Keep These Braking Tips In Mind To Avoid A New Haven Motorcycle Accident

When you hop on your motorcycle to go for a ride you may be thinking about the thrill of accelerating through the streets of the Elm City to really experience the joys of riding. However, if you’re only thinking about accelerating you may wind up in a situation where you’re experiencing a greater risk of getting into a New Haven motorcycle accident then the joys of riding. It is for this reason that you should think both about acceleration, but also braking and how you can take this simple task and hone your abilities to brake correctly to keep yourself safe.

In the time since you’ve learned how to ride your motorcycle there have been technological advances that can help you brake safely, but the vast majority of the skills you learned are still just as relevant today as they have been the whole time you are riding. Even if your bike doesn’t come equipped with an anti-lock braking system or other fancy bells and whistles, you have the important tools necessary to make sure you are riding safely through the streets of New Haven. If you are in a situation where braking is necessary you can put these tools to the test in keeping yourself and others on the road out of harm’s way.

Here are the basics you need to remember when thinking about braking on a motorcycle. If you stick with these basics you will be putting yourself in a good position to maintain your safety and avoid any sort of accident.

1.) Keep it smooth. Avoid any jerky, sudden braking that could put you at risk of skidding or sliding. When you are braking you will want to apply gradual pressure on both the front and the rear brakes which will give you the best power to stop smoothly and not lock up the wheels. If you are jerky or sudden with your braking you will be less predictable to vehicles around you that you are sharing the road with and you will also have less control of your vehicle as you try to come to a stop. Staying smooth with your braking will mean you’ll need to be focused on the road ahead of you so you can avoid any sudden stops that come up unexpectedly.

2.) Use the front braking power to your advantage, but be careful because it could also be to your detriment. Most of the power in your braking system comes from the front brakes which can help you come to a complete and smooth stop when applied appropriately. Be cautious not to apply them too suddenly because then you may end up locking up the front brakes which could lead to toppling over the handlebars of your motorcycle and a serious incident.

3.) Weight distribution plays a large part in your ability to brake effectively when riding your motorcycle. Maintain the proper body position during braking so your weight does not shift unexpectedly and cause your vehicle to perform erratically. In particular, you will want to avoid shifting your weight forward because this can lead to a loss of traction and make it so that your brakes become ineffective to stopping your vehicle.

If you take these braking techniques into account when you’re riding your motorcycle you should be putting yourself in the best possible situation to remain safe. However, when weather conditions change you may need to adjust how you brake. For instance, on wet surfaces you will want to reduce the force with which you apply your brakes so you can avoid wheel slippage. You will also want to increase your following distance so you have a longer time to stop and will not hit your brakes in any sudden way which could lead to a New Haven motorcycle accident if you’re not careful.

When an injury happens as the result of an accident you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience with a situation like the one you’ve been involved in. Our incredibly experienced team can work with you to understand your situation and protect your long-term interests.