A Southern Cruisers Riding Club Web Site, Chapter 224 Elgin

Official Crest of the SCRC
Chapter 224 Elgin

By: Steve Pruett, Regional Lead Instructor, Harley-Davidson® Rider Services

In discussing emergency stops, the best place to start is well before the emergency presents itself. If you're not utilizing the "SEE" strategy, you're not giving yourself the best chance to avoid the situation altogether.

Briefly:

S is for "Search": Actively scan the area up to 12 seconds ahead of you for potential hazards and developing situations.

E is for "Evaluate": Gather information and anticipate problems. Predict what may go wrong and prepare yourself to react.

E is for "Execute": When the situation requires you to react, adjust your speed, adjust your position, and communicate your intentions when possible.

Stay Cool

So let's assume you're doing everything right. You're searching and scanning the area ahead of you and you see a potentially hazardous situation develop. You evaluate the situation, and decide to cover your brakes, cover the clutch, and maybe even ease off the throttle. But then the unexpected happens, and you decide to execute an emergency stop. Don't panic! Squeeze the front brake lever smoothly and firmly while also pressing on the rear brake pedal. Keep your gaze focused straight ahead, not down at your front wheel or the road directly in front of you. (Always look where you want to go and resist the temptation to look at what you are trying to avoid!) Keep the front wheel pointed straight ahead, and don't forget to pull in the clutch, downshift, and ease off the throttle. Failure to pull in the clutch and downshift will cause the engine to die, which will prevent from making a quick "getaway" if necessary.

Remember, traffic behind you may not be able to stop as quickly as you can and almost certainly is not as alert as you are! (Assuming you're doing everything right, of course.)

So it's important to watch your mirrors and pay attention to what's going on behind you, as well as in front of you. If you stop more quickly than necessary, you may be inviting a rear-end collision. So you may well need to accelerate quickly after you stop.

Also, this may seem trivial, but. . . don't forget to put your foot down! There's a lot going through your brain during an emergency stop, and it's not uncommon for the "emergency" to crowd out even the most basic stuff.

As with any riding technique, practise is the best teacher. Don't wait for an emergency to try out your emergency stopping technique. Find an empty parking lot and try the following:

Practise keeping your head and eyes up while stopping, looking out at the horizon (where you want to go).
Use both brakes simultaneously.
Downshift to first gear while stopping so that you are actually in first gear when stopped.
Use a smooth and progressive squeeze of the front brake lever and a smooth press of the rear brake pedal.

By doing this you'll build up confidence that the bike is not going to pitch you over the handlebars or lock up the front wheel, and that you can stop quickly on your bike. So when (not if) that real world emergency situation presents itself, your instincts will guide you to a safe, fast, effective stop.

IN Summary

Be sure to Search, Evaluate, and Execute.
When appropriate, cover both brakes and the clutch, and ease off the throttle if necessary.
When an emergency stop is called for, don't panic!
Apply both brakes smoothly and firmly.
Pull in the clutch and downshift.
Check what's happening behind you.
Bring your motorcycle to a quick, safe stop.
If necessary, accelerate away from potential additional danger.

It's easy to argue that the ability to stop quickly, safely and effectively in emergency situations is your most important skill as a motorcyclist. In most such situations, bringing your bike to a quick halt in a straight line is your best chance at escaping unharmed with your motorcycle intact.

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