Emergency braking

You can be prepared for all sorts of hazards on your motorcycle, in the country or in the city. But there will be times when you will need to call upon your hard braking skills, like where a car suddenly pulls out in front of you. The best emergency measure is to always scan and be prepared (like in KickStart’s “Rider’s Mindset”). But some things you just can’t avoid.

It’s important to practice your emergency stops, as in panic situations, your immediate actions follow habits. And if your experience in emergency braking is minimal, you are likely to make a mistake by snatching the brake too hard and skidding the tyres, for example. Practice your emergency stops whenever you can in a controlled environment. The RTA MOST test has details on this emergency stop.

Making the stop

Preparing to make an emergency stop is just as important as making one. For example, you are approaching a busy intersection where you notice a car in the opposite direction is nudging forward to cross the lane in front of you. As a precaution, you shift down a gear, squeeze lightly on the front brake and get ready for a stop.

For Learner motorcycle riders, there is no substitute for your own practice and the right professional training.