Article interressant sur les stoppies

[Makiavel]

Rothwell does Stoppies

Today's bikes have serious brakes. Even the MZ 125's we just tested have the ability to pitch you over the top if you're a little ambitious with a heavy hand (or four fingers.)

Now, stoppies are considered big and clever to some folk and a dangerous liability to some. The fact is, being able to stoppie well could save your butt in a real life situation, especially if you know exactly how hard you can and can't stop in any given situation and/or road surface.

The sad fact is that some riders really don't realize how quickly you can stop using your front brakes only. These stoppie exercises might just save your butt.

As always, we can't encourage this in a public place. Go find somewhere quiet, preferably with a friend or at least a cell phone. Wear your best kit, including leathers if you can and don't come knocking on our door if you get your collar felt or it goes pear shaped.


We believe a little of the right type of information from a tried and trusted source might keep you out of trouble. English stunt guru Gary Rothwell holds the current world record for the fastest stoppie at 118 mph. He know what works and what hurts.

So here's the skinny from "King of all Stoppies" Gary Rothwell:

How to do stoppies.

The way most people would try to do stoppies is usually around ten miles an hour coming up to a traffic light, but that's not the best or safest way.

The easiest way to try and learn how to do it is by attempting this at about 30 mph on a nice grippy road surface. Depending on what motorcycle you ride, will make this a lot easier.

A small light motorcycle may seem to be easier to learn on for some people, rather than starting off on a big heavy motorcycle, if this is the case; it is all in your head. If the bike you are riding is capable of doing a stoppie then it should not be any harder than trying it on a small bike. (I think)

The first thing you need to do is be comfortable and relaxed because it doesn't hurt as much when you fall off. No really. First, always wear at least a helmet because if you do fall off, you will probably land on it or quite possibly the bike could land on you! I know it may look good and cool with no protective gear on and maybe your friends may laugh, but they will laugh a lot more if you do fall and get up yourself rather than them supporting your head while they call for an ambulance. Stupid hurts. Well, that's enough of the preaching.

So there are a couple of different techniques depending on the bike you are riding. I will compare a few bikes.

Sport bikes up to 600cc. Get your bike up to around 30 mph, grip the tank with your knees, this will work better if you are wearing leather pants or a full race suit, because it will grip the tank a lot better than jeans. OK, so you are now doing 30 mph and you are squeezing the tank, pull the front brake in quite hard, but progressively. You may think the tire will lock up straight away, this could happen if you do it too aggressively. So take time to practice this until you get it right. Remember, if it does lock up, you'd better have fast reaction's in releasing the brake lever or you will fall very quickly indeed. Be warned!

The rear tire will lift off the floor easier if, just before you squeeze the brake, you quickly bounce your butt slightly on the seat just enough to take the weight off the rear end. If you did it correctly the back wheel will rise and you'll be riding along on your front wheel for a while, the longer you travel is dependent on your brake control.

The best way to explain this brake control is this: If you think about riding up to a stop sign, you don't just pull the brakes in and stop right at the sign, you are constantly applying and releasing pressure to the brakes . The same applies to riding on your front wheel, when you feel the front wheel biting hard, hopefully the rear wheel will be lifting off of the floor you will be able to control how high the rear wheel goes by modulating the brake lever. Remember, the more you pull your front brake in the higher the rear wheel will go and the more you let it out, the lower it will go.

Just like riding up to a stop sign just feel what the bike is doing under you and control it with your brake lever. Stay calm as you feel the rear rise up, ideally you want the rear wheel about 2 feet off the floor. Having it only a foot off the floor will mean you are still having to brake really hard and you will still stop really quickly, this is not the right way, having it 2 feet off the floor will make it easier for you and you will travel a lot further at this height.

If you get it right consistently, congratulations. One other thing to watch for is if you're riding along on the front wheel and you feel the back end of the bike starting to go sideways and you are traveling too fast, release your front brake lever immediately before it gets out of shape otherwise you'll fall off. As you get more proficient you'll be able to use body English to correct it. Practice makes perfect.

When you have mastered basic stoppies and you think you may be ready for the next level you may want to get the back wheel higher off of the ground and riding along faster than before. Obviously you will travel a lot further on your front wheel than before, just before you come to stop you can try turning the handle bars and landing the bike sideways too. Practice, Practice.

Earlier on I mentioned about trying it on different bikes if you're trying this on an R1, 900RR or similar the same basics will apply. However, if you are trying it on anything older or heavier, you may want to let a bit of air pressure out of the front tire and bounce a little harder on the seat just to get the tire to grip because of the extra weight of the bike you are riding.

Sometimes adding a little more preload to the front forks to stop the fork bottoming out, this will help too. Unfortunately some bikes will not do stoppies because of weight, wheelbase, tires, brakes, etc.

Some people will obviously read this and go and try time and time again, but will never get it right. I am sorry, but for you people there is no cure. Some riders have it, some don't!!

For the people who do get it right and the people who don't, please remember - Just ride safe and within your limits, do not try to go past them because at the end of the day it might not have been worth it.

Take it easy guys and possibly gals

Gary Rothwell