Greetings from the snowy bunker of motorcycle central. Winter will be gone in just a few weeks, so hang on and don't go crazy on me. We got a big season coming up and need you to make it happen. Let's finish up our Winter Motorcycle School and move on to some other happenings.

In our final segment of school were going to take a closer look at braking. Next to our brain, it's the most effective tool we have to keep us from getting hurt- If we use it correctly. We're used to describing speed in miles per hour, however seconds are a more important measure on a motorcycle. The braking distance for any motorcycle is quite variable, so I'm going to use the advertised braking distance for a 2000 Softail (Phoenix II), 160 feet @ 60 m.p.h. fully loaded. An experienced rider is performing the stop. Based on tests I have conducted, "Phoenix II" can stop in 204 feet @ 60 m.p.h. fully loaded. That's about 22 bike lengths. The stopping distance for a bike will be the sum total of braking distance plus the reaction time of the rider. Typically the reaction time will vary from 0.5 to 1.5 seconds. At 60 m.p.h. the bike will travel an additional 44 feet because of reaction time, therefore the real stopping distance is 204 feet (160 plus 44).

In David Hough's book, `Proficient Motorcycling', it talks about weight transfer and reaction time. Typically the transfer of the mass to forward motion requires about one second. This weight shift plus the reaction time of the rider increases the stopping distance and time. Theoretically, if one half of the total weight of the motorcycle (including rider and load) is carried on the rear tire, then the maximum braking force you can achieve from that tire is half the weight of the motorcycle. An 800 lbs. motorcycle has 400 lbs. of braking force per tire. Maximum braking force on a tire is limited to the force of gravity pulling down on the wheel. An 800 lbs. bike should generate 800 lbs. of braking force on the front tire on perfect, level pavement from the weight transfer. However, in the real world, pavement is not level and/or perfect.

Braking effort is measured in units called "G's" which relates to the change in speed with respect to time. The braking effort for the Softail in this article is 0.7 G's at 60 m.p.h.. A 200 lbs. rider would feel 7/10th's of his body weight or 140 pounds of force against his body. Since our rider is sitting on a seat that doesn't hold him back and his feet are on floorboards that don't offer much resistance, then the weight transferred to his arms is 140 lbs. or 70 lbs. to each hand. This bike takes 3.9 seconds to stop, meaning you have to hold 70 lbs. of weight in each hand for about 4 seconds. If you have 20 inches between your face and a windshield, hitting a fixed object at 10 m.p.h. would require 1G (your body weight) on your arms to keep from making contact with the windshield. Hitting an object at 20 m.p.h. represents about 4G's. Hitting an object at 30 m.p.h. represents 9 G's. As speed increases the force goes up by the square of the increase in speed. This force is then multiplied by your body weight. If you weight 200 lbs. and you hit an object at 40 m.p.h. the force on your arms to keep from hitting the windshield would be 3,200 lbs. (16 G's x 200 lbs.) Remember, just like in the weight transfer on a bike, your muscles also require a reaction time to operate your brake lever and pedal.

Putting all this information together results in some basic facts that riders can use to ride safer. 1.) You can `buy' time by looking as far ahead as possible. Your visual lead increases your time to react and allows you more time to decide `how' to handle the hazard (brake, swerve, counter-steer, etc.)

2.) knowing the weight transfer on your bike (in a panic stop) by practice gives you knowledge and confidence in it's characteristics and your ability. And

3.) by releasing some pressure on the rear brake prior to a full stop prevents you from skidding the rear tire and losing braking force.

The National Highway Transportation Board Accident Survey revealed that about half of all motorcycle accidents involved hitting a stationary object. Braking is not only a critical skill, but a major factor in surviving a crash. The study showed that motorcyclists were braking too late, braking incorrectly or not braking at all. The last part, not braking at all, came from panic or fear. The brain resorts to panic when it runs out of options. This is where practice comes in. By practicing quick stops on a regular basis, by attending Rider Education Courses prior to the riding season and being aware of the factors that go into a stop (weight transfer, reaction time, etc.) will give the rider a edge and a better than average chance on the street.

Of all the skills involved with motorcycling, braking is the one that will save your life and give you control in a dangerous situation. And in the end, controlling your motorcycle in an ever changing environment is the key to safety.

Indiana State Memorial for Motorcycle Safety update. As I write this article, I am pleased and relieved to report that the monies have all been collected, the stone paid for, the contractor for the concrete work has been paid and the stacks of paperwork just about complete. The Governor's office has made the aide's available to coordinator the dedication and the media, production companies and refreshment vendors are standing by. I want to publish the names of the donors for a couple of reasons. First, I want to ask that all of our Members stop by their place of business and thank them for giving us (motorcyclists) a place of our own and to buy something. This historic memorial has long range implications and preserves the memory of those who have made our sport safer and more enjoyable. Second, the names you see below were the only ones who responded to a letter and telephone campaign. I made several trips to visit in person with dealerships all over the State and to talk with the owners. I contacted all motorcycle dealerships (not just Harley-Davidson) and asked for donations. Below are the ones that stepped up and immediately came on board. Please note the location of these well known dealerships.

Benson Motorcycles (Muncie)

Lewis Suzuki (Anderson)

Eagle Harley-Davidson (Lafayette)

Mann's Harley-Davidson (Columbus)

Gerencer's Harley-Davidson (Elkart)

Indpls. Southside Harley-Davidson (Indpls.)

Harley-Davidson of Bloomington

Midwest Motorcycle Club (Indpls.)

ABATE of INDIANA

The Mike Smith Family

The Chris Hiatt Family (Muncie)

The Ricky Robertson Family (Anderson)

Christian Motorcycle Assoc.

River City Harley-Davidson (Ft. Wayne)

LOH #1277 HOG of Muncie

Hammond Harley-Davidson (Hammond)

Memorial bricks for the sidewalk leading to the Memorial will be sold though ABATE of INDIANA at a cost of $100.00 per brick. The purchaser will have up to 15 characters (including spaces) for a personalized name or message. ABATE hopes to begin taking orders sometime this month. For more information call 1-800-23-ABATE Mon-Fri, 9-5.

Finally, watch for photo's and a full story on the completed Memorial Site in coming issues of HogPrints.

I received an E-mail from `Big Joe' saying that he went for a ride one day in the cold and that it was great. Not having `Phoenix II' available to ride (it's in piece's at Benson's) I had been going nuts. Joe's E-mail put me over the top. Unable to stand it any longer, I put on all of my winter gear and uncovered Teresa's Sportster and pushed it outside. It was a Wednesday in January, sunny and 18 degrees with a wind chill of 5 degrees. The Sporty was reluctant to start, however after a quick spray of ether it fired. Plugging in my electric gloves that I bought at Benson's for half price (thanks for the clearance table Steve!) I set out. With the wind blowing me sideways I ran a 30 mile course though the countryside. My nose ran continuously and my eyes watered. People in passing cars either laughed and pointed or gave me the thumbs up. The feeling of moving again was spectacular!

That feeling of moving in the wind, of working the clutch and hearing the engine roar is what makes life so wonderful. Pulling back into the garage an hour later frozen, wind burned and stiff, I was smiling. Life is made up of little things that make you happy. I was happy. Thanks Joe.

Let's close out this session with a word to our new members. I want to welcome all of you to our Club and invite you to attend the meetings and events. I know it's hard sometimes because you don't know everyone's name, but don't let that stop you. Most of the members don't know everyone's name either. We just know we're part of the Club and that we share the joy of motorcycles. All our members are friendly and like to help. Please be patient and keep coming to the meetings and events, you ARE welcome and we want you there.

Until next time, ride when you can and make the meetings. Hey, Joe, I'm STILL cold!