In good conditions, and without a passenger or heavy load, you can't expect a bike to stop in less than 12 metres from 50 km/h or 40 metres from 100 km/h.
Add a reaction time of about a second and, from 100 km/h, you're looking at a 70 metres stop at best. Obviously, the worse the road conditions, the longer it will take to stop. Check out the sections here for some smart advice on braking technique.
Always aim to brake with the bike upright, travelling in a straight line. That way, you can apply the most braking force with the least chance of a skid or locked tyre. It’s your front tyre that should handle most of the braking, because it has the most weight on it. So you need to transfer weight onto the front tyre smoothly, progressively and quickly for maximum braking.
Close or ease off the throttle and engine braking will begin this transfer. Then you need to progressively build up pressure on the front brake while adding a touch of back brake. Go down the gears one at a time, smoothly engaging the clutch each time while blipping the throttle to match the engine speed to the lower gear. If you’re coming to a halt, gradually ease the pressure off the front so you glide to a stop. In slow speed manoeuvring, use the back brake only.
Ideally, you shouldn’t brake in a corner. If you have to, do it as gently as you can. And understand the difference between using the back and front brakes.
Using the front brake in a corner is best avoided. It will tend to make the motorcycle ‘sit up’ and run wide. In extremes, it will overload the front and cause a crash. Better to identify a safe path, counter steer to push the bike upright, and brake hard in a straight line.
Easing off the throttle or using a touch of back brake can tighten your line and make you less likely to run wide. But, again, any deceleration should be gentle.
