How should I practice hard braking?

[kawashima]

My previous bike was W650, it had really poor front brake, so I could pull the lever as hard as possible, even then front tyre didn't lock.
Now my TDM has powerful front brake, and I'm afraid of pulling the lever hard because tyre will lock at some point.
But I'm not sure if I can release the lever when the tyre locked.
(I should have bought ABS model)
Is there any tips for practicing hard braking?
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Handsome]

Progression...

Find a nice quiet car park or trading estate road, somewhere out the way where you're not liable to hit anything or have anything hit you...

Start at 10 mph and brake gradually to a stop...

Keep going up in 10mph increases whilst increasing the amount of braking power you apply, if you've got the time, practise with only the front, then only the rear, then both, but take your time and take it steady...This of course is in a straight line, I'm assuming you know not to use the front brake when going through/round a corner...

If you want ' real world ' experience, follow a van...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[kawashima]

Especially on wet condition, I'm not good at knowing how hard I can pull the lever. How do you know that?
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[kawashima]

[Handsome]

If it's wet I'd suggest using the rear more than the front, and don't stab at the brake, the only way you'll get the hang of it is to practise as that's the only way you'll get the feel of it...

Like I say, it's progression, apply the brake/s until you slow or stop safely, if at any time you feel the bike doing something it shouldn't, slide/lurch/lunge for instance, then back off slightly until the tyres regain their grip, then calmly start to apply the pressure again...

It's all about practise, and when you get the practise you learn to ' feel ' what the bike will do and explore the amount of grip the tyres will give...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Feasty]

I doubt I do it the technical 'right' way to brake but I always use the rear brake first and the front 2nd. So on general braking I normally only use the rear brake or both at the same time but always more so with the rear when using both.
In an emergency situation (I've had 1 or 2!) hard on both front and rear brakes but always slightly harder on the rear till it locks up - in a straight line this is easy to handle anyway, whereas lock up the front and you've more than likely had it.

I've never been in a situation where I've locked the front wheel, I've always found my method above works a treat. Generally you can always tell when you're close to locking the front... just don't go any further!
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[kawashima]

Thanks. I do some braking practice at quiet road little by little. Not at high speed from the start.
And at wet condition, I try to use rear brake more. That is I should avoid the situation that I must use front brake hard.
____________________
own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Handsome]

[kawashima]

[Handsome]

Oh, and when you're practising, try not to brake on painted lines and manhole covers, you're looking to get experience without stuffing the bike on practise sessions, you may have to encounter the above in a real situation but having gotten practise in you should have some feel of what the bike will do and be capable of and deal with it...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[Handsome]

[Feasty]

[kawashima]

[Handsome]

Kawashima...

Imagine your bike is a woman, and the brakes are her tits, if you grab aload of either you're liable to get a punch in the face ( this is bad, not always, but that's another subject )...Where as if you gradually apply the pressure at the right time and at the right amount then she'll behave exactly how you want her to and you'll be able to account for the following reaction...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[kawashima]

I imagine the tits image to do a progressive braking. That's really nice expression for image training. Thanks
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Handsome]

You're welcome...

Just remember, Firm and Smooth, NOT, Hard and Rough...
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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[johnsmith222]

[Handsome]

[dodger]

i) Wait until the weather is warmer to practice.

ii) Don't use all 4 fingers. Practice with 1, 2 or 3 fingers, stick with it until you get comfortable [it will feel odd at first]. Makes it much less likely to grab a handful and lock up.

Personally I like using my last 3 fingers an forming an 'O' with with thumb and index finger around the grip but if you look at someone like Casey Stoner he uses one finger to brake...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[kawashima]

Thanks for your helpful responses
____________________
own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)