How to Brake on a Motorcycle

Braking on a motorcycle is very different from braking in a car. In a car, you press one pedal and the car works out the rest. On a motorcycle, you control front and rear brakes separately, with different hands and feet, and the way you use them affects balance, grip and stability. Many new riders under-use the front brake out of fear, which makes their stopping distances far longer than they need to be. Good braking technique is one of the most important safety skills a rider can learn.

I ride touring bikes and take part in amateur track days, where braking is practised constantly. Here is how to brake well on a motorcycle.

Why the front brake does most of the work

When a motorcycle slows down, weight shifts forward onto the front wheel. The front tyre gets pressed harder into the road and gains grip, while the rear tyre gets lighter and loses grip. That is why the front brake provides most of the stopping power, often around 70 percent or more in hard braking on a typical road bike.

The rear brake still matters. It helps stabilise the bike, especially at low speed, and contributes to overall stopping. But relying mainly on the rear brake makes stopping distances much longer and the rear wheel more likely to lock and skid.

Squeeze, do not grab

The most important technique with the front brake is progressive application. Squeeze the lever smoothly, building pressure over a fraction of a second, rather than grabbing it. This lets the weight transfer to the front tyre before maximum force is applied, so the tyre has the grip to handle it.

Use two to four fingers on the lever, depending on the bike and your comfort. Many riders cover the front brake with two fingers in traffic so they can react quickly.

Using both brakes together

In normal riding, use both brakes together: a smooth squeeze of the front with gentle pressure on the rear pedal. As the bike slows and weight moves forward, the rear needs less pressure. At very low speeds, such as in car parks or tight turns, the rear brake becomes more useful for control, because the front brake can make the bike dive and feel unstable at walking pace.

ABS and linked brakes

Most new motorcycles now have anti-lock braking systems (ABS), which prevent the wheels from locking under hard braking. ABS is a major safety improvement, and research has linked it to substantial reductions in serious crashes. Some bikes also have linked brakes, where one control applies both brakes, and cornering ABS that works even when the bike is leaned over.

ABS does not shorten stopping distances on every surface, and it does not replace good technique. It is a safety net for mistakes and surprises.

Braking in a straight line

The safest place to brake hard is in a straight line, with the bike upright. Braking while leaned over in a corner uses grip that the tyre needs for cornering, and can cause the bike to stand up or slide. Plan your speed for corners and do most of your braking before you turn in, then ride through the corner with a steady or slightly opening throttle.

Is the rear brake for beginners only?

Some riders, especially those with sporty or track experience, say the rear brake is nearly useless and only beginners rely on it. On a sports bike braking very hard on a track, the rear wheel may be almost off the ground, so they have a point there. But I think applying that view to everyday road riding is a mistake.

On the road, the rear brake helps with stability, slow speed control, wet surfaces and riding with a passenger or luggage, when more weight sits over the rear wheel. Touring riders with heavy loads rely on it more than sport riders do. Good riders use both brakes, adjusting the balance to the situation.

Braking in the wet and on poor surfaces

On wet roads, grip is reduced, so brake earlier and more gently. Avoid painted lines, manhole covers and metal plates, which are slippery when wet. Gravel, leaves and diesel spills can dramatically reduce grip. Look ahead and brake smoothly before you reach poor surfaces rather than on them.

Practise emergency stops

An emergency stop is not the time to learn. Practise in a safe, empty space: build up to moderate speed, then brake progressively harder using both brakes, keeping the bike upright and your eyes up. Many rider training courses include braking exercises, and track days or advanced courses offer more. Combining braking with smooth downshifts, explained in how to start and shift a motorcycle, makes stops calmer and more controlled.

A braking checklist

Cover the front brake in traffic and hazardous areas.
Squeeze the front brake progressively, never grab.
Use the rear brake to stabilise and at low speed.
Brake in a straight line before corners.
Brake earlier and gentler on wet or poor surfaces.
Practise emergency stops regularly.

Confidence comes from practice

Good braking is about understanding how the bike behaves and practising until the right response is automatic. Riders who brake confidently ride more safely and enjoy the road more. More in our Motorcycles section.