Front Brake
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Novice
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Naple, FL
Front Brake
I'm a new rider with just 10 months and 7,500miles on my 2012WG. In the past 3 weeks I've laid bike down twice. 1st time a guy stepped off a curb into roadway; I panicked and got all over the brakes. 2nd time while mid right hand turn I felt I was going too fast and laid it down again.Everyone, and all have been riding their whole lives, say it’s due to how I'm using front brake. Many of them say they only use front brake at the end of astop to get their feet on the ground and say that's what I need too do. One guy has a chopper that doesn't even have a front brake. At 60 years old I love biking but starting to get someserious reservations. Thoughts and advise PLEASE
Last edited by mac5725; Feb 24, 2013 at 08:57 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
Your front break is 70% of your breaking power. You should be using it except for in slow maneuvers where you should only be using your rear brake in combination with the friction zone of your clutch, alway use caution using your brakes in turns fast or slow. Your brakes will stand your bike up at any speed. Anytime you are in a turn to fast you should lightly apply your rear brakes and be aware that the bike will try and stand up on you.
It sounds like what you need is a riding class to help you have a better understanding of the fundamentals of riding.
It sounds like what you need is a riding class to help you have a better understanding of the fundamentals of riding.
Last edited by Captain Smooth; Feb 24, 2013 at 09:13 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
Not trying to be a wise a$$, but have you considered taking a driver's safety course? For those who are less experienced, there's lots of valuable information.
Anytime other than going straight, the front brake is a no no.
When the front wheel is turned or you're leaning into a curve and you apply the front brake, you will dump it almost every time.
Anytime other than going straight, the front brake is a no no.
When the front wheel is turned or you're leaning into a curve and you apply the front brake, you will dump it almost every time.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 724
Likes: 2
[quote=ElectraGlideSteve;10953658]Not trying to be a wise a$$, but have you considered taking a driver's safety course? For those who are less experienced, there's lots of valuable information.
Anytime other than going straight, the front brake is a no no.
When the front wheel is turned or you're leaning into a curve and you apply the front brake, you will dump it almost every time.[/quote
+1 on the first half of his post
-100000 on the second half.
I am continually amazed at all the riders who have been riding for years who don't have a clue. forget getting info from "experienced riders". take an advanced riders class from a pro.
Anytime other than going straight, the front brake is a no no.
When the front wheel is turned or you're leaning into a curve and you apply the front brake, you will dump it almost every time.[/quote
+1 on the first half of his post
-100000 on the second half.
I am continually amazed at all the riders who have been riding for years who don't have a clue. forget getting info from "experienced riders". take an advanced riders class from a pro.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,593
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Always use both all the time. Only time I use rear only is sometime breaking in those interstate ramps that sweep around and get tighter before they open and you probably know that slowing down tends to make bike under-steer and and throttle on does opposite but sometimes (HA) you just need to slow down. However always use both to keep in practice since when you really need to straight line stop the front adds way more then 50% of your stopping power. One problem is until you practice a lot using both normal and then doing it in a panic is different since in a panic you tend to come forward and actually tend to hit rear harder from your body weight and lock rear and in a turn it jumps out. However I know what you are saying. I was in a hard left hand turn and the opposite on coming lane was blocked by a trash truck. I had the road experience to keep looking a the left stopped cars and sure enough about the 6th on came out in my lane trying to pass it all in a blind car. Soon as I ht the brake with the bike turned left made it jump right and left me little choice to attempt to turn back slightly. Only think that saved me was 1. I had already slowed to 25 in a 35 when I expect problem. 2. The guy had the good sense and space to go off road to the left since his wife in the passenger seat was screaming so loud I heard her 20' away. 3. When the bike kicked out and I caught it it turned me left and I was able to squeak thru the middle.
I think until you get a lot more miles and experience you need to slow down. A bike even in perfect weather cannot stop in what you and I have all these years (I am 64) become accustom to in our cars. I know on the interstate I will speed up to stay out of packs but in most all other cases I tend to never be going faster then posted speed.
I think until you get a lot more miles and experience you need to slow down. A bike even in perfect weather cannot stop in what you and I have all these years (I am 64) become accustom to in our cars. I know on the interstate I will speed up to stay out of packs but in most all other cases I tend to never be going faster then posted speed.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Feb 24, 2013 at 09:41 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Take the rider safety course. It teaches you all kinds of things including clutch and brake control. They will get you on a smaller bike and you can practice the oh sh$t braking maneuvers among other things.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: FL
Agree 100% on the rider safety course.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Long Island, NY
Mac5725, best advice I can give you is stop reading these posts and stop talking to your friends. First, take a MSF course and practice all the basic skills.
After you've mastered them and understand how your brakes work, then read all the treads on braking and speak to all your friends since you will then be able to filter out all the BS and learn from those riders who really know what they're talking about.
Also, subscribe to Motorcycle News. Each month there is an article on proficient riding techniques and advice on safely handling real life road situations.
Good luck and ride safe.
After you've mastered them and understand how your brakes work, then read all the treads on braking and speak to all your friends since you will then be able to filter out all the BS and learn from those riders who really know what they're talking about.
Also, subscribe to Motorcycle News. Each month there is an article on proficient riding techniques and advice on safely handling real life road situations.
Good luck and ride safe.
Stage I
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: albany georgia
I'm a new rider with just 10 months and 7,500miles on my 2012WG. In the past 3 weeks I've laid bike down twice. 1st time a guy stepped off a curb into roadway; I panicked and got all over the brakes. 2nd time while mid right hand turn I felt I was going too fast and laid it down again.Everyone, and all have been riding their whole lives, say its due to how I'm using front brake. Many of them say they only use front brake at the end of astop to get their feet on the ground and say that's what I need too do. One guy has a chopper that doesn't even have a front brake. At 60 years old I love biking but starting to get someserious reservations. Thoughts and advise PLEASE
later and ride it like you stole it!