Which of the following ways of braking should be used if there is a need to abruptly decrease the speed of the motorcycle on a long downhill ride?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
C. Engine braking and simultaneously braking with the front and rear brakes.
Explanation
This question is about suddenly reducing the speed of a motorcycle on a long downhill slope. You use engine braking and at the same time the front and rear brakes - answer C.
The Road Traffic Act requires you to brake in a way that does not cause danger and to ride taking the terrain into account. On a downhill slope, gravity adds speed to the motorcycle, so to lose momentum suddenly you need all the available means. The front brake provides most of the braking force, because when braking, weight shifts to the front; the rear brake stabilises the motorcycle and adds its share of the braking force; changing down a gear makes the engine additionally brake the rear wheel and, after braking is over, stops the motorcycle from speeding up again. The rear brake alone (answer A) is too weak and quickly locks the wheel, and the front brake alone (answer B) overheats one system and, on a steep slope, risks lifting the rear wheel off the road surface. You brake with the motorcycle upright, increasing the pressure gradually, and you finish braking before the bend.
Legal basis: Art. 19 para. 1 and para. 2 point 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)