on at least 3 occasions in 3 years! That said every one should practice emergency braking - often times - when i see a red light approaching and there are no vehicles around i use this as an opportunity to practice emergency braking.

[@احمدحميد-ض3ب]

Hi ...i use 1 or 2 fingers for frint break to be smooth in front break

[@jeffmassey4860]

When emergency braking,should I worry about downshifting,or hold the clutch in till it is safe to shift?

[@scorpiongag]

Perfect

[@bobhenderson5809]

kevin are you saying the same steady pressure also applies with bikes equipped with ABS

[@MCrider]

+Bob Henderson Yes, same technique for both. Maximum braking and stopping power will always be at the threshold of traction. ABS is there just in case the threshold is exceeded. 👍🏻

[@waynemccarthy1097]

Hey Kevin I was hoping you could answer a question about uploading. I have a GoPro session 4 I am able to capture great quality video clear and crisp. What type system do you use for uploading onto KZbin this is where I view you channel from.

[@MCrider]

+Wayne Mccarthy Hi Wayne, I edit on a Mac using Final Cut Pro and upload from my computer.

[@markhenry192]

Confidence is my biggest issue, i am ok with the tecknic but fear creeps in as i approach a corner. But i am old so to be expected (53)! Thanks, always good stuff.

[@fooboochoozoo4637]

mark henry get something with less power with the height and width and weight that makes you comfortable. I went a 250 for that reason it was the best decision i made

[@markhenry192]

Thanks Martin but honestly it has little to do with power or height. I can flat foot no problem and the power is easily managed. yes it's a little heavy which may have a bearing but equally a heavy bike can make a bike more stable. I have only had the bike two weeks so i need more tome perhaps. Thanks again.

[@tonyg1773]

I'm 67 and it took me a while to become confident in cornering but after a little more time you'll come to love roundabouts!

[@fooboochoozoo4637]

Just find a nice quiet road with plenty of bends and you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Start of slow and work your way up

[@markhenry192]

Thats very reassuring to know Tony, thanks

[@mckinky8912]

Question, my GF's Daytona 675 has ABS. If we were to have to perform an emergency stop should we still squeeze or would it be preferred to let the ABS system do its work?

[@JCarlSmokeZ]

McKinky it’s still better to practice the technique. If you ever go past the threshold, then ABS will kick in and take control. If you want to know when the systems activates, I’ve heard you’d hear or feel a pulsating sound when ABS kicks in but I’m not too sure about that. Have fun practicing!

[@daisy8luke]

My FJR1300 has a light on the display that says ATS or something like that whenever traction control is engaged. I've only seen it once.

[@williamkumley5135]

If you properly perform threshold braking on dry pavement you'll stop in a shorter distance than you would if you allowed the ABS to kick in. However, ABS is a nice feature to have in the event that you grab too much brake, especially if you're on wet pavement.

[@jeremymcclanahan2389]

Can you please provide info on patreon?

[@Chromosome1919]

i have full confidence taking corners uphill. i still a problem taking corners downhill and sometimes brake in the middle of the corner. how to avoid this kind of habit?

[@daisy8luke]

That's my LEAST favorite cornering scenario !!

[@supakamario]

What do u think about the statement? "Most cruisers have much more lean after peg scrap".

[@tccoup355]

Is it ok to grab a fist full brake if the bike has abs?

[@MCrider]

+tccoup355 You will lose stopping distance doing that. ABS should be used a safety measure but threshold braking will still give the shortest stopping distance.

[@tccoup355]

Thanks, it would be great if you could make a video showing the difference in stopping distance between hitting both brakes as hard as you can with ABS and using threshold braking with ABS. Peace brother.

[@virgil4818]

@tccoup355 if lent over in a corner even with abs, a handful of brake will have you eating pavement 🙁 modern high end supersport bikes (BMW S1000RR, Ducati Panagale etc) have lean angle sensor abs which is only just starting to filter out to ‘regular’ bikes, still need good techniques and practice

[@tccoup355]

I was thinking about the stopping distance in a straight line.

[@howarddirkson2921]

do a vid on how to drop your cycle in a life threatening situtaion,when to hit the eject button+exit a m/c as it is going down safeely if at all possible+sceanarious too consider dropping your ride????!!

[@Northstar-Media]

I try to not over think it ,i just use my natural ability.

[@zbigniewbielicki2687]

Thanks .Front braking is nerve for ME.

[@goons123flofy]

I am going to pick me up one of them new Yamaha Niken , 3 wheeled leaning motorcycles. 2 front tires = more trakion!

[@rebel_ltz]

TurgBurglar That’s pretty gay. Just kidding. Have fun.

[@goons123flofy]

tom rebel if more traction is gay, then I am fucking Liberace himself!

[@BucketWheat]

"Let's look at TWO THINGS... Braking, Accelerating, and cornering... " Ha Ha !!

[@MCrider]

+Floyd Burdett oops

[@BucketWheat]

Ahh...but that would be an INCREASE in the change of direction...or the rate of speed. To quote directly from a Physics textbook..."Acceleration is a vector quantity that is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity. An object is accelerating if it is changing its velocity." Velocity is measured as distance within the same amount of time...ie 10mph ...so an increase to 20mph would be acceleration. To increase in change of direction would be to increase the amount of change from the original path, such as increasing from 10 degrees to the right up to 15 degrees, then 20 degrees and so on... BUT 'cornering' on a motorcycle typically includes a DEcrease in rate of speed, and may include a constant change of direction or a variable change... Oh well...it's all in fun!! I was just jibbing Kevin for his three item list of 2 things... just a bit of dry humor...My wife and I have fun poking each other over things like that... and my brother is a "Major Nerd" Engineer that has done some VERY high-end work that I am not allowed to talk about publicly,,,and he gets into the "Technically..." all the time...and I like to 'fight back' ... but I have to be careful with him...sometimes he gets a little 'testy'.. LOL!!

[@daisy8luke]

The decrease in the rate of speed when cornering happens BEFORE you're actually cornering. Cornering should be a constant speed up to the point where you're rolling on the throttle coming out of the corner.

[@BucketWheat]

That 'depends' ... for safe 'normal' riding and a 'relaxed cruise' that is true... But as you reach the upper regions of performance riding -- whether it is more spirited twisty mountain roads, or moving into Track Riding -- there is NO 'constant speed' riding unless you are at full throttle or holding the edge of grip thru a long curve.. (smile) You can actually carry some trail braking into the curve after your turn-in point, and then switch right to the roll-on... With practice, you can learn to carry a bit of trail braking in those situations where you DID get in a little too hot... But YES...this is getting into the kind of riding you should NOT be doing on ANY bike while street riding. But it does show how a little bit of "performance riding" training can actually make you SAFER on the street by raising your 'reserve skills' in a 'panic' type situation... In my many years of riding, I have experienced situations on my cruiser when my performance riding skills 'kicked in' to get me thru...

[@daisy8luke]

While that may be true, MCRider isn't trying to make safer high performance riders. He's making safer average Joe on the way to work or out for a pleasure ride on the weekend kind of riders. And he's very good at it.

[@goons123flofy]

Mac rider? Scottish? 1st comment

[@MCrider]

You're the winner this week!