Why Braking is Important
Enduro is a technical sport and one of the most crucial skills in dirt biking: braking. Good braking technique dramatically improves your riding, yet many riders focus on throttle control while neglecting their braking skills.
If you want to ride faster, safer, and with better control, you must master braking. As the Zen Master Sensei says:
Grasshopper! You can only go as fast as you can stop.
1. Bike Setup: Optimizing Your Braking Controls
Proper setup is essential for effective braking. Here’s what you need to do:
- Front brake lever: Set it horizontal to the bars or slightly downward.
- Rear brake lever: Align it with the foot peg or slightly higher.
- Finger positioning: Always have one finger on the clutch and front brake levers.
- Cover the rear brake: Essential for wheelies and steep descents.
2. Understanding Braking Distribution
Dirt bikes have three braking forces:
- Front brake: ~70% of braking power
- Rear brake: ~25%
- Engine braking: ~5% (varies between 2-stroke and 4-stroke bikes)
Why You Should Use the Front Brake More
Many riders overuse the rear brake because it feels safer, but your best braking performance happens when the front brake is just short of locking up.
3. Practicing Controlled Braking
Step 1: Learning to Control the Front Brake
- Find a smooth, consistent surface.
- Practice braking hard enough to almost lock the front wheel.
- Gradually increase pressure while maintaining balance.
Step 2: Using Both Brakes Together
- Work on getting both front and rear brakes to the limit without skidding.
- Practice on loose and grippy terrains.
- Turn off the engine to listen for wheel slippage.
4. Braking in Corners
Key Rules for Cornering
- Brake while upright: Once leaned over, your front wheel is at risk of washing out.
- Complete braking before the turn: This prevents losing control mid-corner.
- Rear brake use in sweeping turns: Transition from the front to rear brake when necessary.
5. Descents and Rear Brake Control
- Practice descending with only the rear brake.
- Avoid locking the rear wheel—keep it at the edge of skidding.
- Keep the clutch engaged to maintain engine braking.
6. Advanced Braking Techniques
Skidding the Rear Wheel into Corners
- Only useful for very sharp turns.
- Avoid excessive skidding on fast corners—it actually slows you down.
Locking the Rear Wheel on Steep Descents
- Useful for sandy or gravel terrain where the wheel digs in for control.
Body Positioning for Maximum Braking
- Start in the attack position (knees gripping the bike, head over handlebars).
- Shift weight to the rear when braking hard.
- Use your legs to absorb forces—excessive arm tension leads to arm pump.
Braking Late for Faster Lap Times
- Most riders brake too early and lose speed.
- Mark your braking points and gradually move them closer to the turn.
- Use a timer to compare lap times and improve efficiency.
7. Brake Upgrades & Accessories
High-End Braking Mods
- Clake 2 System: Combines easy clutch and hand-operated rear brake—expensive but effective.
- Ox Brake: Budget-friendly left-hand rear brake—less powerful but still useful.
- Midwest Front Brake Lever: Encourages one-finger braking with better ergonomics.
Final Thoughts
Mastering braking is essential for becoming a faster and safer rider. Whether you’re tackling enduro trails or motocross tracks, improving your braking technique will elevate your riding skills.
Start practicing today and remember:
You can only go as fast as you can stop!
