Scary stuff
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 45
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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?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 612
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From: Milwaukee
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.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24
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From:
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.
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.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
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From: Rochester, NY
RE: Scary stuff
ORIGINAL: crock921
any benefit to braided lines?
any benefit to braided lines?
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Out of Commiefornia!
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 678
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From: Illinois_non-chicago
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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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
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.
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.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From:
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
Phil