[tripleripple]

I was going to submit my very detailed, specific advice on the topic of braking, and the various scientific theories and physics lessons involved...and then I remembered that my bike's battery has died from so little use. Twice. TWICE!!!



Oh wait....

 

[32324]

The only times I use just the rear brake are when I want to brake-slide the rear around a little (mostly a dirtbike move) or a parking lot speed. The reason I use just the rear at parking lot speed is that at low speed you use a lot of steering lock. If you use the front brake when the front wheel is turned it cause the bike to fall the direction the wheel is turned, whereas the rear brake doesn't affect the balance.

 

[61246]

I go rear brake only when the traction is almost gone, such as when it has just started raining, before all the oil has been washed off the road or if I'm on wet grass. When it's wet or I'm on a substandard road, such as old dry asphalt, the kind that has gone light grey, I'll apply the rear brake to lockup to get a feel for the traction that is there, and then use front accordingly.



I had a Suzuki GN 250 with a dual leading edge drum brake that, in the above situations, would put you on your a$$ if you hit the front brake, on the first application. The first time you hit it, it would always give enough braking force, no matter how lightly you applied it, to fully drop the fork, for an instant. I was quite happy when my next bike had a hydraulic front disk.

 

[50960]

Here is a website I used to keep learning to ride better.. Scroll down to articles 29 & 30.

http://www.msgroup.org/DISCUSS.asp

 

[3810]

Works great to bring those out-of-control-up-and-over wheelies crashing down to earth. Holds the bike at stop lights on hills. Helps pass the MSF course test. Great for flat-spotting your rear tire. The best for low siding while leaned over. Can help stabilize your machine (less front fork dive) when using your front brake to the max. Gentle use can help tighten your arc when leaned over. A great aid in making tight U-turns--linked brakes can make this one REAL exciting (these two actually require considerable skill and finesse, the others are pretty much no-brainers). A great way to learn how to be Ben, Aaron, Nicky, Anthony Gobert or a MSF test flunky, depending on your skill level. An instant cure for those that can't figure how to dump their girlfriend. ABS ruins all the potential drama. No ABS and too much pressure is an instant reminder you forgot to wear diapers (they love to take 'em off adults in the ER). Really good for inexperienced riders who had to "lay it down" only to have it slide to a halt before it came to the object in question. The manufacturer's best friend--lots of profit in the those wiped out fairings, cases, turn signals, footpegs, ad nauseum. Perhaps the best teacher in the world for an instant lesson in wearing proper road gear. Pretty damned versatile for one little pedal donchathink??

 

[pplassm]

As pointed out above, rear brake use adds precision and control at low speeds and may be essential in marginal traction environments. If you ride a dirt bike, you use it a lot more.

 

[57335]

I use my rear only when I want to do a powerslide into oncoming children... moves 'em out of the way like a good hockey shot. *smirk*



Seriously though... at low parking lot and uturn speeds and on bad gravel... otherwise it's front or both.

 

[sarnali2]

Re: Wrong

The only time you can use your rear brake safely is to kick the rear end out and set up a slide in preperation to layin' 'er down to avoid hitting something. Do they teach that at MSF? probably the "advanced rider" section.....

The exception to not using the rear brake would be if you foolishly installed a spool hub on your bike because they look cool and figured your crappy 30 year old rivited shoe drum brakes would be enough. Or if the front pads are down to metal and you can't afford new ones just yet, using the rear only will prevent tearing up the front disc's

Oh I forgot, pulling up to a stop in the rain and noticing the giant oil slick the car in front of you just left, rear brake only and try not to put your feet down in it...

That's about all I can think of, also if you go into a corner too hot and want to slow down without standing the bike up you can trail the rear brake lightly, that usually works without throwing you off your line too badly

 

[37826]

Re: Wrong

I believe the '/sarcasm', also known as the sarcasm off tag is now copyrighted by the Harley Hating Brotherhood, Inc. Where is my royalty check?

 

[sarnali2]

When I had the Dyna IE; long and low with a rear weight bias I used the rear brake quite a bit more than usual. With a sport bike or standard the weight bias is more neutral so the rear is best at low speed on slick roads or in conjuction with the front for normal stopping

 

[tumbler]

+2

 

[56599]

Re: Wrong

These are the wives' tales I was talking about.. Thanks for not letting me down

 

[TheFox]

Stainless lines and RD350's

I use the rear a lot, and I think it comes from the fact that my first two bikes were older and heavier.

You know, when I had an fz-1 a couple of years ago, I locked up the back brake a couple times in tense situations. I never intended to turn them into panic stops, but they becuase panicky skids (at least out back).

Then I installed stainless steel lines, what I consider the most important accessory for a bike and the first modification I make. I did the back brake just to match the looks, and because there was a deal on the 3 line set.

What a difference, not in power, but useability on the rear! It became dramatically easier to use the rear brake, where before it was an off-on switch that was pretty much useless. I told this story to a fellow friend of mine who decided to replace his rear line as well as his fronts on his CBR600RR, and he reported the same expierence. Now he uses the rear more too, without fear of locking up.

So I found an RD350 on craigslist that the owner claims runs and drives. Looks like it's in good, non-original shape, with nice chrome and a respray, no badges. I want a runner, so that's fine with me. They want $750 bucks. Someone convince me to buy it. What should I be looking for that goes wrong? My girlfriend's dad knows how to rebuild and the 3 of us could work on it, so I'm thinking this could be fun.

--The Fox

 

[56599]

Re: kpaul crack pot braking theories.

Yep you win kfred.

 

[39208]

I would like some popcorn.

c'mon, just read the subject

 

[nil5]

On the VFR, the rear brake lever actuates a piston on both front calipers

Linked Brake System (LBS)

You can stop faster on the VFR if you use both front and rear simultaneously, because you are getting more stopping force on the front wheel.

That said, on the VFR when you use the rear brake alone, you are getting the center piston on either front brake caliper (on the 98-01's at least). It's not very noticeable. Like everyone else here, I only use the rear brake at parking lot speeds or when stopped. when making tight turns in the parking lot on a bike with a higher center of gravity like the vfr, the rear brake is pretty much essential (for me at least) to maintaining stability and controlling the power that goes to the ground.

 

[seruzawa]

Re: Wrong

Notice how frantic he gets (whoever he is) when he is exposed as a fraud who knows nothing about friction, momentum, etc. A simple perusal of car and motorcycle magazines gives lie to the idea that a heavier vehicle automatically stops more quickly than a lighter one. All the long winded explanations in the world don't change incontrovertible fact.

 

[seruzawa]

No need to say anything. The idiot is entertaining enough without any help.

 

[sarnali2]

Re: Wrong

Which technique did you use to not avoid hitting that twig?

 

[longride]

Re: Stainless lines and RD350's

The RD350 will be fun, as long as you don't compare it to any modern motorcycle. It will vibrate, handling will be acceptable, brakes will be average, power will be low, and the reliablity will be questionable. Old bikes are fun to tinker with, if you have the time, but can quickly get expensive in a big hurry. One other thing. Owners claims are about as reliable as the weather. You need to see it in person to make the call.