Brakes are just one of the few controls that you must learn to become a skilled dirt bike rider. They are simple enough, but what makes them so important to learn?
In this article you'll learn how to efficiently use the brakes on your dirt bike to stop faster, as well as ride safer to help prevent accidents.
Why Are Using The Brakes So Important?
In order to go fast, you must be able to stop. At least if you don't want to crash.
Braking quicker means you can brake later, which is best when you're racing.
However, when it comes to safety and riding, learning how to use your brakes efficiently can prevent some serious accidents - have you ever blown a turn on the trail because you were going faster than your skill could handle? I don't want you to hit a tree or fall down a cliff because you can't stop quickly and safely!
Having a quick reaction and slowing down quickly are good skills to have. You never know when an unexpected deer, cow, or human will surprise you by walking out on the trail.
How Do You Stop On A Dirt Bike Without Stalling?
To properly stop on a dirt bike with a clutch, you need to learn how to use the brake and clutch simultaneously.
Coming to a stop, you must pull in the clutch before the engine RPM drops too low. If you still have the bike in gear and come to a stop without pulling in (disengaging) the clutch, the engine will stall.
Learning To Balance
Balance is key to riding a dirt bike. It's easy to tip over at low speeds or come to a stop if you haven't practiced your balance.
How to practice this:
Ride as slow as possible without putting a foot down or stalling. You can also stand on the foot pegs and balance the bike for as long as possible with the engine off.
How To Stop Faster
When you want to stop fast on your dirt bike, you need to shift your weight towards the rear. Clamping down on the brakes will compress the front suspension a lot, making the bike greatly unbalanced and not handle as well.
Keeping your weight back will help balance out the bike.
This is especially important when you're riding downhill to prevent an endo and going over the handlebars.
Using Both Front & Rear
75-80% of your braking power comes from the front brake. With that said, that means there's still 20-25% more stopping power!
To stop as fast as possible, the goal is to find the point just before your tires start locking up because you're applying too much brake.
Not All Dirt Is Equal
Every type of terrain is going to be different, so you must also learn to adapt. For example:
Applying the same amount of braking power, which will be easier to lock up the wheels and skid the tires? Greasy mud or tacky dirt?
The greasy mud will be much easier to lock up the tires because the tires have very little traction. This means that you can't use the brakes as hard as you would in dirt that's dry and tacky.
Dirt Bike Training To Be A Better & Safer Rider
Want to learn more about the basic techniques of riding a dirt bike? Learn how to confidently use the clutch, throttle, brakes, and balance by using my online training here.