Quote:

I am a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( a UK course which takes approx 7 months to complete in addition to the mandatory test)



I presume it's the car drivers course, not the motorcycle one?


I'm not an expert but your description of the incident i.e using the engine to slow down, is good (if you feather the clutch to soften the effect if you are in too low a gear), but applying the BACK brake FIRST and THEN the FRONT brake goes against what I have been taught and the way I ride.

I as told to always use only front brake (and engine braking) when in a straight line and upright. Introduce the back brake into braking only in an emergency, and then progressivly and very carefully, pulling the clutch in as you come to a stop (using engine braking).

Only when I have no other options do I use front brake on bends or when leaning - (i.e. too fast into a bend), but I have tried the rear brake under those circumstances - again GENTLY but even then I try and get down the box asap rather than use brakes.

Mind you, panic and fear and brown shorts have usually taken the logic away by then !

The back brake is only to be used at very low speeds - (less than 10 mph.)

The idea of front first is that the bike pluges forward pushing the weight onto the front tyre and increasing the area thus grip on the road. The back brake (applied slightly later and less aggresively) then does the same by pulling the back down.

All car brakes do the same. Front brakes are far more efficient than the rear.

Hope this helps

If you do it today you MIGHT regret it. If you CAN'T do it tomorrow you WILL regret it.