Most Important Technique is… Braking

Ask any seasoned motorcyclist or racer to name the most important riding technique and you’ll hear a lot about braking.

Why? Because great braking can save your life. It can make the difference between a smooth ride through a twisty canyon and a crash. It’s the skill that underpins confidence, control and ultimately, speed.

Braking is More Than Just Stopping

There are riders that think of braking as just a way to slow down, but expert braking is about managing traction, weight transfer, timing and feel. It’s the tool you use to set up every corner, recover from mistakes, or avoid a collision.

A skilled rider doesn’t brake late – they brake right. That means knowing exactly how much pressure to apply, when to release it and how to use both front and rear brakes to your advantage.

The Front Brake is Your Best Friend

The front brake provides roughly 90% of your stopping power, depending on conditions. Learning to use it progressively and gently at first, then use it harder. As the fork compresses, the tire bites into the asphalt and grip increases.

Many new riders are afraid of the front brake. They’ve heard horror stories of locking up and going over the bars. But with proper technique and modern ABS systems, that fear is outdated. The real danger is not using the front brake properly when you need it most.

Trail Braking: The Game Changer

One of the most advanced braking techniques is trail braking – the art of maintaining brake pressure into the beginning of a corner, gradually easing off as you lean. This keeps the front tire loaded, gives you more control and allows mid-corner adjustments.

Trail braking isn’t just for track riders. On the street, it can help you adapt to decreasing radius turns, unexpected hazards, or just shave off speed without unsettling the bike.

Practice, Then Practice More

Braking well isn’t about reading blogs. It’s about practice. Find a safe place – a track, empty parking lot, or riding course – and drill your braking. Try:

Emergency stops from 30, 50, then 70 km/h

Rear brake-only stops to feel how little it does

Front brake-only stops to learn modulation

Combined braking for balance

Trail braking in slow-speed corners

You’ll be amazed how much smoother and safer your riding becomes.

Final Thoughts

Motorcycles are thrilling because they demand skill. No skill is more crucial than braking. It’s not flashy and it won’t get you Instagram likes, but mastering your brakes will make you faster, safer and more in control. Hope is not a technique. Keep practising, learning and pushing your skills.

So next time you ride, don’t just twist the throttle – respect the brakes. Because the most important technique… is braking.