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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:36 PM
  #1  
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Default Scary stuff

I was on the way home this afternoon and the car in front of me waited pretty late to brake and turn left. I applied my brakes, more rear brake than I thought. I hear squelling and thought, hmmm, is that me? The bike started to fish tail to the left and I let off of the brake. It straightened out but needless to say it scared the begeezus out of me. Anybody have this happen to them before?
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:50 PM
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Default RE: Scary stuff

Yep, more then I care to admit, Harleys brakes are not the best.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:29 PM
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Default RE: Scary stuff

locking up the back tire can be a dangerous thing. you are supposed to keep it locked up until you stop though (according to rider's edge). glad to hear you did not get hurt or dump.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:48 PM
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Default RE: Scary stuff

Were you using ANY front brake? You should, really. I have locked up the rear brake on my Fatboy and yeah it's scary! Just be sure you're going in a straight line when you do it!

The front brake will stop you quicker and take more effort to lock up. Using just rear will not stop you fast enough - there's just not enough weight on it, especially when stopping. All the weight transferes to the front, and that's why the rear locks up so easily. I'm just about to put a Performance Machine 6 caliper on the front wheel, with braided line. I have been used to riding a Kawasaki Meanstreak which has dual 6 caliper front brakes, and boy does it stop! Thing is, it has better "feel" so you don't lock it up so easily. With good brakes you can safely stop way quicker than you would think possible.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 10:57 PM
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Default RE: Scary stuff

any benefit to braided lines?
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:35 PM
  #6  
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Default RE: Scary stuff

ORIGINAL: crock921
any benefit to braided lines?
Less or no flex to the line so it feels harder and its easier to control.

The first time I locked my rear up it spooked the hell out of me to. So now I try to plan ahead a bit better so I don't have too.
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:41 PM
  #7  
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Default RE: Scary stuff

Front brake is 80% of your braking power... use it!
 
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:59 PM
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Default RE: Scary stuff

yes........ but it wasn't me that had them locked up it was a young driver behind me with a cell phone stuck in her ear[sm=yikesomg.gif]talk about your a--hole puckering up.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 12:08 AM
  #9  
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Default RE: Scary stuff

ORIGINAL: bigthunder

yes........ but it wasn't me that had them locked up it was a young driver behind me with a cell phone stuck in her ear[sm=yikesomg.gif]talk about your a--hole puckering up.
Now that IS scary.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 12:12 AM
  #10  
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Default RE: Scary stuff

I once locked up my rear brakes on my Softail. It was in the first week I owned it, never since. As said earlier... Use the front brake and remember your training... If you lock the rear brakes, keep on them till you stop. You risk dumping the bike (and you) if you let off early :-(

Phil
 
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