I guess it doesn't matter what bike forum you go to...You can never explain the proper way to operate a motorcycle to someone. "I just lean 'er into the turn" "I use the rear brake only"... I've read TOTW I and II,Done the California Superbike School,raced motocross and roadraced...Not great at either but a lot of fun.

Point being?? you may as well argue politics instead, Wait,that will turn into an exercise in futility too.

I have read every page of this thread and there are some people well versed on how to ride( you know who you are) and some opinionated ignorant ones too.

Let's start a topic on countersteering.:icon_m rgreen:
Ride safe and have fun.

 

This is pathetic. A motorcycle forum and so many that don't know how to ride and brake. When you brake the weight shifts forward. The front is the most important when you are braking hard. A motorcycle racer or sport bike rider can lift the rear tire when braking hard. At those time you don't want to use any rear brake. But this depends on the motorcycle. Most Harleys sit low and don't have high performance brakes. You don't see too many Harleys doing front end stands but you still want to use more front during an emergency stop. Cycles that are long and low will require more rear braking.

When the traction is poor you won't get as much weight shifting to the front. So when you are in the rain, on gravel or any other time you don't have as much traction you should use more rear brakes. Also use the rear at very low speeds such as in a parking lot.

Everyone that rides should practice emergency stops. When you are on the highway and no one is around hit the brakes hard. Use more of the front than rear.

If you lock up your rear tire it's not hard to keep the bike up. Release the rear brake slightly. Don't panic and don't completely release the brake. If you lock up the front you'll be on the ground faster but if you are experienced you'll notice it immediately and be able to release it a bit. If you have anti-lock brakes they will take away the guesswork.

One more thing: keep your fricken feet up until you come to a complete stop. People that put their feet down an inch or 2 above the ground half a block before they stop show everyone that they are an amateur that is unsure about being able to keep the bike up. Some people think they should put their feet down in case the bike starts to tip over. You won't be able to hold your cycle up unless you are at a complete stop. And if you do try to stop when you are starting to tip over you certainly will fall. If you start to tip over turn the direction you are falling. Didn't your dad tell you that when you were about 6 years old the first time you rode a bicycle?

 

We could do an entire thread on that topic; that's one of my major pet peeves, foot draggers: Pick your damn feet up!

 

I see these idiots all the time...

 

We could do an entire thread on that topic; that's one of my major pet peeves, foot draggers: Pick your damn feet up!

AGREED !!! If you drag your feet YOU are not in control

 

Here's how you do it.

 

Here is the math. Mu is the coefficient of friction. It runs from about .8 to about 1.3 depending on your tires and the surface. Most of the tires you guys run should be in the .9 range. The brake balance front to rear is very CG sensitive. Have fun playing.

http://www.nbs-stl.com/motorcycle/brakeCalcs10.xls

The goal is to have the same traction reserve front and rear in any given situation.

 

I never attended any classes or courses, other than Advanced Dirt eating and Road Rash Sucks 101. Been riding over 45 years and all I can say is I don't really think about it. I've locked front and rear on a FL while sliding at a lean, front mainly, and those times it's definitely downshift and rear only. I use my front brake at low speed which all the experts say will put you down. So I don't know any answers that are by the book.
BTW - other than straight line racing can't say I ever look at my tach for shifting either.

 

I don't know....foot dragging is very effective if you want the wife to let you buy new boots! Not good for much else though I'm afraid...

 

I know I'm in the wrong place now. I don't think I've ever used the words Wife and Let in the same sentence.