How to Master Braking Technique on a Dirt Bike - 3 Steps w/ Practice Drills!!

Becoming a better motocross rider isn't all about just twisting the throttle, it's about getting better at stopping and using your brakes. Learn how to use your brakes like pro in this video! Plus we show you some very effective drills to improve your braking technique as well as your corner speed.
We show you how to master your braking technique in these 3 steps:
1) Brake Basics
2) Body Position
3) Set Up Timing
Let us know which tips work best for you in the comments below!
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The Mx Factory is a premier motocross training facility located in Austin, Tx. We teach first time dirt bike riders to aspiring professional racers. We are excited to bring our years of coaching and riding experience to KZbin to make you a better, safer, dirt bike rider.
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Disclaimer:
Motorcycle riding is inherently dangerous. This video was filmed on a closed course with a professional rider with years of riding and teaching experience. The Mx Factory and all related personnel are not to be held responsible for any injury resulting from attempting these techniques. The bottom line is wear safety gear, take it slow, have fun, and consult a riding coach when necessary. The bottom bottom line, DON'T BE DUMB.

[@phil5992]

I've been riding for 15 years and i still have a problem of using my front brake literally 95% of the time in any condition and situation. It's like a hoe I can't walk away from...

[@caleb_sully24]

philip hawker sane here

[@702bartender]

Love the channel and your antics! 33 year old new rider here (other than 110s back in high school lol), and just picked up an 97 CR 250r. 🤦🏽 I got it for a great price and probably won’t get out of first anytime soon, but love the channel and might have to make a trip down the track one of these days! Keep up the awesome vids Ty. 🤙🏾

[@elijahfinister5463]

A good way to get really good is to let out the rear brake fluid so u have no rear brakes and just slowly practice with your front brakes that's what I did and over a couple months I got super comfortable with my front brake and it's made me alottt faster in all areas it was a trip. Be careful though and ride at ur own comfortable speed or it could go really bad. Good luck 👍

[@fahim4853]

Haha me too!! I started off on quads and this is a bitch of a habit!!!

[@bryandodson3267]

@@702bartender have you gotten out on that dirt bike yet?!?!?!?

[@lukehudson6792]

These videos are so good. Im actively trying to do each step when im riding on the weekend, cheers guys thanks alot!!

[@mheyeng]

very imformative

[@ChevyFleetline]

Fgd

[@marrmar1]

Your videos are so AWESOME! I'm walking around the house with my helmet on!! Can't wait until everything opens again so I can go RIDING!!!

[@JOHNNYGIX]

Advanced technique is to smoothly drag your front brake in the turns to compress the front suspension which adds more front end traction. You hardly ever hear anyone talk about this in braking drills

[@RideWithTheWolf]

Use both brakes ... if you can hold on

[@danaskrist1951]

Always both breaks

[@VlogEpicness]

Karen: don’t engine brake

[@nicki3305]

Hi Vlog Epicness!

[@rofenognico1049]

When you said there is 3 brakes i was just wtf. Front frear and engine braking. But i ride a 2 stroke🙃

[@nicolaiqvist8411]

Rofen Og Nico there is engine brake on two stroke try it out next time your at the track

[@rofenognico1049]

U dont engine brake a 2 stroke its not that good 4 the bike!!!

[@SammyPsk]

U dont wanna engine brake a 2T :D especially in high RPM motocross

[@rofenognico1049]

Sammy P. Yes exalctly 👍

[@nicolaiqvist8411]

I was at a traning Camp with the Danish motocross Champions and they Said that i should start engine Breaking on a KTM 85 2 stroke

[@DonutMX]

nice channel Tyler :) hope to see ya at the Cycle Ranch race this weekend!

[@adamchisholm3292]

donut, luv u

[@Endurochannel]

Great video! You have to gain ur bottle flip skills! :D 👊

[@coltsc10s81]

You have a new subscriber. Love how informational the videos are as well as how well get right to the point

[@TheMxFactory]

Thanks for the feedback and watching!

[@truckskidslife4952]

45 years old never been on any sort of bike and watching these videos 👍 bought myself a little one and I’m going to learn. (Just how to ride it safely) thanks for all the great vids.

[@user-et5mz5ex9s]

How's the bike treating you 3 years later? How much have you improved?

[@FrenchGoddy]

When I started riding I always used the front brakes and rarely the back ones.... most of the time it worked besides the few times I went over the handle bars 😂 but now I use my back brakes a lot

[@JohnDoe-pf6qp]

Side note: NEVER engine brake with a two stroke.

[@petergriffin4629]

Side note, always engine brake with a two stroke. You do understand, that your engine is still lubricated under shut of throttle. How the fuck should people have raced two stroke roadbikes without engine braking.

[@devan6696]

@@petergriffin4629 how would it still be lubricated if the fuel is cut off?

[@petergriffin4629]

@@devan6696 well that's simple. In carburetted engines The fuel isn't cut off, the throttle is reduced. And in the few injected two strokes that exist, the lubrication is a separate injector.

[@devan6696]

@@petergriffin4629 but I thought that the fuel is the lubricant?

[@petergriffin4629]

@@devan6696 no in carburetted and some injected engines the fuel contains the lubricant. In the modern injected engines the two are separated

[@bigkx1312]

I'm in the process of trying to learn not to sit when I'm braking. Slowly getting better lol

[@e6ensperception]

1:35 I'd rather have a Beyond burger over a salad any day... But shout out to this guy for providing a vegan option lmao 👊🏽

[@LivingRad]

would you mind breaking down the gear shifting in the breaking drill and when approaching a corner? In the drill do you downshift before you break or should you practice in a single gear? I feel like mi doing acrobatics on my bike coming up to every turn when I ride in the gravel.

[@FlorentinoLoco]

Will be the 70_30% back _ front apply also for enduro beginners?

[@Mash_shorts-]

This is the best tip on youtube for braking and body position i don't know why other coaches don't mention how important this is. Just doing the correct position for accelerating and braking made me sooo much faster

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

You are amazing and are putting a lot of MX schools out of business - LOL - Really, what about colors for gear selection, aren't we to shift down at the same time in the red zone?

[@lifeofalunatic1976]

Yeah, he said that there are 3 ways to brake and shifting down is one of them, so that's in the red zone as well as the rear and front brake.

[@sf4Guy]

Great video on teaching coming to a corner turn. You answered my question if I need to pull in the clutch on the entry of the turn. Great break down of the technique.

[@albertptran]

This is an important skill. Thanks for sharing

[@josh6998]

How much do i apply on front and mback if I’m in really loose sand

[@Yodumeee]

69% back

[@kylegeyer6805]

This instantly made me a better rider when I focused on downshifting without the clutch through corners. These videos are freaking awesome!

[@bjjfijffifif1169]

ف

[@user-et5mz5ex9s]

Shouldn't be downshifting without using the clutch. I think that the point was more about using the engine to slow down and practicing braking without your left hand on the bars to get used to body position.

[@Roger.T]

@@user-et5mz5ex9sYou should be downshifting any modern bike without the clutch.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

@@Roger.T Not quite, upshifting its ok, downshifting can cause damage. you downshift without rev mactching ( which can only be done with clutch) when in the streets, may cause you issues, unless you have a slipper clutch, but still rev matching is a good practice to do

[@Roger.T]

@@mannyechaluce3814 Both of them will cause wear of course but i’ve never clutched when downshifting and have never had any issues on all the bikes i’ve had, i always do on the upshift but thats just me

[@federicogirelli2053]

Which model of husqvarna is this?

[@TheMxFactory]

2018 FC450

[@thatstheguy07]

Noob here... So when you brake, you don’t use the clutch? You just let off the throttle and hit the brake? How come that doesn’t stall it?

[@TheMxFactory]

If you go slow enough and hit the brake without the clutch, it will stall it. So the clutch is necessary. But if you have speed, you don't necessarily need the clutch to brake. It depends on how fast you are going.

[@thatstheguy07]

The Mx Factory ok. Thanks.

[@gbgodee4679]

@@TheMxFactory so I just bought a 125cc . Can I brake/slow down ..using (clutch) downshift from higher speeds ??

[@gbgodee4679]

Using the clutch to down shift

[@nicholaswaite2161]

Thanks Tyler you always have solid advice we appreciate the time and effort you put into making these videos 👍

[@RideWithTheWolf]

My issue is I can't really feel the brake in my new riding boots. At times, I find I'm missing the brake. When I'm casual and in hiking boots, I can feel the brake and I feel much more confident.

[@namename6645]

Alpinestars tech 10

[@ahmadhatahet6227]

Why dose my bike trun off when i press the brake and stay in one spot

[@jbraz8]

Hey guys thank you so much for the content. Could you please consider doing a video tutorial on dabbing foot down procedures. You'd be helping many people including myself with only one ACL LOL

[@TheGuyWhoAsked72]

How do you know when your front tire is gonna wash out

[@iamonfire92]

There mustn't be any "set up zone", all mx is only acceleration and braking. If u're not braking, u accelerate. Also u didn't shift gears while braking. So when u teach, u have to teach properly from the beginning, yes, while ure teaching u will just roll the corner, but as u get more experienced u have to cut this "roll" as much as u can.

[@TheMxFactory]

We will have to agree to disagree sir, there will always be a “set up zone” it doesn’t mean it will always be real long but there has to be at least a 1-5 foot roll in order to get the bike to lean. When you’re on the brake the bike wants to stand up when you’re on the gas the bike wants to stand up. So there has to be a “fall zone” where you’re off the gas in order to get the bike to lean to the proper height depending on berm or rut. Note: some riders I.E. top level pro riders are extremely good at braking and leaning at the same time to minimize the amount of roll time needed. So there are some cases where there is very little “set up” time. The average rider will likely never experience that and shouldn’t be taught in a way that will create frustration.

[@marconavarra5360]

Congratulations!!! You got very good teaching skills, and your happiness shows how much you love motocross !!! THANK YOU :)

[@g000se99]

Omg the back brake.... YES! Enduro noob respect!

[@SenorDennis]

This is a great video. The one arm drill really opened my eyes as to how little you should be actually using your arms no matter where you are on the track.

[@christera2686]

You are great 😁 I really like these videos, with a little bit of funny stuff in between. Makes me want to see and learn more from you 😁

[@SKIDSnSTUFF]

Get sick and smash the shifter up and down as you please, no clutch. Buy a new clutch as needed. This is MX, girls, not for the faint hearted or povo

[@facundorobles447]

Well... looks like we have a Cross Training Enduro subscriber right here!!

[@yxiscatti]

Nice videos, they are very useful I enjoy it and lear a lot! Did you ever think about doing some ATV videos? it will be really awesome! By the way, I have a Yamaha Raptor 700RR and If I press the rear brake without pulling the cloutch the engine just die, so I missing quite a lot of engine braking (and the big engine provide a very good engine braking), so im a little comfused since you said in the video we should use the 3 brakes at the same time (front, reand and engine) but at some point I need to pull the clouth to prevent my engine die or not use much the rear brake. It so different from dirt bike to Sport ATV on braking staff or im doing it wrong? Any help will be very much appreciated. I will practice the braking exercises for sure in my next ride!

[@zestooo6932]

Just hold the clutch

[@ryancarter2146]

What about left turns vs right turns? I always struggle with the right turns and hard braking since I want to put my foot down too soon, which requires you to let off the rear brake.

[@kinzotx]

the colour example of when to break, setup and then gas is so good. best example ive seen. big ups guys massive respect :D

[@environmenteller4442]

I love to nerd 🤓out on these videos. so much technique is involved people have no clue, they think it's just riding a bike. little do they know

[@commanderinquif1527]

Nice music. I was waitin to see your "crib" tho

[@riccardoaccordi]

Thanks for that. Would have been easier to focus on what you're saying without the music. Great video but no music needed

[@WilliamDumoreGlobz]

I like to adjust my front brake so that I get as much braking as possible without the capability of locking up, even when fully engaged. It makes for much better control through the harsh braking bumps coming into the turns.

[@MrLoke79]

just got my first Bike KTM125 sx , thanks for good tips to not die !

[@manmachinelifestyle3746]

nice turorial video. very informative. keep it up!

[@TheMxFactory]

+Mac Long Thanks! We plan on keeping it up 👍🏻

[@gocowboys51411]

anyone who comes across this video PLZ help!! I'm a woman with a klx 230r and we've got a lot of sand around our riding area. how do I make semi to actual sharp turns in this sand and WHEN DO I PULL IN THE CLUTCH? our friends are out there doing this crap and I'm scared to death my back tire is going to slide out from under me. anyone who rides in sand and can give me advice would be great!

[@issac951]

My bike turns off the when I press the rear break

[@rutheniumguy5686]

Down shift before the turn

[@dominicw8868]

Im uh watching this video because last time I rode my rm85, I tapped on the rear brakes ( I think) and the bike literally spun around in a 180 and I was on my ass, my bike was facing the direction I just came from. Part of me thinks it’s because the tires were in terrible condition, the rear tire is bald asf, the front is old as hell with dry rot cracks. Another part of me thinks my rear brakes are too “touchy”, as soon as I apply rear brake pressure my tire locks up instead of gradually slowing me down. It might be because I recently upgraded from an 04 drz125 (drum brakes) to a 08 Rm85 (hydraulic brakes). It might be because I’m extremely inexperienced, but most likely it’s that I need to get off my ass and change my tires and get some more seat time. If anyone spent the time to read this I appreciate it lol, I love that lil 85 (:

[@syndicatemotos7534]

My family don’t have enough to send me to moto school so im learning from you

[@exploreinfinite9175]

Do u use the clutch for braking? I am a noob so please take it easy on me

[@lexiroberts7486]

ya u clutch in then brake then shift to second

[@jmx318]

Nothing mentioned about application? Pumping the rear break or just smashing down on it?

[@smashy152]

should you still downshift/brake without clutch on a carbed 2 stroke? no oil during engine braking but I guess they account for that in the maintenance/rebuild intervals

[@mechanixandmurica2145]

Great videos - thanks for all the time ya'll spend making these things. I am trying to change my riding techs, working on a lot of practice drills and thinking about what I do on the dirt bike much more than I used to. I am a little curious, some other instructors (eg Gary Semics) talk about drift sliding on the setup going into a turn. That application was for a flat turn though . . . . . , did you not mention this technique because you had a bit of a rut to put your wheel in? Interestingly Doug Dubach had a really well thought out video on flat turns, and he did not mention the drift slide on braking either. But I have to think that drift slides (slight) and the appropriate application of front and rear brakes are relevant. Thanks

[@rsssutton]

Learnt some new stuff👍 with the red, yellow, green. Are you still braking in the yellow section or are you just rolling?

[@crosstimberranchltd9903]

hi i have had my bike for about 2 years but when i push hard on the back brake the sprocket and chain make a bad noise is that bad for the bike or is it ok

[@calegraville1442]

@@ryansoltysiak2394 thanks for ur response but i figured it out lol

[@calegraville1442]

i also forgot about this comment lol

[@rykerbroberg7062]

I’ve been riding sence I was six but I recently got into racing and I just don’t understand how my rear brake can be faster than just coasting and I just need to understand how it helps

[@harleytidey3154]

I'm new to dirt biking I've just got a ktm 85. Is it okay to shift down without clutch

[@lukasforselius1975]

should you use your clutch when braking?

[@blackeagle0778]

No, that negates the engine braking.

[@lukasforselius1975]

BlackEagle 077 ok thx

[@danaskrist1951]

This is wrong. In the set up area you should be applying breaks but not as hard as in the break area as this gives the most traction and allows to enter the corner faster, and then whilst breaking get your leg out and release break simultanously giving appropriate amount of gas

[@ashleyh6699]

hopefully i’m not the only one that’s stalled my bike braking hard around a turn 😂😂

[@petergriffin4629]

I'd bet it's gonna be hard to find somebody who hasn't.

[@leprechaunjuan]

I i i. Feel feel feel. Like like like. I i i. Had had had. To to to. Pay pay pay. For for for. This this this.

[@aserehe4349]

Terima kasih sudah memberikan pemahaman yang sangat berguna

[@NiklasRuud]

I’m 100% front 0 back. :/ Can’t get my foot on back brake lol

[@kenertoy58]

Why does there need to be music in the backround? Its distracting

[@bobloblawblaww]

The goal is to go from braking to gas, and I've heard others (Doug Dubach) say that the key is the coast that occurs when you first sit & enter the turn, just before you gas it. A set up process. What are your thoughts on the two methods?

[@TheMxFactory]

The goal is to always reduce coasting time. Either be on the gas or the brake, or a little of both. Now in reality that's very tough to do in every single corner, but having the mindset to do so is key.

[@MargusMoto]

It all looks so darn easy in slo-mo :D

[@dustbustr91]

what is the rattling sounds when braking ????????

[@elitetwan]

can i use the rear break to come to a complete stop while in 3rd or 4rt gear ????

[@mixtips637]

I like do 60%engine braking 40% front any condition

[@theemeraldmoose4037]

You didn't mention what to do if you have a 2 stroke. Like do you still have to pull in the clutch or are you making a separate video.

[@marklowe7431]

Nope you'd be seizing it. Good question.

[@codybear56]

Simple. Get a four stroke..... -jk

[@candacepitts2201]

I have been wanting a dirt bike for 8 years and I'm 12

[@TrialsProgression]

Awesome stuff. Super helpful. Great angles with the top down view and color coordinating the brake and gas sections

[@UrNansToes___]

Love the videos they r great but the intro music just annoys me lmao

[@cgm0826]

Do you pull in clutch while braking?

[@alfonsvoermantrucker]

Stop playing the loud music

[@alemakhoul4899]

So, during the setup, no breaks are engaged?

[@kadencrabb3632]

Uhh. I think you all got it wrong. You stop with your feet or a tree

[@michaldudkiewicz8356]

I engine brake almost all the time it that bad😂?

[@JoshSmeda]

Only on 2 stroke

[@jamesthebond0072]

Omg thank you ive legit never went through any rear back pads because i never use them haha but good video

[@Darco712]

so i should understand from here that i should never brake sitting down?

[@Rodr1guez]

So no clutch when braking?

[@BigSlushi4k]

Yeah my back brakes don’t work

[@Siphodeked201]

Can you drive a ktm 50cc automatic

[@francescospagna5643]

Without clutch what if the rear wheel locks?

[@jaysonarmandovaldez]

Which one do you use when you wanna break

[@gebruikermer]

Sweet video!

[@ryanharris3826]

I’m scared to use my front brake because it will lock up

[@catherinefitzgerald3653]

My dad gave me a handydown 200 Honda. He never told me how to ride it so I've just been guessing what to do. I've been riding it just is circles and figure 8s in my backyard. I just found the back brake. I figured out that my front brake doesn't work on downhills. Dang I feel so stupid🙄

[@lonelyboymad2693]

Thanks for this bro.very helpfull video🙏🙏🙏🙏👌👌👌👌

[@medardsenarlo6594]

My god stop it you giving a very wrong idea

[@truthbetold8425]

Perhaps you could do this drill on a 250 2 stroke? No engine braking, power curve, much more to deal with.

[@lifewithabe312]

Enige breaks? 2t is for real men

[@shad3128]

Really appreciate the videos...was out of riding for over ten years as a kid but getting back into it, all the basic vids helped me a ton.... Squid life... lol

[@ryanbell4952]

Ive just started riding dirt bikes, im use to using the front break for 90% of the time whilst riding sport bikes. 2 days ago i grabbed the front and lost traction, now im sat with a broken wrist

[@Stammerjohan95]

Hey Mx Factory, I recently bought a Honda CR500R 1990. First bike. How do I not die?

[@ashami695]

That looks like engine braking

[@douglassiepman4298]

Hi there tiler your videos are so good

[@LukeMegBiking]

Your guys make the best videos, wishing you the best success

[@omitted_hornet8641]

Wait so the downshift should occur while braking? Or right as Im about to sit? Im not too sure how close to the stall i should step on my shifter...i dont want to just *click* and suddenly have my bike stall lol. Any advice?? and also any vids on Rev matching?? Is that a thing? How do i do that?

[@petergriffin4629]

Not that this is of any importance to any beginner rider, but Mr Jeffrey Herlings brakes in the sand with his front brake as if he rode a street bike. It's really something to behold, his front wheel throws the dirt backwards.

[@haydennaddicrane4825]

Ok I never use my brakes in times