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Reaction Time, braking, following distance, Stopping Distance

That's a whole lot data, it looks like they've done a great job of running tests and gathering info.

When I see these types of articles and the Recommended Numbers in them, I just feel like it's common sense. But then again I'm a fairly cautious rider. My preference is to not have anyone in front at all, but when that's not possible, I err on the side of extra buffer room.

It's impossible to accurately predict other drivers, so I don't put my life in their hands by following closely.
 
Hmm - at 60mph you have about 4 seconds until impact. That's if you hit your mark (about 4/10th of second for reaction time) and everything is perfect otherwise its going to take longer!!!

The point - leave a space!
 
Hmm - at 60mph you have about 4 seconds until impact. That's if you hit your mark (about 4/10th of second for reaction time) and everything is perfect otherwise its going to take longer!!!

The point - leave a space!

It's not my reaction I'm concerned about, it's the idiot texting behind me riding my ass!:eek:
 
It's not my reaction I'm concerned about, it's the idiot texting behind me riding my ass!:eek:

Keep thinking - now you get out of the way and if not possible, double, triple the space. . .

Take it with a grain a salt - maybe it'll help someone. . .
 
Good find, and thanks for sharing.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder..... I know how complex trying to maintain a 'safety bubble' is, on a bike.

This data gives a realistic point of reference for what is involved in coming to a stop in a controlled manner. The unfortunate parts is experience is where it starts to gain relevance.

I've ridden street bikes on a daily basis in San Diego, San Francisco, Portland OR, Seattle.... Between those four, I know I have commuted about 100,000 miles in mixed city and country traffic. I'd bet 80% of that was Metro riding. It is very nearly impossible to maintain the kinds of spacing this data indicates.

Knowing you probably cannot stop in the space available does not make the stopping distances irrelevant. It just means you really, really have to look as far ahead of your point in space as you can.

Never ride in a blind spot. If you cannot see over it, through it, or around it, maintain the spacing indicated.

Never ride in a place you are masked from view... people will assume you are not there. Always make yourself as visible by position as possible.

Adjust your speed to match your ability to take your escape route. Knowing where to go, and being able to get there do not always match. That's an accident of a rider's own making.
 
I stumbled upon this and thought it was good reading so take a look and see if you get something out of it too! Give it some consideration if you follow others too close at speed.
Bike Safer.com: Motorcycle Braking Time
A Calculator. . .
All Things (Safety Oriented) Motorcycle - Stopping Distance Calculator

Thanks for the links, many people don't realise how long your braking distance really is :eek:
If you practice emergency braking on a deserted road/parking lot, Choose a reference point to start braking, afterwards take a little time to realise just how far the stopping distance really is.

Good find, and thanks for sharing.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder..... I know how complex trying to maintain a 'safety bubble' is, on a bike.

This data gives a realistic point of reference for what is involved in coming to a stop in a controlled manner. The unfortunate parts is experience is where it starts to gain relevance.

I've ridden street bikes on a daily basis in San Diego, San Francisco, Portland OR, Seattle.... Between those four, I know I have commuted about 100,000 miles in mixed city and country traffic. I'd bet 80% of that was Metro riding. It is very nearly impossible to maintain the kinds of spacing this data indicates.

Knowing you probably cannot stop in the space available does not make the stopping distances irrelevant. It just means you really, really have to look as far ahead of your point in space as you can.

Never ride in a blind spot. If you cannot see over it, through it, or around it, maintain the spacing indicated.

Never ride in a place you are masked from view... people will assume you are not there. Always make yourself as visible by position as possible.

Adjust your speed to match your ability to take your escape route. Knowing where to go, and being able to get there do not always match. That's an accident of a rider's own making.

Great tips RJ I would just like to add that releasing your throttle and covering your brakes at potentially dangerous places (junctions etc) will make a big difference in your stopping distance.
 
a bike also gives you a couple of extra escape routes, you can go to the sides of the cars

had to use tha tthe other day when i was going around a blind corner on a country road, and some idiot cager had stopped in the middle of the road to try and get into a parking spot, wasn't going that fast, but i still had to ride over the double white lines and avoid them :S
 
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