Panic Stops

[metallimonster]

I searched and couldn't find much on this subject.  I feel that I am getting better as a rider but this is one area I need help/to work on.  I had to do a panic stop yesterday at probably 50mph.  I've noticed that everytime I have to do one (not very often) the rear end starts to go sideways on me.  I believe this is because I am putting to much pressure on the rear brake and not enough on the front.  I got through it okay because I didn't panic more and rode it through.   Anyone got some tips to help and maybe some ways to safely practice panic stops?  What is the best way to correct the rear end from going out on me during one?

[Cider]

What is the best way to correct the rear end from going out on me during one?

Use less rear brake!

Seriously, though, keep practicing squeezing on the front brake.  The faster you jump on the front brake, the more likely the rear will come up.  You can also adjust the rear brake lever so it requires more movement to lock up, but if you are braking hard on the front, the rear will be barely touching the ground anyhow.

[ScottRNelson]

When you make a hard stop, you need to squeeze the front lever so that it takes about a second to get to maximum stopping power.  That prevents the sudden forces on the forks that can bottom the suspension and doesn't jerk the rear wheel off of the ground so quickly.

On just about any Ducati, you're probably better off not using the rear brake at all in a hard stop.  It is difficult to keep from using too much rear brake in a panic situation, and the front will be giving you about 95% of the stopping power anyway.

The best thing you can do is go practice.  Make a dozen stops from 30 mph and mark where you start braking and where the bike stops.  Keep track of how you're improving or what goes wrong.  Do it with and without the rear brake.  At that speed, if you accidentally lock up the rear, you can keep it locked until you stop without getting too sideways.

Once you think you understand how to make a quick stop from 30, try it again a 50, then at 70.  It can be quite informative to measure your best stop from 70 mph and see how much further you'll go by making just one tiny mistake.  I think I need to go make a few practice stops myself now.

[mihama01]

When you make a hard stop, you need to squeeze the front lever so that it takes about a second to get to maximum stopping power.

+1 on this, I am a bit quicker maybe half a second  but the key is not to just GRAB the front brake. You also run the risk of locking up the front if you do it too quick.

A good way to practice is to compete with a friend as to who can stop in the shortest distance, from a constant speed, brake as you pass a traffic cone or other object. This introduces the other important aspect of panic breaking; reaction times.

They did that in training for me. Don't do it on the public road and wear appropriate protective clothing of course.

[Ducatista]

Your best friend in a panic stop is making sure that you bleed your brakes every 12 months.  Other than that, it's just practice, practice, practice.  If you do feel the rear stepping out on you, make sure you keep it locked up.  If you unlock it you risk a highside (rear of bike wants to pass front of bike in a hurry).  Try to get used to squeeeezing the rear brake instead of standing on it.  I only use the rear brake in panic stops on the street, but every once in awhile, I'll do a practice squeeze in a non-panic situation.

[DY]

Don't swerve or apply pressure on any one side of the handlebars.  After practicing panic stops in the rain(yea i was feeling brave) and getting pretty good at them, I felt that I had it down.  I ended up learning the hard way.  On a wet surface.  You'd be surprised at how little force applied will cause you to lowside when surface traction is poor.

[hypurone]

If you find the rear brake too sensitive/powerful, as a lot of bikes are. You can change the pads to a diff compound to lessen the sensitivty and reduce the amount of power to the rear brake. The RS is the first bike I have had where the rear brakes' power is not gnarly.  You seem to be focused on the front brake, which is good, and a less poweful rear brake would help minimize and maintain control of impending wheel lockup.

Works for me, YMMV.

[ScottRNelson]

If you find the rear brake too sensitive/powerful, as a lot of bikes are. You can change the pads to a diff compound to lessen the sensitivty and reduce the amount of power to the rear brake.

If you find your rear brake too sensitive or powerful, you must not be riding a Ducati.

None of mine have ever had a strong rear brake, and I'm happy with that.

[Jetbrett]

The first of two bad situations I found myself in today involved a panic stop from 72 mph.  A truck swerved across three lanes of traffic to cut right in front of me and then slammed on the brakes to exit into the median.   

I've found that I can stop much, much faster using both the front and rear brake.  I was able to stop by avoiding the temptation to grab at the brake.  Instead, I progressively increased pressure on both the front and rear and maintained pressure until I felt the bike begin to shudder (which I took as a warning sign that I was on the edge of control).  By using both and using progressive pressure, I was able to stop in a surprisingly short distance.