Front brake usage?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Years ago on my racing bicycle, I was rounding a corner fast and a group of skate boarders where hanging out on the street. I slammed the breaks as hard as I could to not hit them, giving the front break way too much squeeze. Me and the bike cart-wheeled over and I landed with a thud flat on my back. Knocked the wind right out of me. After that, I'm very leery of giving any bike too much front break.
No brake is ever meant to be "slammed... as hard as I could..."
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 348
From: Ione, CA
Years ago on my racing bicycle, I was rounding a corner fast and a group of skate boarders where hanging out on the street. I slammed the breaks as hard as I could to not hit them, giving the front break way too much squeeze. Me and the bike cart-wheeled over and I landed with a thud flat on my back. Knocked the wind right out of me. After that, I'm very leery of giving any bike too much front break.
A bicycle weighs maybe 40lbs. tops, has a four-foot wheelbase and an extremely high center of gravity. There is absolutely no correlation to a motorcycle with a nearly six foot wheel base, weighing 700+ lbs. and having a low center of gravity.
You are going to get in WAY over your head someday if you cannot master braking. And that is too bad because that red scoot of your is a knockout... ;- )
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 862
Likes: 3
From: East Tennessee
Front Brake
All bikes are not the same. Put about 50k miles on a 1974 Norton Commando and rode all day and very seldom used the rear. On the Dragon and Blue Ridge Parkway. I don't completely understand the science in a H-D and Norton but I had no problem hauling the NORTON down from a ton and front brake only, front tire smoking. Front was about the only brake I used and at any speed. Didn't ride for about 35 years and obtained my Heritage and took 2 slow speed dumps for this slow learner to ask questions. Still not good at using front at slow speed but it must be used as required.
I say again, Bikes are not the same. You would have to OWN a Norton to understand the outstanding way they operate. Apples & Oranges. NASCAR & Indy.
I say again, Bikes are not the same. You would have to OWN a Norton to understand the outstanding way they operate. Apples & Oranges. NASCAR & Indy.
Last edited by CHOPPIN' CHARLIE; Jun 3, 2012 at 08:51 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
A bicycle weighs maybe 40lbs. tops, has a four-foot wheelbase and an extremely high center of gravity. There is absolutely no correlation to a motorcycle with a nearly six foot wheel base, weighing 700+ lbs. and having a low center of gravity.
You are going to get in WAY over your head someday if you cannot master braking. And that is too bad because that red scoot of your is a knockout... ;- )
Oh, and thanks for the compliment! Don't get many in this world of viclas, lol.
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