Use of brake lights when slowing/stopping

[Flymhi]

Just curious to see how others use there brakes. Do you down shift when slowing/stopping and use the brake at the last minute before putting your foot down or do you start using the brake immediatly for the benefit of cars behind you seeing the action and taking notice?

[Mellow]

Odds are, if you are going to get hit, it's probably gonna be a rear ender at a stop light... haven't seen any new statistics but I think during the MSF course I took a few years ago, that was the #1 situation for bikes getting hit.

So, the sooner you can draw attention to yourself at an intersection, or coming up to one the better. I hit my brakes several times coming to a stop... then, I even look in my mirror with an obvious head move, look left and right etc.. something that makes the driver's attention focus on me. If I just sit there like a statue, I might fall into the daydream of the driver behind me... so, I make myself obvious.. maybe that's going too far... but, maybe it works... I don't know, can't tell you for sure.

[Bones]

Tap your brakes and get the attention of someone behind you. Be seen.

[Tricky]

I have been downshifting and then flipping the front brake lever on and off so that the brake light flashes for years. Don't know if it helps or not, but that is what I do.
:06biker:

[Pred8tor]

I like to tap mine, usually the rear brake just enough to flash the light. Engine braking works so well that cage drivers may not have any idea that I'm slowing if I don't send some signal.

There's one turn I have to make, and I am very conscience of being rear-ended. I'm all over the brake - blinking the light, then left turn signal. I feel like waving my arms if I could. I will even slow down long before the turn to make sure the driver behind me is close enough to be aware of me before I really need to slow for the turn.

[jnsgardner]

I put in the Back-Off brake light modulator with a switch to try out the two different flashing options. It's been the opion of my wife and several friends that the reoccuring multi-flash pattern is better than the flashing followed by a steady light. I'll be able to show both paterns at the WeSTOC 'show 'n tell' evening.

By the way, in regards to the downshifting to stop answer, I'd be curious to know if people blip the throttle at the downshift to help the syncros in the gearbox or if they just, well, downshift. The bliping may be an old habit left over from driving weak British sports cars in my youth and is not necessary with modern gearboxs.

John

[BluesCityST1300a]

I downshift but I also start pressing and releasing the brake lever to signal my intent. One day I'm going to invest in the rear brake modulators that blink on and off when you apply the brake.

[pretbek]

Why would you engine-brake?

I think (hard to remember 3 years of riding 9 years ago :rolleyes: ) that I used to "engine brake" when matching my gears to my speed, just to get a feel for what was the right gear for the speed. But most of the braking power would always come from the brakes, for 3 reasons:
1. Visibility - always light up that brake light.
2. Brake wear costs a lot less than engine wear.
3. Brake application feels more controlled with hand- and foot-controls than by engine-braking applied only to the rear wheel.

My MSF instructor asked what a good reason would be to engine brake and when no one in the class answered him he said "That's right!". I tend to agree with him.

[Gonzo]

I use both downshifting and the brakes and try to on/off the brakes a couple of times.
There are no synchros in a constant-mesh type motorcycle transmission. However, blipping the throttle to match the RPMs should minimize the wear on your splines and rubber driveline parts, plus avoiding heavier stresses on the metal parts. Yeah, I know, I drove Limey machinery 'way back when, too!
Gonzo

[GRN]

When I downshift to shave some speed I flash my brakes 3 times as a heads up to everything behind that I'm slowing. When coming to a complete stop I will apply brake lightly throughout - between shifts. Folks that ride with me know the pattern... on open road a coupla flashes is just a change of pace - a down shift to set up a curve or such, but if it lights up solid it's probably time to grab some (or a bunch of) brake :eek:

[SteveST1300]

I installed hyperlights 3 way so when I brake they flash very bright, I also down shift.:03biker:

[sherob]

When I downshift to shave some speed I flash my brakes 3 times as a heads up to everything behind that I'm slowing. When coming to a complete stop I will apply brake lightly throughout - between shifts. Folks that ride with me know the pattern... on open road a coupla flashes is just a change of pace - a down shift to set up a curve or such, but if it lights up solid it's probably time to grab some (or a bunch of) brake :eek:

+1 ;)

[Blrfl]

I just tow one of these:
http://stn.notonthe.net/misc/mcsign.gif

--Mark

[vfourlife]

I usually grab and release the brake lever 4 or 5 times before holding the lever in to stop. That way I get the flashing effect without putting the cagers in a trance (oh the lights, they're so pretty). My technic also saves money on the purchase of a modulator.

[Darth Vader]

I have been downshifting and then flipping the front brake lever on and off so that the brake light flashes for years.

Isn't that a bit extreme?

[AZST]

I too have gotten into the habit of tapping the brakes 2-3x to signal those behind....usually other STs (black, red and silver). :D

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[emshaferii]

According to MSF most bike accidents occur between the 10:45 and 2:45 (frontal) area.....rear end accidents account for less than 2% of all accidents if memory serves me correctly......over 50% of accidents involve alcohol in the system of the motorcycle driver as well.....

[STinner]

:weights1:

was once told that how you tend to use your brakes in normal circumstances will be the basis of how you will use them in an emergency.
i tend to cover my front brake lever whenever i'm in traffic and do pulsate the lever to try to get the attention of whoever is behind me. but i think there is more to braking than just pulling or stepping down on levers. what are your surroundings acting like? how far do you look ahead? how far is your head into the game? are you aware that what's behind you isn't that kenworth anymore but somebody that cant even see over the steering wheel? have you kept track of that idiot that has changed lanes six times in the last 1/2 mile? where is he?
this was a simple question i suppose to answer. shifting gears, burping the motor, matching rpm......i guess hearing about ACL and that other guy in illinois cracking up his '06 has got me re-evaluating my riding techniques.
when i totaled my 98 1100 it was only by God's mercy that i didnt end up in a box. made the mistake of being in a hurry and not thinking! it was one of those left-handers but it was me turning left at the wrong time. that little lady thought she killed me. that old joe rocket with armor and skull bucket saved my life. ATGATT i dont plan on doin' it to my 04.
that's enough................

keep your head in the game

stay strong

become an old biker!

dave

[JellyRoll]

http://www.brakeflasher.com/led.htm

Anybody use these? Topserve is the company...They say they are the brightest.

[U-Turn]

Cars...what cars? :D

[chalayko]

I have a Tailblazer hooked up to my stock brake light and the 2 in my Givi top box so I just touch the brake to get them flashing as I'm slowing sown. Once stopped I "flash" the cars coming up behind me again to get their attention. The way some react to it I think they didn't really see me stopped there until I flashed them again. It's also a great BACK OFF! system for tailgaters.
Cliff.