Proper braking what tips
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,241
From: NC, USA
I try to use both brakes as much as possible. At a stop I keep the bike in gear and clutch in, both feet down simultaneously in case one hits a rock, sand or slick oil spot. I stay off the front in low speed parking lot turns.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,047
From: Texas, USA
I use both brakes to stop. The only time I use the rear brake only is at parking lot speeds. At parking lot speeds, if you use the front brake with the handlebar turned, there is a good chance the bike will go down. That likelihood increases as the speed decreases.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Lombard
At the motorcycle training course that I took, the instructor told us that we should only put our left foot down at a stop. The right foot should be on the brake, bike in gear with the clutch pulled in. He explained that this puts you in the best position to take evasive action as quickly as possible. I was used to putting both feet down and it's been hard to break that habit. Has anybody else been taught this?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,149
From: Robbm sucks
Both brakes, if course, but unless I know its going to be long light, I only put my left foot down, and keep my foot on the brake. Am I the only one who does this? 
I'm 6' 3" on a Dyna, so I can stand on both feet and not even touch my bike. Keeping it up with one foot is no problem.
I'm 6' 3" on a Dyna, so I can stand on both feet and not even touch my bike. Keeping it up with one foot is no problem. I come to a stop and left foot down only as well. Right foot up, clutch in, 1st gear. This is what they taught us to do at the MSV class. There are exceptions, if I know I'm not going anywhere for a while and there's already traffic stopped behind me. Sometimes you gotta give that clutch hand a break. I'm only 5'5 though.. I barely flatfoot.
Road Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 188
From: West Chester, Ohio
I use more rear than front after i downshift to a slow speed. At higher speeds i use front to get slowed down faster if needed. When i come to a stop i usually put both feet down just out of habit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
As your speed decreases, the more you turn the handlebars to steer instead of leaning the bike. If you lock the front wheel with the bars turned too far, you WILL go down, and fast!Even though I learned on dirt bikes, I always use both brakes when stopping, modulating pressure front to rear as conditions warrant.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Both brakes together in normal riding - but heavy front brake bias. Probably 70%+ front
Back brake only at parking lot speeds - plus friction zone on the clutch.
I stop and start with my left foot down and right foot on the back brake.
Back brake only at parking lot speeds - plus friction zone on the clutch.
I stop and start with my left foot down and right foot on the back brake.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,819
Likes: 38,670
From: Post Falls, ID
At the motorcycle training course that I took, the instructor told us that we should only put our left foot down at a stop. The right foot should be on the brake, bike in gear with the clutch pulled in. He explained that this puts you in the best position to take evasive action as quickly as possible. I was used to putting both feet down and it's been hard to break that habit. Has anybody else been taught this?