Do you use your rear brake??

[ducrider45]

I always use my rear brake!

[EvilSteve]

I think the argument is not that people don't mess up the rear brake or that it isn't easier to just use the front the argument is that when both brakes are used correctly stopping distance is shorter. This has been proven in tests. that's not to say that if you lock your rear that you aren't going to do yourself more harm than if you hadn't used it at all. The rear brake should be applied lightly and then tapered off as weight is transferred to the front of the bike. If you lock up every time it's applied you're not doing it right.

I'm a newbie too, I haven't practiced serious panic stops from high speeds yet. I do use the rear.

Dan

[flyguyskt]

okay heres why i am confused about all of your posts??? the first post here (maybe everyone should go back and read it) was not asking about panic stops. it was asking if we use the rear brake in general. so that is what i am gearing my answers toward. i agree evils steve... said it has been proven in tests, proper braking WILL decrease disatance with BOTH brakes.

An endo is one crash that i want to avoid! don't need a 400 lb bike on my face.

WERA 25 i still am flabergasted that a "experienced racing champion" is implying that the rear brake WILL DEFINITELY SKID and be prepared for a crash.

i play with emergency stops all the time, yes sometimes the rear does skid a little...sooo what do i do ... oh my goodnes what do i do...uh, let off the brake pedal a tad bit.

you make it sound like the bike will be immediatley 90 degrees sideways and sliding down the road while the rider is putting on turnicates and calling for an ambulance!

NEW RIDER BE ADVISED... the rear brake IS a good thing if properly used. so LEARN how to use it. DON"T think about it just use it.. you don't want to have to THINK about it.. this should be a natural reaction in an emergency. Don't believe a full front is bad??? try this ...you to WERA ...going about 10 mph...now grab the front brake as hard as you can, cuz hey you are panic "stopping" right?? NOW really be prepared because the bike WILL come up on the front tire...maybe up on your head!! i personally have seen someone do this and he was in pain!! while i was skidding the rear a tad! and still had all my skin. maybe my reaction time was better i don't know but i know he crashed i didn't???

[altersys]

Originally Posted by flyguyskt

Don't believe a full front is bad??? try this ...you to WERA ...going about 10 mph...now grab the front brake as hard as you can, cuz hey you are panic "stopping" right?? NOW really be prepared because the bike WILL come up on the front tire...maybe up on your head!! i

I wish people would just stop sensationalizing... :

[flyguyskt]

okay ALT, how am i sensastionalizing or exaggerating a bit, i know for a fact in one of his last posts WERA said "be prepared because you will be sideways"? am i to think sideways is only a tad bit sideways?? He IS stressing the fact you will be out of control in a skid when trying to use the rear brake. and someone also posted earlier to "bring bandages if you try to use the rear in an emergency stop."

sensastional!!!! i agree but not from my words but from other peoples... i need to figure out how to copy these quotes and remind some of the readers who obviously have shorter memories than I.

not meaning to insult anyone here, but my word why would the manufacturers put the brakes on bike if they are soooo dangerous. why would they not just fix the proble out of fear for lawsuit??

to give a ne rider the advice that a rear brake will cause a skid is absurd. give them the full info, yes it may cause a skid, but use it and learn to use it.

i mean the throttle will flip you over backwards if used improperly with the clutch!! so we should push are bikes with our feet??? because using the throttle could kill you??? if this is sensationalism then i apologize i feel that i am stressing the point so people pay attention.Sorry

[altersys]

You're sensationalizing because no one is suggesting you improperly use the front brake either. Your post suggested that, in order to supposedly prove a point that front brake use only is not a good idea. But knowing you are an intelligent person, I know you wouldn't really believe that slamming on the fronts is what people want to do, so you must have been using that as a sensational argument against not using the rears. The people in this discussion that are arguing against rear brake use under heavy braking probably already know that you don't just grab a handful of brake when you want to panic stop... give them that much respect...

-Alt

[altersys]

And just to reiterate MY position on this topic... i think rear brake overuse is dangerous, and could occur with a less experienced rider that often uses the rear in normal riding. I believe that I am one of those riders, so I am conscious of when I use the rear. That said, I also believe that at the beginning of an emergency stop, it could help to use a little rear, but by the time you are heavy on the fronts, you should not be using the rear at all because the normal force is VERY low, possible even zero if you are close to stoppie territory (max deceleration).

I find the rear brake useful on low grip surfaces where I need maneuverability, and I use it for parking lots/U-turns. But I don't touch it much under faster conditions/heavy braking. Maybe I use it a little on light braking just to keep the pads bedded and to relieve the fronts a little.

-Alt

[jrfuisz]

Can we all agree to get along and settle this disagreement by simply calling Duc NA and asking them why they included the rear brake?

Or, if we are going to ask a racer, can we ask a few who get paid to race for a living? Nothing agianst WERA but any fool can race as an amateur . Let's get a group of professionals racers to weigh in.

Or, somebody can find a riding skills book that discusses braking and maybe share that information? Or maybe a riding school?

I've only been to American Supercamp and I had a in depth discussion with the man about this topic. Two brake affair per Danny W. I argued against it, but like many aspects of riding he convinced me I was wrong. I got religion after 30 years (counting from my JR50 days) or 18+ (counting from my SRX600 days - i.e. first street bike).

[EvilSteve]

Originally Posted by Scott S.

Which makes the rest of your post meaningless.

Ah, sorry, no, it doesn't.

If you're suggesting my inexperience automatically disproves theories that have been empirically tested and prooven by experienced riders you're being illogical.

It sure is easy to dismiss someones argument that you don't agree with based on some personal information but it's not really accurate or logical.

If you can disprove my argument some other way I'd be happy to hear it because I want to do things right, not just the way I think.

I did mention that I've locked the front before, I'd say that was at maybe a bit over 20 mph, maybe 25. I didn't use the rear in this case.

Dan

[altersys]

Originally Posted by jrfuisz

Can we all agree to get along and settle this disagreement by simply calling Duc NA and asking them why they included the rear brake?

nice veiled attempt at sensibility :