All courses › Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A) › Stopping distance on a motorcycle

Stopping distance on a motorcycle

The stopping distance is the reaction distance plus the braking distance, just as for a car. Reaction distance grows with speed, and braking distance with the square of the speed: double speed gives four times the braking distance. On wet surfaces, gravel and road markings grip is worse and braking takes longer. Keep at least a 3-second gap.

Try it yourself

Stopping distance: speed, reaction and road surface

s = v \cdot t_r + \dfrac{v^2}{2a}

the stopping distance

Symbols

$v$	speed	m/s
$t_r$	reaction time, about 1	s
$a$	deceleration, about 7 on dry tarmac	m/s²

Example

You are riding at 80 km/h ( $v \approx 22$ m/s).

$s = 22 \cdot 1 + \dfrac{22^2}{2 \cdot 7} \approx 22 + 35 = 57$ m.

Engine braking does not switch on the brake light. Touch the brake lightly so the traffic behind sees you slowing.

Practise braking and stopping distance for free →

← Front and rear brake · Braking in a bend →

Part of Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A): Braking and stopping distance.