GPTECHMAN
07-22-2005, 11:20 AM
REAR BRAKE - "Should I, or shouldn't I"?
Im posting this for something that I read and thought that it might be helpful. Already posted something like this before, but a new perspective always helps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
I don't mean to argue with the expert riders-I am a newbie. The rear brake, in the hands of an expert, can be used to "settle the chassis" in high speed situations. But, for most newer riders, the rear brake will CAUSE more crashes than it will help avoid imho.
The rear brake can be "your friend", or "your worst enemy", depending upon how, when, and where it's used.
As Mike accurately stated, if the level of braking (at a particular moment) reaches a point where there's enough grip on the pavement surface, and slowing force to cause the front of the bike to settle down to the point that maximum "front" braking is being achieved .... the rear tire on most lightweight bikes will be nearly weightless (or in some cases, the rear tire literally off the ground). Obvously at such moments any thoughts on using the rear brake as a adjunct to the process of slowing the motorcycle's forward progress would be ludicrous.
However does that mean that rear brake use should be totally avoided? Well, that's a tough one to answer with a straight "yes"/"no" response, as there's so many variables that must be factored into each and every specific instanance while riding a bike. Rather than try to give a black/white answer, I decided to take the approach of just listing some key points for folks to consider in use of the rear brake on a bike. Here's a quick "Pros" and "Cons" list of items that comes to mind.
Consider them as you may, and make your own decision. Hopefully you'll adopt a process of making the rear brake use decision on a very dynamic - "case-by-case" basis - looking at all factors of the current riding situation .... rather than a semi-religious decision to absolutely swear "off" (or "on") rear brake use.
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PROS (when rear brake use has value):
1) Anytime a rider finds their bike off the paved surface (dirt, gravel, sand, etc). For example, this would apply if a rider blows a turn, and runs off the pavement.
2) When riding "2-Up". Much more weight will exist (and remain) over the rear wheel during the entire braking cycle, reducing the probabilty for rear tire "skidding", and increasing rear braking potential.
3) Wet/slippery road conditions. The reduced amount of forward weight transfer (more weight remaining on rear tire) that results from front brake application, in limited traction conditions, increases the percentage of overall braking contribution that the rear brake can provide.
3) Light, initial application (followed by a full release), as a "chassis settling" / "chassis squatting" tool, milliseconds prior to start of full application of front brakes (Front brakes will be used exclusively as the actual slowing device). NOTE: This is a technique targeted more for intermediate, to advanced riders, and should likely be attempted with great caution by newer riders (aka "front brake only use" for them, under normal braking conditions).
4) Light application use (again as a "chassis settling" / "chassis squatting" tool), to stabilize the bike while navigating turns which exhibit rough (bumpy) pavement surfaces, on technical backroads.
5) Light application use for minor "line tightening" corrections, in turns (again a more intermediate/advanced rider targeted technique)
************************************************** ***********************
CONS (when rear brake use avoidance is recommended):
1) Newer riders should minimize rear brake use under normal braking conditions (best to learn full power/potential for "front brake use", early in their learning curve, to prevent panic "rear brake lock-ups")
2) Anytime AFTER the hard "front" braking phase has begun, during rapid slowing efforts on a bike.
3) Sudden accident-avoidance incidents (i.e. "car suddenly turns left/right, in front of you", "traffic suddenly stops in front of you", etc.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this is of some interest, or help.
Im posting this for something that I read and thought that it might be helpful. Already posted something like this before, but a new perspective always helps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
I don't mean to argue with the expert riders-I am a newbie. The rear brake, in the hands of an expert, can be used to "settle the chassis" in high speed situations. But, for most newer riders, the rear brake will CAUSE more crashes than it will help avoid imho.
The rear brake can be "your friend", or "your worst enemy", depending upon how, when, and where it's used.
As Mike accurately stated, if the level of braking (at a particular moment) reaches a point where there's enough grip on the pavement surface, and slowing force to cause the front of the bike to settle down to the point that maximum "front" braking is being achieved .... the rear tire on most lightweight bikes will be nearly weightless (or in some cases, the rear tire literally off the ground). Obvously at such moments any thoughts on using the rear brake as a adjunct to the process of slowing the motorcycle's forward progress would be ludicrous.
However does that mean that rear brake use should be totally avoided? Well, that's a tough one to answer with a straight "yes"/"no" response, as there's so many variables that must be factored into each and every specific instanance while riding a bike. Rather than try to give a black/white answer, I decided to take the approach of just listing some key points for folks to consider in use of the rear brake on a bike. Here's a quick "Pros" and "Cons" list of items that comes to mind.
Consider them as you may, and make your own decision. Hopefully you'll adopt a process of making the rear brake use decision on a very dynamic - "case-by-case" basis - looking at all factors of the current riding situation .... rather than a semi-religious decision to absolutely swear "off" (or "on") rear brake use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROS (when rear brake use has value):
1) Anytime a rider finds their bike off the paved surface (dirt, gravel, sand, etc). For example, this would apply if a rider blows a turn, and runs off the pavement.
2) When riding "2-Up". Much more weight will exist (and remain) over the rear wheel during the entire braking cycle, reducing the probabilty for rear tire "skidding", and increasing rear braking potential.
3) Wet/slippery road conditions. The reduced amount of forward weight transfer (more weight remaining on rear tire) that results from front brake application, in limited traction conditions, increases the percentage of overall braking contribution that the rear brake can provide.
3) Light, initial application (followed by a full release), as a "chassis settling" / "chassis squatting" tool, milliseconds prior to start of full application of front brakes (Front brakes will be used exclusively as the actual slowing device). NOTE: This is a technique targeted more for intermediate, to advanced riders, and should likely be attempted with great caution by newer riders (aka "front brake only use" for them, under normal braking conditions).
4) Light application use (again as a "chassis settling" / "chassis squatting" tool), to stabilize the bike while navigating turns which exhibit rough (bumpy) pavement surfaces, on technical backroads.
5) Light application use for minor "line tightening" corrections, in turns (again a more intermediate/advanced rider targeted technique)
************************************************** ***********************
CONS (when rear brake use avoidance is recommended):
1) Newer riders should minimize rear brake use under normal braking conditions (best to learn full power/potential for "front brake use", early in their learning curve, to prevent panic "rear brake lock-ups")
2) Anytime AFTER the hard "front" braking phase has begun, during rapid slowing efforts on a bike.
3) Sudden accident-avoidance incidents (i.e. "car suddenly turns left/right, in front of you", "traffic suddenly stops in front of you", etc.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this is of some interest, or help.