Keep dropping the damn bike!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
I always seem to do better using less front and more rear brake when finishing the stop. Especially when riding 2 up coming to a slow stop. The 40 mph video is good but for slow stops it doesn't work for me. He is on the brakes hard in that video and the ABS does it's job very well, glad I have it.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Have you ever stopped on an uphill incline, grabbed the front brake to hold you there, both feet down only to find that the front brake only will NOT hold you where you want to be.....sliding backwards in the gravel or even sliding backwards leaving a black mark on the pavement. Been there done that and let me tell you that it sems like it taakes forever to get the right foot back up on the brake. Just after it happens, you will want to cough really hard to get the $h*t out of your neck. Especially if you're surrounded by other bikes that you would fall into.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 12
From:
I can understand the older riders saying to only use the rear brake as this is how it was done way back. This is NOT the case now though. On standard roads in normal weather, the front brake is THE best brake you have. This is what I teach for the MSF and RidersEdge teaches the same thing.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Actually the point of the video is ABS lengthens stopping distance. The shorter stop in the video is pure braking without activating ABS. The longer stop (still shorter than most riders can accomplish at about 71 feet), is "pure ABS, where the brakes are "snapped" on, so the machine goes straight into ABS, before weight transfer occurs. The shortest stop is achieved by proper braking, which is - by definition - correct application of both brake. The benefit of ABS is that it corrects for braking errors.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 306
Likes: 2
I suppose that all makes sense. Those conditions in the video are ideal though. I would assume the outcome on a rainy oily road would be very different. And I would venture to say probably 95% of the riders on the road cant out brake an ABS system anyway. But, great video and great riding.
Harris
Denver, CO
www.youtube.com/conedown
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 529
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
Me too. Less front and more rear when finishing the stop has improved my stops significantly especially 2-up riding.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 7
When I first got the Limited I went to make a U-turn (two-up) on a divided highway, uphill grade. As I slowed down (almost at a complete stop) I remember applying pressure on the front brake and turned the bars left and the bike started to go over (I got pretty nervous and recovered). On a second occasion; when I moved into a new house, I backed the bike down the driveway and hit a dip, lost footing and yup, over she went. So yup, crap happens.
As others have said, get the Ride Like a Pro DVD. Watch it a few times and practice, practice, practice. Just remember when you are slowing down and turning the bars dont hit that front brake. I have gotten into the habit of anytime Im slowing down and turning the bars, its throttle, clutch, and rear brake only!!! Good luck.
BTW, I'm only 5'8" (29" inseam) and I'm handling the Limited without too much problem these days. Did I mention to practice.
As others have said, get the Ride Like a Pro DVD. Watch it a few times and practice, practice, practice. Just remember when you are slowing down and turning the bars dont hit that front brake. I have gotten into the habit of anytime Im slowing down and turning the bars, its throttle, clutch, and rear brake only!!! Good luck.
BTW, I'm only 5'8" (29" inseam) and I'm handling the Limited without too much problem these days. Did I mention to practice.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 174
Likes: 7
Have you ever stopped on an uphill incline, grabbed the front brake to hold you there, both feet down only to find that the front brake only will NOT hold you where you want to be.....sliding backwards in the gravel or even sliding backwards leaving a black mark on the pavement. Been there done that and let me tell you that it sems like it taakes forever to get the right foot back up on the brake. Just after it happens, you will want to cough really hard to get the $h*t out of your neck. Especially if you're surrounded by other bikes that you would fall into.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
After reading this thread I went out this afternoon and tried using both brakes all the way to a complete stop. I usually use both then just before putting my foot down I let off the front and only use the rear .
It was a little wobbly at first but I was still in complete control and it got a lot better after just a few stops. It will take a little getting used to but it seems that with a little practice, it's gonna work great.
Thanks OP for starting this thread and thanks to all the posters that brought this to my attention. I may have learned something very useful. The true test will be when my wife gets on the back but I'll have lots of practice before that.
I'll know more later.
It was a little wobbly at first but I was still in complete control and it got a lot better after just a few stops. It will take a little getting used to but it seems that with a little practice, it's gonna work great.
Thanks OP for starting this thread and thanks to all the posters that brought this to my attention. I may have learned something very useful. The true test will be when my wife gets on the back but I'll have lots of practice before that.
I'll know more later.