FZ6 Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

[DefyInertia]

Emergency braking practice...thought I'd set up the camera incase I crashed....session was cut short so this is all I've got.

Not terribly entertaining but the bike sounds good

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRLSTAjsOIY]YouTube - FZ6 Emergency Braking Practice[/ame]

 

[Cali rider]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

Perfect, Nate. I wish every single rider would practice that maneuver at least once a week. It is important to be prepared for the sensation of forward weight transfer and this is how it's done. Thanks for taking the time to document it.

 

[cv_rider]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

That's impressive. After spending an hour practicing this recently, I found it darn hard to stop that quickly.

 

[abacall]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

You know, I can't get the rear more than 1/2" off the ground. But then, I don't know if I ever really need to. Sure, it looks cool, and fun.
I do transfer as much weight to the rear as possible, and do the light-hard-light squeeze (habits from Mt. bike riding). My e-stops are getting super quick and short. I don't think as short as yours though.

Great vid, and thanks for reminding us to practice this drill.

 

[DefyInertia]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

What kind of speeds does everyone practice from? What other methods are used? I want to add a element of surprise but am not sure how to.

You know, I can't get the rear more than 1/2" off the ground. But then, I don't know if I ever really need to. Sure, it looks cool, and fun.
I do transfer as much weight to the rear as possible, and do the light-hard-light squeeze (habits from Mt. bike riding). My e-stops are getting super quick and short. I don't think as short as yours though.

Great vid, and thanks for reminding us to practice this drill.

Why the predefined modulation ? Are you locking up?

I generally position my self with a forward bias because that's my normal riding position. I mix it up though.

My tires were qualifiers.

I've had the rear lift even with a passenger and top case in an emergency so I'm sure tours will lift too.

 

[abacall]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

No, I'm too chicken to get it to lock. The modulation is a habit from Mt. biking. It keeps the front from locking and losing all ability to change direction Same goes for motorcycling.
I practice from 30, 40, 50, then 60. I haven't practiced e-stops from any faster. 60 is pretty damn scary. I have found I have much more control over the bike, and can stop shorter when shifting my weight back.

A coned mini-track would be sweet, have some turns and then a stop gate. Lap it and get faster each time.

 

[Wavex]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

Awesome Nate thanks for the reminder that I need to do that more often!

A coned mini-track would be sweet, have some turns and then a stop gate. Lap it and get faster each time.

Talking to a motorcycle instructor (Jeff, from "Skillz Days Motorcycling Clinics"), he recommended to use tennis balls instead of cones... cut them in half and they're great for parking lot practice (and easier to carry around with you)!

 

[necrotimus]

Do you guys practice (or have you) locking the front and rear wheels? I know several sources recommend at least doing it to know how much force you can apply and so you know how to recover. I have locked the rear wheel twice and it has kept me from practicing it.

 

[DefyInertia]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

No, I'm too chicken to get it to lock. The modulation is a habit from Mt. biking. It keeps the front from locking and losing all ability to change direction. Same goes for motorcycling.

With a warmed tire and proper application fo the front brake, you should go over the handlebars onto your face before the front locks. I've locked my front on the street before by accident...the gut reaction to let off is pretty natural I think.

I modulate as my rear tire lifts or if the front locks (if it's cold and on smooth pavement). I dont' modulate unless I have to. Do you plan on modulating or just do it when it's necessary. I'm just trying to learn...

I practice from 30, 40, 50, then 60. I haven't practiced e-stops from any faster. 60 is pretty damn scary.

I've heard that anything more than 30/40 just adds more danger w/ little or not increased benefit. I'm not sure if I agree with that though.

I have found I have much more control over the bike, and can stop shorter when shifting my weight back.

But is that how you ride normally or just when practicing e-braking?

 

[sm00thpapa]

Not bad but you would fail the MSF for stopping like that. You need to stop quickly and smoothly. Both brakes at the same time and no wheel should be off the ground. Good that you practice though, keep it up.

 

[jtarkany]

Emergency braking practice...thought I'd set up the camera incase I crashed....session was cut short so this is all I've got.

Not terribly entertaining but the bike sounds good

Emergency breaking practice...:shakehead:...it's obvious to all that you are an aspiring :squid:...

 

[Wavex]

Not bad but you would fail the MSF for stopping like that. You need to stop quickly and smoothly. Both brakes at the same time and no wheel should be off the ground. Good that you practice though, keep it up.

I don't think Nate was trying to pass the MSF... he is trying to brake as hard as he can to stop as quickly as possible... in real life, making sure your rear tires stays on the ground during emergency braking is not a priority

 

[sm00thpapa]

I don't think Nate was trying to pass the MSF... he is trying to brake as hard as he can to stop as quickly as possible... in real life, making sure your rear tires stays on the ground during emergency braking is not a priority

I know, but you need to practice to stop as quick as possible with both wheels on the ground. In real life you need to create as much time and space for this not to happen. But I know you can't control that due to other drivers making the mistake. If he is going over 50 MPH and does that he will high side and it could get worse. Do what you learn in MSF stop as quickly as possible with both wheels on the ground. They teach you that for a reason.

 

[DefyInertia]

Not bad but you would fail the MSF for stopping like that. You need to stop quickly and smoothly. Both brakes at the same time and no wheel should be off the ground.

lol :rof:

Emergency breaking practice...:shakehead:...it's obvious to all that you are an aspiring :squid:...

are you challenging me to make a rolling stoppie vid??? haha :thumbup:

 

[abacall]

Re: Video: Vroom, clunk, vroom, clunk

I modulate as my rear tire lifts or if the front locks (if it's cold and on smooth pavement). I dont' modulate unless I have to. Do you plan on modulating or just do it when it's necessary. I'm just trying to learn...

No, just a habit from my other bike. The light-hard-light squeeze is to keep the front from diving too deep into the travel. If you go too far at once you lose the fork's ability to react to surface changes.
If you hit the brakes hard you bottom out the fork (or close to it), then if there are any surface irregularities the already compressed fork will have no other option than to skip over the surface of the bumps. This costs you a good amount of distance.
But, if you squeeze progressively the fork has plenty of travel left to compress and rebound safely and keep the tire planted, keeping constant friction and slowing you down faster.

I've heard that anything more than 30/40 just adds more danger w/ little or not increased benefit. I'm not sure if I agree with that though.

I can see why, but if I'm going 55 and a car decides to make the biker-killer left, I want to know the distance it takes me to stop. If I can't stop in time, I need to look for options.

But is that how you ride normally or just when practicing e-braking?

No, I ride in the natural FZ6 comfortable position. But when I brake, either for a turn or emergency, I shift weight back and grip the tank with my knees. I also sit up straighter to increase wind resistance. It seems to help, even if it's only a mental thing.

 

[Cali rider]

I know, but you need to practice to stop as quick as possible with both wheels on the ground. In real life you need to create as much time and space for this not to happen. But I know you can't control that due to other drivers making the mistake. If he is going over 50 MPH and does that he will high side and it could get worse. Do what you learn in MSF stop as quickly as possible with both wheels on the ground. They teach you that for a reason.

I agree with your point of view, so don't feel that my comments here are inflammatory.

Normal hard braking has no bearing on what is being shown in the video. The exercise that Defy is demonstrating is designed to give a rider a reference point of control and negative G force under extreme braking so he/she is familiar with how the FZ6 responds. I have practiced this technique for many years on different bikes as each one has it's own set of performance and feedback parameters. When you know where the limit lies you will be able to get as close to 100% braking effect as possible without panicking or loosing control. In an emergency you will not think about the mechanics of stopping, you will just STOP!

Again, this is meant to orient the rider with how hard the bike can be pushed during maximum braking, not how to pull a stoppie or react to every emergency event.

 

[The Toecutter]

That was cool man before long you will be a master of your bike!!! I practice just like you do only I don't have a video camera at the moment.I'm trying to master a stopie........ straight back into a wheelie....:rockon::thumbup: (go ahead and call me a :squid: but i'm on my way to total control skills of my bike)

 

[MarinaFazer]

ok, I'll practice...I'll admit I've never practiced except the emergency stop while accelerating after a stoplight... :spank:

 

[Wavex]

I know, but you need to practice to stop as quick as possible with both wheels on the ground. In real life you need to create as much time and space for this not to happen. But I know you can't control that due to other drivers making the mistake. If he is going over 50 MPH and does that he will high side and it could get worse. Do what you learn in MSF stop as quickly as possible with both wheels on the ground. They teach you that for a reason.

I agree one should train to brake without lifting the rear wheel off the ground, but does that mean you should stop there? Why not push it even more and see what happens next?

Learning what your bike will do next is very valuable as well. The MSF is great, but their course focuses on basics... they don't claim that you'll know your bike inside out after their course... Nate's exercise will help you with that. Talk to your MSF instructor and ask them if practicing stoppies is a no no... I am sure they'll say it can only help

FWIW, I pulled a stoppie before my last accident and it most likely saved my life (per the witnesses and cops), as it allowed me to fly over the bike and car, instead of being slammed into the bike/car... I know it doesn't mean much and it cannot be generalized of course, but imo, telling someone they shouldn't practice stoppies because they wouldn't pass the MSF makes no sense.
And for the record, I did not pull the stoppie on purpose, it just happened in that fraction of a second before the accident, and I am glad it did! :thumbup:

 

[sm00thpapa]

I agree one should train to brake without lifting the rear wheel off the ground, but does that mean you should stop there? Why not push it even more and see what happens next?

Learning what your bike will do next is very valuable as well. The MSF is great, but their course focuses on basics... they don't claim that you'll know your bike inside out after their course... Nate's exercise will help you with that. Talk to your MSF instructor and ask them if practicing stoppies is a no no... I am sure they'll say it can only help

FWIW, I pulled a stoppie before my last accident and it most likely saved my life (per the witnesses and cops), as it allowed me to fly over the bike and car, instead of being slammed into the bike/car... I know it doesn't mean much and it cannot be generalized of course, but imo, telling someone they shouldn't practice stoppies because they wouldn't pass the MSF makes no sense.
And for the record, I did not pull the stoppie on purpose, it just happened in that fraction of a second before the accident, and I am glad it did! :thumbup:

Good post man. I wasn't telling him to stop practicing that. But don't label the video how to quick stop. Cause new riders will see that and think that is the only way to do it. There are a lot of different techniques to quick stopping and differ from bike to bike. I am a new rider and trying to learn different techniques and this was a very informative video. Ride safely my friend.