Lets take a Brake!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lets take a Brake!
I use both brakes on the street bob most of the time but when I'm riding the old ironhead sportster I only use the rear. Mostly because all I have on it is a rear mechanical drum brake. Its very fun in Orlando traffic.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lets take a Brake!
The front brake has the most stopping power due to the shift of the bike's weight bias when braking. In most cases I use both or sometimes just the front (slow traffic) .... but .... you have to be careful using the front brake on slick surfaces at slow speeds when turning. If riding on a wet surface, gritty surface or smooth/sealed concrete I tend to favor the rear more because if you tap the front lever too hard and the front wheel pushes out you will be down before you realize it. I've seen this happen in parking lots numerous times and it only takes a moment.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lets take a Brake!
I use both because I know that needs to be my natural motor skill. If a sudden emegency happens I want my body to react and use BOTH brakes. There will be no time to think about it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 3
From: Palm Beach
RE: Lets take a Brake!
Downshift plus front and rear brake until down to 15 mph.
NEVER, EVER, NEVER,EVER, NEVERfront brake under 15mph... rear only.
Never Flinstone... shoes are more expensive than brakes.
NEVER, EVER, NEVER,EVER, NEVERfront brake under 15mph... rear only.
Never Flinstone... shoes are more expensive than brakes.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 867
Likes: 1
From: Texas
RE: Lets take a Brake!
Using both will stop you quicker than either one.
[:@]Rear brake only will get you killed.
Front brake only may get you killed. [
]
Learning to use both to slow from even 30mph is best.
If you are at 5mph or slower rear brake only is fine and even preferred.
Front brake at slow speeds is more likely to make the forks dive and causes loss of balance.
For quickest stops gradually squeeze the brakes applying more and more pressure the slower you get.
Why? Because at speed the friction patch of your front tire is very small, once you begin braking with a light squeeze the bike's weight shifts to the front tire and the the friction patch grows as the tire compresses, giving you more friction, thus you can apply more and more brake as it grows. Practice this and you'll be amazed at how much more quickly you can stop.
Rear brake only is wrong because of this weight shift from rear to front when slowing. Less weight on the rear tire means less friction, which means less stopping power.
Front brake does most of the work but rear is important to do the rest.
Rear only is fine in the parking lot and slow maneuvers. But at even 30 mpm rear brake only can take 200+ feet to stop. Way too long if some blue hair on a cell phone pulls out in front of you.
One other thing, shift down into first just before you stop and check your rear view mirrors in case you need to take off again quickly.
Ride safe.
[:@]Rear brake only will get you killed.
Front brake only may get you killed. [
]Learning to use both to slow from even 30mph is best.
If you are at 5mph or slower rear brake only is fine and even preferred.
Front brake at slow speeds is more likely to make the forks dive and causes loss of balance.
For quickest stops gradually squeeze the brakes applying more and more pressure the slower you get.
Why? Because at speed the friction patch of your front tire is very small, once you begin braking with a light squeeze the bike's weight shifts to the front tire and the the friction patch grows as the tire compresses, giving you more friction, thus you can apply more and more brake as it grows. Practice this and you'll be amazed at how much more quickly you can stop.
Rear brake only is wrong because of this weight shift from rear to front when slowing. Less weight on the rear tire means less friction, which means less stopping power.
Front brake does most of the work but rear is important to do the rest.
Rear only is fine in the parking lot and slow maneuvers. But at even 30 mpm rear brake only can take 200+ feet to stop. Way too long if some blue hair on a cell phone pulls out in front of you.
One other thing, shift down into first just before you stop and check your rear view mirrors in case you need to take off again quickly.
Ride safe.