Quick Stops at Intersections

Published by: 2Wheeltips on 21st Sep 2009 | View all blogs by 2Wheeltips

As your riding skills improve you will notice that a motorcycle can stop very very quickly. Making quick stops is a skill every rider should have but it does pose a unique problem at intersections.

Since a motorcycle can stop quicker than a car or truck, making a quick stop for yellow lights when traffic is close behind you can cause a serious accident. Since a car or truck can not stop as fast, you run the risk of getting rammed from behind.

In instances where traffic is close behind, it may be best to accelerate through the light as it turns red to avoid an accident.

Comments

7 Comments

by Matt 2 years ago

I always try to think about my "escape route". If I am stopping for a yellow light, hazards in front of me become less of a threat. I concentrate more on vehicles making last minute lane changes and the traffic behind me. I keep the bike in gear at the stop. In an emergency I can pull onto the shoulder or make a right turn. Motorcycles can stop and accelerate faster that most vehicles. This should be used to our advantage in avoiding accidents.
by mrlmd 2 years ago

A good reminder - You have to use those rear view mirrors often, to be aware of what's happening behind as well as in front of you.
by 2Wheeltips 2 years ago

Agreed!!

"Distracted drivers" are the new hazard. Seems like everyone is playing with a cellphone or a mp3 player while driving. It's bad enough that drivers don't see us when they are paying attention to the road.

You have to pay more attention and think ahead just like Matt suggested.
by 0.25 Blind Bill 2 years ago

FWIW, from "squidbusters.com" - Do you think you can outbrake that car in front of you?

These figures represent the top 10 shortest 60-0 stopping distances tested by Motorcycle Consumer News (Dec. 2003 issue).

1. 1999 Triumph Speed Triple 106.7'
2. 1997 Suzuki Marauder 800 107.6
3. 1997 Yamaha YZF600R 108.2
4. 1998 Ducati 750 Monster 109.1
5. 1998 Suzuki TL1000S 109.4
6. 2002 Honda VTX 1800 109.5
7. 2002 Harley V-Rod 109.5
8. 1998 Buell M2 Cyclone 109.6
9. 2003 Triumph Speed 4 109.7
10. 2002 Ducati Monster S4 109.8

Yes, your bike is probably WORSE.

Here are some car numbers from places like MotorTrend, AutoWeek, etc.

2002-2004 Honda Civic Si 60-0 128'
2003 Tiburon GT 122'
2003 RSX-S 133'
2003 Celica GTS 129'
2000 Ford Explorer 2-Door 134'
2003 Honda Pilot 131.08'
1999 Chevy Cavalier 4 door 139'
2004 GTO 120'

Now while the randomly selected cars above have slightly worse stopping distance than the bikes, consider that these bikes are the TOP TEN tested by MCN, ridden on closed courses, with great pavement and the riders KNEW they were trying to get best stopping distances.

Consider how long it would take you to stop after noticing red tail lights, if your fingers weren't on the brakes. Now what if you were not the recommended 2 seconds back?

Don't think you can out brake the car in front of you, because in an emergency situation, you can't. Thinking you can will get you into trouble real quick.
by 0.25 Blind Bill 2 years ago

that didn't work as well as I had hoped :(
by mrlmd 2 years ago

Don't forget to add in the reaction time and distance traveled before the brakes are actually applied, and applied right, so as to not lock up a wheel and skid. The stopping distance from seeing a brake light ahead in reality is probably 50-100% longer than that posted here.
by 2Wheeltips 2 years ago

good points mrlmd. One other item to throw in the mix.....bikes with Anti-lock brakes (ABS). When the test was performed (2003), not many bikes had an ABS option. Now you are seeing ABS on more bikes.

My '07 Yamaha FJR1300 has linked ABS braking and when ABS kicks in, the bike comes to a very very quick stop. I'm wondering if any articles have been done on ABS vs. non-ABS.

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