How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
70% front 30% rear
This ratio really does work.
I got my Road King last fall, did some group rides and solo's. Found myself contantly locking the rear brake but never going down.
Took the advanced safety course put on by the Army. They stressed the 70-30 rule. I've been practicing it and havn't had any more problems.
You really have to go lightly on the rear brakes. You leg and foot has a lot more power than your hand and arm.
Hope that helps.
This ratio really does work.
I got my Road King last fall, did some group rides and solo's. Found myself contantly locking the rear brake but never going down.
Took the advanced safety course put on by the Army. They stressed the 70-30 rule. I've been practicing it and havn't had any more problems.
You really have to go lightly on the rear brakes. You leg and foot has a lot more power than your hand and arm.
Hope that helps.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
ORIGINAL: v10silver
Is it me or there something else possibly going on there?
Is it me or there something else possibly going on there?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
ORIGINAL: SCRider
I came from riding dirt bikes, and the rule of thumb for dirt bikes is to always jump on the rear brake and be very careful with the front. So my first inclination was to jump on the rear brake in a panic situation. I realized this could be a dangerous problem in a panic situation, so to get over this natural habit, I now ALWAYS grab the front brakes first, bring the bike to almost a stop and then begin applying and switching the braking power to the rear brake. Now, my first PANIC instinct is to grab the front brakes.
Didn't mean to be so long winded, but this worked for me.[sm=yikesomg.gif]
I came from riding dirt bikes, and the rule of thumb for dirt bikes is to always jump on the rear brake and be very careful with the front. So my first inclination was to jump on the rear brake in a panic situation. I realized this could be a dangerous problem in a panic situation, so to get over this natural habit, I now ALWAYS grab the front brakes first, bring the bike to almost a stop and then begin applying and switching the braking power to the rear brake. Now, my first PANIC instinct is to grab the front brakes.
Didn't mean to be so long winded, but this worked for me.[sm=yikesomg.gif]
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 4
From: Log home in SE Michigan full time. Log cabin in east TN, Smoky Mountians part time
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
ORIGINAL: 1Harleyrdr
If you are riding your bike like you drive your car I suggest you stop riding. Every Machine on the Hwy except other bikes are Larger take longer to stop and do not handle as well asyour bike. If you are having such a hard time with the rear brakes, maybe you should get an older bike with drum rear. Adjust the little wing nut so the rear will not lock up. Get used to that then get back on a big bike. Learn how your bike reacts. Go out on a back road and start learning how to emergency brake on your bike. If you do not do this in practice How will you Do it when you have a 4000lb Truck pull out in front of you, then see you and jab on the brakes? Motorcycles do what they are told to do by the rider. It leans how you lean, stops by your fingers and toes, goes by your right hand, and will kill you if you aim it the wrong way with little or no kwnolege of how it reacts to your inputs. A 800lb touring bike should not be your "first Road bike"
If you are riding your bike like you drive your car I suggest you stop riding. Every Machine on the Hwy except other bikes are Larger take longer to stop and do not handle as well asyour bike. If you are having such a hard time with the rear brakes, maybe you should get an older bike with drum rear. Adjust the little wing nut so the rear will not lock up. Get used to that then get back on a big bike. Learn how your bike reacts. Go out on a back road and start learning how to emergency brake on your bike. If you do not do this in practice How will you Do it when you have a 4000lb Truck pull out in front of you, then see you and jab on the brakes? Motorcycles do what they are told to do by the rider. It leans how you lean, stops by your fingers and toes, goes by your right hand, and will kill you if you aim it the wrong way with little or no kwnolege of how it reacts to your inputs. A 800lb touring bike should not be your "first Road bike"
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Monroe, Louisiana
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
I locked mine one time very briefly riding 2 up when a dog wanderd into our path. Just got a couple little barks out of the back tire as I got on the front and eased off the back. I know I should have been on the front first, but instinct is to hit the pedal. The back brake does lock very easy.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
ORIGINAL: mazz
all good advise but remember when that back tire locks up stay on that break until you stop
it will launch you if you left off the break in a skid
all good advise but remember when that back tire locks up stay on that break until you stop
it will launch you if you left off the break in a skid
Bike was ok, but the tupperware on the batwing was beat up, minor scrapes all around. I was about 60 miles from a city of any size, and about 175 from home. I decided to John Wayne it back to Austin. Took 6 aspirins, and got back on the bike. Hell, it only hurt when I hit a big bump, or slowed down, or sped up, or breathed...
Learned a good lesson, you can't practice your panic stops enough, and once you commit to that rear brake, you better marry the bitch cause she's got you by the nads.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
Technique and experience. More front brake less rear brake. The motorcycle training course is not for sissies. It's a good idea for everyone. You may check out availability in your area. Could save your life as well as your bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From:
RE: How easily does YOUR rear tire lockup
"The first instinct is to put your foot into the rear brake since we've been riding cars all our lives."
I would make the slight distinction that it is an autonomic response, or a conditioned response from lots of practice driving a car/truck.
That is why it is SO Important to practice, so that when on the bike it becomes a conditioned response (requiring no conscious thought) to squeeze the front brakes first and bring on the rear brakes gently.
I would make the slight distinction that it is an autonomic response, or a conditioned response from lots of practice driving a car/truck.
That is why it is SO Important to practice, so that when on the bike it becomes a conditioned response (requiring no conscious thought) to squeeze the front brakes first and bring on the rear brakes gently.