On-line stopping distance calculator (Imperial / Metric)

[Motofool]

http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...?TOPIC_ID=4673

http://www.bikesafer.com/detail/braketime.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braking_distance

Two-second rule for following distance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-second_rule

[Panda]

Thanks Hernan.

On the MSgroup site another one of his case studies puts the PDR/PRT around 1.5 seconds.

Tests have been conducted that document that professional riders who KNOW that a threat is about to present itself (a signal light is about to change colors, for example) CAN have a PDR as low as 0.2 to 0.3 seconds!!! However, those same riders take on average about 1.5 seconds of PDR when a threat is not anticipated (a car ahead suddenly begins skidding its tires). Indeed, about 70% of all motorists take about 1.5 seconds to begin applying their brakes when a threat is NOT anticipated.

http://www.msgroup.org/CASESTUDY1.aspx?num=6

Shows the importance of not tailgating as well as being intimately familiar with your brakes.

[Motofool]

You are welcome

The diagram in my OP was copied form the "Proficient Motorcycling" book, in which the author estimated 0.5 seconds total time (from recognizing a danger to beginning of brake application) for a proficient motorcyclist.

This total reaction time seems to be the main variable among authors, followed by the efficiency of the braking itself (achievable rate of deceleration or G).

All coincide on that both greatly improve with persistent practice in anticipation of dangerous situations and emergency maneuvers.

This morning I had to brake so hard that the oil light turned on.
It was raining much and I had just checked the rear mirror.
Knowing that no car was following and previous practices on wet pavement gave me the confidence to stop on a dime.
If any doubt or hesitation would have been present, I would have wasted precious feet of stopping distance.

[ally99]

Hernan, you are awesome!!
And I highly recommend Proficient Motorcycling for anyone who wants to or is learning to ride. Excellent read!

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Panda

being intimately familiar with your brakes.

Never been said here before.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by ally99

Hernan, you are awesome!!
And I highly recommend Proficient Motorcycling for anyone who wants to or is learning to ride. Excellent read!

So are you, Allyson !!!

Yes, it is an excellent book for street riding.

The book recommends frequent twist roads rides as an effective way to practice conscious counter-steering / quick swerving.
It rates that one as the most effective avoidance maneuver in many cases (braking hard is not always the best choice).

[lgk]

judging from that graph, and most cars braking from 60mph at around 120ft.
most emergency maneuvers over 30mph, should be swerves.

illustrates the importance of escape paths, lane positioning, and swerves.