Brakes - BMW S 1000RR Rider's Manual

The speed thresholds and
behaviour of the shift light can
be adjusted in the Settings,
Vehicle settings menu (also
see the "Operation" chapter).

Brakes

How can stopping
distance be minimised?
Each time the brakes are applied,
a load distribution shift takes
place with the load shifting for-
ward from the rear to the front
wheel. The sharper the vehicle
decelerates, the more load is
shifted to the front wheel. The
higher the wheel load, the more
braking force can be transmitted.
To optimise stopping distance,
apply the front brakes rapidly and
keep on increasing the force you
apply to the brake lever. This
makes the best possible use of
the dynamic increase in load at
the front wheel. Remember to
pull the clutch at the same time.
BMW Motorrad RACE ABS pre-
vents the front wheel from lock-
ing up.
In the "panic braking situations"
that are trained so frequently,
braking force is applied as rap-
idly as possible and with the
rider's full force applied to the
brake levers; under these circum-
stances, the dynamic shift in load
distribution cannot keep pace
with the increase in deceleration
and the tyres cannot transmit
the full braking force to the sur-
face of the road. In the absence
of load on the wheel the ABS
has to intervene to prevent the
front wheel from locking even if
the brakes are applied only very
lightly. This leads to a reduced
braking effect.
Descending mountain
passes
WARNING
Braking only with the rear
brake on mountain descents
Brake fade, destruction of the
brakes due to overheating
Use both front and rear brakes,
and make use of the engine's
braking effect as well.
Wet and dirty brakes
Wetness and dirt on the brake
discs and the brake pads dimin-
ish braking efficiency.
Delayed braking action or poor
braking efficiency must be
reckoned with in the following
situations:
Riding in the rain or through
puddles of water.
After the vehicle has been
washed.
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