riding Skills: Using the Rear Brake (Sport Rider)

[ksanbon]

This is enlightening...

Riding Skills Series: Using The Rear Brake - Sport Rider Magazine

.

[dart1963]

just saw that on a fb post, great article.

[Roaddawg]

Good article.

"In a basic stopping situation on the street, you want to use mostly the front brake with some rear. Using the rear brake, even slightly, will help to lower the center of gravity, adding stability to the situation and letting you brake harder in a panic stop."

This is what I do.

[streetmaster]

Must admit, I'm one that rarely uses the rear brake.
After reading this, I must review this riding style of mine!!
There are quite a few good tips in the series (of riding tips)

[Halon]

i mostly use the rear brake. When I use the front brake by itself it feels weak like it isn't doing anything at all hardly, it isn't until I get some good rear brake in there that I can really feel the bike squat down and come to a stop. Although in most situations I just use the rear brake, and on the freeway I just use less/close the throttle up and let the engine compression slow me down as needed. I learned a few things I've been testing out from the article though, good read for a novice.

[Roaddawg]

Originally Posted by Halon

i mostly use the rear brake. When I use the front brake by itself it feels weak like it isn't doing anything at all hardly, it isn't until I get some good rear brake in there that I can really feel the bike squat down and come to a stop. Although in most situations I just use the rear brake, and on the freeway I just use less/close the throttle up and let the engine compression slow me down as needed. I learned a few things I've been testing out from the article though, good read for a novice.

Is your front brake cable connected? How do you not feel anything with the front brake?

[joloy133]

Originally Posted by Halon

i mostly use the rear brake. When I use the front brake by itself it feels weak like it isn't doing anything at all hardly, it isn't until I get some good rear brake in there that I can really feel the bike squat down and come to a stop. Although in most situations I just use the rear brake, and on the freeway I just use less/close the throttle up and let the engine compression slow me down as needed. I learned a few things I've been testing out from the article though, good read for a novice.

If you can't feel your front brake something is wrong and you've been compensating. Get to a parking lot and do some stops with front brake only, then rear brake, from about 25 mph. They don't have to be lock ups but firm stops. Our bikes are heavy and the quickest stops are from the front brakes w/o question, its physics. Maybe you just need to adjust the handlebar lever for the front brake. Push it away from the bar, dial a number, lower and check grip feel.

[ME_with_a_B]

I use my rear brake all the time... that article almost makes me feel like I'm over using it. I just really like that the bike squats when I do - and I feel like I have better control.

[joloy133]

Originally Posted by ME_with_a_B

I use my rear brake all the time... that article almost makes me feel like I'm over using it. I just really like that the bike squats when I do - and I feel like I have better control.

A lot of motocross riders who slide well feel that way. The road has its differences though and front brakes give the best stops (like stoppies!!), so you have to learn/feel that lever. Our bikes front brakes have good feel, some riders have even put on grippier pads.

[ME_with_a_B]

Oh don't get me wrong, I use my front brake plenty... it's very strong - especially as the weight transfers from the rear of the bike to the front as the stop progresses.

I guess I'm just extra paranoid about accidentally lifting my rear tire by over-braking with the front wheel