As an avid learner, I find myself observing other riders on the road quite a bit – their lane positioning, how defensively they drive, which foot they put down at a stop, whether or not they stop in neutral or first.
But by far, I am always looking to see how smooth the rider is – not only during the turns but also during their stops and takeoffs. Are they weaving on takeoff? Do I see their suspension dipping and rising dramatically? Do I hear those awesome notes of a downshift as they rev-match into each gear?
Ask any rider with some mileage under their belt and they will tell you that riding a motorcycle fast in a straight line is the easy part, it’s when things slow down that you really see how honed a rider’s skills are.
But how do you get good at those slow-speed skills? How can you master your stops and takeoffs so you look like a pro?
In this article, I will give you some tips on how I mastered my stops and takeoffs, as well as some of the nuances I learned along the way.
How to Stop Smoothly on a Motorcycle
Being able to stop is one of the most important skills you can hone on your motorcycle. By learning to stop smoothly, you also learn how to stop effectively. Here is how you do it:
- Check Your Mirrors – Anytime you plan to slow down, always check behind you to make sure any cars or riders behind you are aware. This is even more vital when you are slowing down fast.
- Make Sure the Motorcycle and Handlebars are Straight – The motorcycle stops faster and is most controlled when the handlebars are straight. When you brake with the handlebars turned, you run the risk of tucking the front end. Other than braking during a turn, you always want to keep your handlebars straight when you are braking.
- Smoothly Roll Off the Throttle – Gradually close the throttle to start reducing your speed. Feel the engine braking so you can more easily time it with your upcoming brake pressure and downshifts. This is where you begin to improve how smoothly you come to a stop.
- Start to Apply Both Front and Rear Brakes – Use both brakes simultaneously for a controlled and balanced stop. Although the front brake slows you down the most, using both front and rear brakes in conjunction will allow you to slow down even faster.
- Champschool says that “a motorcycle tire can handle a tremendous load but not an abrupt load”. They then detail how the first 10% of the initial braking pressure should be applied in 1% increments until the suspension and tire are loaded. Once the suspension and tire are loaded, you can add a lot of braking pressure.
- Pull In the Clutch and Downshift One Gear at a Time – As you slow down, make sure you pull in the clutch and downshift through each gear. This helps load the transmission and prepare it for the change in wheel speed, allowing for slow and controlled engine braking. It may be tempting to bang down through multiple gears but it is a terrible habit for new riders to pick up and is usually reserved for more advanced riding.
- Use Throttle to Match Engine and Wheel Speed – As you slow down and downshift, prepare to add throttle before letting out the clutch for the next gear. This allows the engine to match the wheel speed. You can even learn to “blip” the throttle for an even smoother deceleration.
- Release the Clutch Slowly Between Downshifts – Releasing the clutch during downshifts will allow the motorcycle to engine brake – which helps you slow down even faster. By releasing the clutch slowly, you allow the engine to match the wheel speed more smoothly, preventing those forward jerking motions as you let the clutch out.
- Downshift Until You Reach Second – As you near the stop, continue downshifting until you reach 2nd gear. Many motorcycles have a “tall” first gear where downshifting into them can cause a little bit of jerkiness. For that reason, I usually recommend that you switch in first once you are already almost stopped. Of course, if you are braking in an emergency situation, don’t worry about downshifting and just focus on braking with the front and rear brakes.
- Pull In the Clutch Completely and Select First Gear – As you are coming to a stop, pull the clutch in and shift to first. You will then keep the clutch fully depressed until, as this allows you takeoff quickly in an emergency. This is where you will start to trail off the brake in the final step.
- Slowly Trail Off Brake Pressure as You Stop – Having done all the other steps, the secret to stopping smoothly is all in the final 5% of braking pressure. By now, the motorcycle has all but stopped and you can slowly release pressure in 1% increments. This should allow the motorcycle to stop without the suspension depressing and “bouncing” back up. You ca also start to transfer the braking load to the rear brake. Of course, if you are braking in an emergency, you will keep full pressure until you stop, regardless of the suspension.
- Keep Pressure on the Rear Brake – By keeping pressure on the rear brake, you are allowing your brake light to stay on as a signal for anyone coming up behind you. Applying the rear brake at a stop instead of the front will help prevent “tucking” if you end up getting rear-ended.
How to Practice Stopping Smoothly
Now that you know the process for stopping smoothly, it’s time to put it into practice. And this is actually the fun part due to how easy it really is and how much you benefit from practicing it.
Master Downshifting – The first step is to master something you’re already doing – downshifting. Find an empty parking lot or road and get up to at least 3rd gear. Now, practice the downshifting steps listed in this article. Play with downshifting at different speeds and RPM’s. Pay attention to how the motorcycle sounds and feels. You will eventually get a sense of how much throttle you need, to smoothly release the clutch on downshifts. From there, it’s just mastering it as you get smoother and smoother. And while you’re at it, see if you can practice rev-matching.
Do Braking Drills – Seriously. If you want to feel like you’re driving a different motorcycle, go do some braking drills on it. The motorcycle you ride home will feel completely different than the bike you rode to practice. When you practice braking drills, especially if you practice that initial and final 10% brake pressure, you will feel a new level of confidence in your braking ability. And you will learn just how much braking pressure your bike and tires can take.
Practice Initial and Final 5% of Braking Force Infinitely – The final step is one I stole from ChampSchool’s online course. And that is to constantly practice the initial 5% braking and the final 5% braking, If my motorcycle suspension lurches forward when I start to apply front brake, I know I am applying it way too abruptly. And when I come to a complete stop, I trail off that 5% percent to prevent my suspension from “bouncing”. This is something I practice everytime I stop and you should too. The finite control you learn from that 5% brake pressure will help you learn the finite control you need to operate a motorcycle smoothly all around – not just when braking.
How to Takeoff Smoothly on a Motorcycle
Now that you know how to stop smoothly, what about taking off? Luckily the process for taking off smoothly is even easier than braking. Because a motorcycle in motion “wants” to stay upright.
- Make Sure the Motorcycle and Handlebars are Straight – Just like braking, making sure the handlebars are straight is essential to maintaining controls during takeoff. Not only will it keep things predictable, the bike balances better, making it easier for you to keep balance.
- Find the Friction Zone – The secret to all slow speed skills in keeping the motorcycle in the friction zone. This is the point where the clutch begins to engage with the engine and you can feel the motorcycle want to go. This is especially important if you want to get smooth on takeoffs, as the motorcycle balances best in the friction zone. If you want to have a smooth and straight takeoff, become very familiar with your motorcycle friction zone. That’s really all it takes.
- Apply Steady and Gradual Throttle – Another secret to taking off smoothly is to apply a gradual but steady throttle. Just like braking, your inputs on the throttle should be controlled and gradual at takeoff. If you apply too much throttle at once, it can create an unpredictable response as you let go of the clutch. In the same sense, if you apply too little throttle or let off too much, you can stall the bike. By keeping a gradual but steady throttle, your motorcycle will take off in a more smooth and controlled manner as you begin to release the clutch and apply more throttle.
- Gradually Release the Clutch – Just as you gradually add throttle, you must also gradually release the clutch. The clutch is what allows the motorcycle to receive those inputs from the throttle. As you slowly let go of the clutch, you will start to feel the “bite point” where the engine engages and starts to propel you forward. If you dump the clutch too fast, you run the risk of stalling the bike – or worse if you have a fist full of throttle in the other hand. If you release it too slowly, you really only run the risk of burning up your clutch – and looking like a goof. The secret is to become familiar with the balance between the throttle and clutch. Once you have this down pat, you can easily find the friction zone, and keep flawless balance at even the slowest speeds.
- Stay Balanced and Relaxed – By this time you should be moving, and if you found the friction zone, the rest is easy – just stay relaxed and look ahead where you want to go. You should be feeling the point where the clutch disengages completely and you can continue adding throttle.
As I mentioned at the start, once your motorcycle starts moving, it’s going to want to stay upright. You can use this to your advantage as you begin to apply throttle and release the clutch.
Taking Off on a Hill
Taking off on a hill requires all of the same steps but this time you keep your right foot on the back brake to keep you from rolling backwards. As you release the clutch and apply throttle, you will feel the motorcycle want to pull and you can slowly start to release rear brake pressure.
Just remember to keep a steady throttle and don’t panic if it takes some finesse. You can always reapply rear brake pressure and pull in the clutch to reset yourself. toadstool
I think I’ll still add some steps for good measure, just remember to check out the steps above for more detail. The real difference here is that you have to learn a little finesse with the rear brake.
- Make Sure the Motorcycle and Handlebars are Straight – Make sure your motorcycle is stable and the handlebars are straight.
- Hold the Rear Brake – The secret to starting on a hill is to hold the back brake until you feel the motorcycle wanting to pull you forward. This will prevent you from rolling backward.
- Apply Steady and Gradual Throttle – As you feel the friction point, gently apply some throttle. You’ll need a bit more power than usual to overcome the incline.
- Release the Rear Brake – As you apply throttle and the clutch reaches the friction point, carefully release the rear brake. The bike should remain stationary due to the engine’s power against the incline
- Release the Clutch Gradually and Increase Throttle – Slowly release the clutch the rest of the way while smoothly increasing the throttle. The bike will start to move forward.
- Stay Balanced and Controlled – As the motorcycle moves, focus on balancing and steering. Look ahead to where you want to go and maintain a steady throttle.
How to Practice Taking Off Smoothly on a Motorcycle
The process for taking off smoothly is relatively simple but you can easily practice a few things to really hone those skills and make your takeoffs that much smoother.
Slow Speed Drills to Help You Master the Friction Zone – While you’re doing those braking drills, go ahead and practice some slow speed maneuvers like figure 8’s and turning from a stop. The friction zone and rear brake are the secret to mastering these maneuvers and you would be surprised how much the skills translate to smooth takeoffs.
Practice No-Throttle Takeoffs – No matter how small the cc, most motorcycles can take off without any throttle using the clutch only. The secret is to let off the clutch so gradually that the motorcycle doesn’t stall. Find an empty street or parking lot one day and see if you can get your motorcycle moving just by slowly releasing the clutch with no throttle at all. By the time you figure it out, you will have a better understanding of the friction zone and an insane control of the throttle.
Common Questions
Is it bad to hold the clutch while braking?
It’s not inherently bad to hold the clutch while braking, as it can be part of normal riding. However, it’s important to use the clutch correctly to avoid unnecessary wear and to ensure you’re learning the right habits. Holding in the clutch prevents the motorcycle from engine braking and can even make the bike feel more unsettled during braking. By allowing and adjusting to the motorcycle’s engine braking, you actually become a safer and better rider.
Which foot to put down when stopping a motorcycle?
Generally, you should put your left foot down when stopping a motorcycle. This allows you to keep your right foot on the brake for stability and control. However, in some situations, you may need to put both feet down.
Do you hold the clutch while stopping the motorcycle?
Yes, you should hold the clutch when stopping the motorcycle to prevent stalling. As you brake and come to a stop, pull in the clutch and downshift to first gear so you’re ready to move off again.
Can I stop my motorcycle in second or third gear?
While it’s possible to stop in second or third gear, it’s not recommended. You should downshift to first gear as you stop. This ensures that you’re ready to take off again without stalling or struggling to find the right gear.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of stopping and taking off on a motorcycle is essential for a safe and enjoyable riding experience. While it may seem challenging at first, remember that practice is key to building confidence and skill. Always prioritize safety, and don’t hesitate to practice these techniques until they become second nature. Keep riding and stay safe!