DKT- Emergency braking is the most important control skill for avoiding a crash, and it takes lots of practice.
- Upright and straight, close the throttle, front brake first (four fingers on the lever), then rear.
- Pull in the clutch just before you stop.
- If a wheel locks, release that brake and re-apply it at once, a little less firmly.
What is an emergency?
An emergency is when something goes wrong on the road. If you are ready, you will not necessarily crash. The keys are anticipation and practice: anticipation grows with time, and you should practise somewhere quiet with no traffic.
The quickest way to stop
- Make sure the bike is upright and moving in a straight line.
- Close the throttle.
- Apply the front brake first, using four fingers on the lever, then the rear brake.
- Pull in the clutch just before you stop.
Avoid locking the wheels: you are likely to crash if you do. If a wheel locks and slides, release that brake and apply it again immediately but not quite so hard.
ABS
If you plan to buy a bike for the road, the handbook recommends one with an anti-lock braking system. ABS stops the wheels locking, but ride as if it were not there: it is meant to step in only in extreme circumstances.
Braking in a curve
Finish braking before you lean if you can. If not, either brake as normal but more gently (the bike may want to stand up and go straight, and you will not stop quickly), or stand it upright and brake as in a normal emergency stop, which takes you off your line. More in cornering and curves.
Skids
A skid can start very fast and be extremely dangerous. The most common cause is locking one or both wheels while braking.
| Skid | What to do |
|---|---|
| Front wheel | Usually from braking too sharply or quickly. Release the front brake, then re-apply it more gently. |
| Rear wheel (from acceleration) | Ease off the throttle. |
| Rear wheel (from braking) | Steer into the direction of the skid, and release the rear brake when the bike is travelling straight again. |
In any skid, keep your feet on the footpegs. It gives you far better control than putting them down. Related: grip and road surfaces.
Based on The Victorian Rider Handbook (2023, Department of Transport and Planning) and the VicRoads motorcycle pages. This guide covers Victoria: other states and territories have different rules, and rules change from time to time, so check vicroads.vic.gov.au for the latest.
Quick answers
Which brake do you use first to stop a motorcycle quickly?
Upright and in a straight line, close the throttle and apply the front brake first, then the rear, pulling in the clutch just before you stop.
What should I do if my motorcycle skids?
Keep your feet on the footpegs. For a front skid release and re-apply the front brake more gently. For a rear skid from braking, steer into it and release the rear brake once straight.