Braking Technique

depends on the situation.

 

well, if my hands arent on the handle bars i use the back brake.
if i am sitting on the tank with my feet in front of me i use the front brake.
if i feel like sliding the ass end around i hop on the back brake.

in most situations i brake with equal pressure front and back

 

I'm going to say this for cornering and whatnot, since (I hope) it's pretty standard knowledge on how to brake at a stoplight. Essentially the same technique could be used either way.


When approaching a corner, My first step is to downshift. May it be one or two gears, I'll get to where my bike is slowing itself down via engine breaking, generally upwards of 9k RPM. This slows the bike down and prepares it for the corner without disrupting the chassis. If more braking is needed, I will use my front and try to get any actual brake use out of the way before I enter the corner. The rear brake is used only occasionally, generally if I feel I'm understeering a bit or if I'm entering a corner way too hot (which is quite rare these days).

My rear is just not used too often anywhere as it supplies maybe 5-7% of my stopping force. It is more for guidance in a corner as opposed to actually stopping the bike. Look at the tiny single rotor on the rear compared to the two massive ones on the front....

 

As you brake harder the rear brake has increasingly little effect. I only use my rear brake much in parking lots, it makes sharp turns smoother.

 

WOT until you see Jesus, then throw out the anchor. :mrgreen:

 

I count to three after i see GOD 8)

 

I apply all my breaking technique on the track, the same could be transferred to the street, if you're really interested, pm me and I'll be happy to enlighten you.

 

What's a back brake?

 

I hope to be so enlightened on the track soon

 

I use the brakes to brake, and the engine to accelerate for street riding. I down shift as the RPMs get down around idle, blip the throttle a hair and shift. I use both front and back brake most of the time. The front brake only some of the time. With cross-linked brakes the front level applies light rear brakes anyway, so I'm just keeping the habit of using both brakes manually.

Brake pads cost less and are easier to change than clutch plates.

 

i grab the lever really really hard.

but in reality. when i down shift i lightly put pressure on the rear brake while sitting back on the seat to keep the traction maxed out and then grab a bunch of the hand lever

 

i try to touch the lever to the grip as quickly as my hand is capable of doing so.

 

cost less? yes, in most cases. easier? marginally at best on most sportbikes. i can change out a clutch package faster than i can swap pads on three calipers.

besides, if you're revmatching, you're not wearing out the friction discs much.

 

I try to mostly use engine braking on the street. That way, if I have misjudged a corner, I have plan 'B' - brake.

 

I never use the back brake. That is nothing but trouble looking to happen. I just read a story about a guy on this forum that locked up his back brake didnt I? He was behind some cars going 4mph.. he freaked out, then locked up his back and dumped, I think?

 

+1

 

The rear brake is an invaluable tool, when used properly. (kinda like the front brake) Just because someone used it improperly doesn't mean you shouldn't use it.

It seems we've gone from the old-school cruiser crowd that rarely if ever used the front brake, to sport riders that rarely if ever use the rear brake. A motorcycle has TWO brakes for a reason, learn to use them both properlye and you will be a far better, safer rider.

 

flame me all you want but i love my rear brake. i practice emergency stops at least 3 times on empty backraods. i can see a noticable difference when stopping with both brakes compared to just teh front..