Brake Dive

Brake dive is the way the front of a motorcycle drops when you brake. Weight transfers forward, the fork compresses, the rake angle becomes steeper and trail shorter, so the bike turns more readily but becomes less stable.

Some dive is normal and useful: it loads the front tyre for grip and helps the bike turn in when trail-braking into a corner. Too much dive uses up fork travel, can bottom the fork and unsettles the bike, especially over bumps under braking.

Excessive dive is usually reduced with the correct spring rate and preload, more compression damping or a slightly higher fork oil level. Worn fork oil and tired springs make dive worse, so service the fork at the intervals in the manual. Smooth, progressive brake application also keeps the bike calmer.