 Braking complex
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
So my long time riding friend who has many many years of riding experience uses his front brake to turn into a roadside park, and over he goes, damaging the bike, and damaging him as well, but all turned out okay.....This happened early last year, and for some reason, the front brake on MY bike seems to be taboo to operate ever since! His incident stuck in my brain, and taught me about this whole "complex" that your (or MY) brain will be stored and decided (without my permission) to use as a defense mechanism! This is a real phenomena that nearly got me seriously injured a few weeks ago...Topping a hill at 65 mph, traffic completely stopped, and that defense mechanism kicks in, rendering my front brake "off limits", therefore locking up the rear tire putting me into a uncontrollable "fish tale" that was only corrected when the rear brake was released...Fortunately, I was barely able to maneuver my bike around the traffic, "over the valley and through the Dale" at about 45 mph, and receiving a "stress test" in the process! We both came out unscathed, this time... Took the bike out last Saturday, duplicated the conditions, and hit the front brake really hard, along with the rear brake, and the bike promptly stopped well within the distance encountered before. Lesson learned: Don't let other peoples incidents have an effect on your riding skills..As silly as that sounds, it happens, and it happened to me. The mind is a complex thing, and will play tricks on you that you would never imagine...Just my 2 cents~!
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Most of your stopping power is up front but don't grab a hand full either, that can lock the wheel and cause you to wash out.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,464 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,464 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
The mind is a complex thing, and will play tricks on you that you would never imagine...Just my 2 cents~!
I have to reset my brain for each bike I ride. The Big Ruckus (PS250) has linked brakes (weird) which caused one pucker moment when I tried to trail brake on a U-turn. Yeah, there was a crowd. I've reached out for the clutch on it and the 150cc China scooter, only to remember that they're brakes. OOPS! 
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
Quote:
Most of your stopping power is up front but don't grab a hand full either, that can lock the wheel and cause you to wash out.
I was and still am a little bit of an offender on this, not sure why but i barely use my rear brakes unless i need to stop in a serious hurry, and i have been known to grab to much to quickly the odd time, i suppose my only saving grace is i am also as quick to let the sucker go once i figured out what i did, now that i have the storm with ABS, it will be interesting to see what happens if i ever do it again.......
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
It's all about finesse with the two brakes. Experience teaches the best combination for each and every situation. But as a rule of thumb... apply more front brake than back, while still use BOTH during a slowdown or stop.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
To be honest I rarely use the back brake, sort of keep it in reserve. use it sometimes just to clean the disc. 
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 877
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 877 |
Only time I don't use the front brake is when on dirt/gravel. Otherwise, both get used and the front usually more than the rear.
Cheers,
Brad
To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Only time I don't use the front brake is when on dirt/gravel. Otherwise, both get used and the front usually more than the rear.
Cheers,
Brad
When it is potentially slippery like sand, gravel, standing water, tar snakes, water on painted area, etc I will usually use the back brake more. The goal is to stay alert to conditions and act accordingly. I also tend to use the back back only when making very slow turns.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 514 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 514 Likes: 2 |
I try to save my brakes as much as possible so i just put my feet down and slow down that way, gotta watch for potholes though.It ripped a heel right off my boots. If you believe this i also have a bridge to sell you! Honestly though i use both brakes but the front does most of the work and the rear settles the bike in a corner. 
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Re: Braking complex
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 1 |
I use my rear brake as much as the front. However when maneuvering at low speeds such as parking lots, gravel drives etc it is all rear brake. The one thing that always stuck with me from my motorcycle safety course is to always straighten the bike out before applying the front brake. Any time the front wheel is turned and you grab the front brake it is going to pull the bike down, where as applying only the rear brake will make the bike want to stand up. You should check out the Ride Like A Pro videos.When coming to a stop, at a light or a quick stop, I always straighten the bike and apply both brakes.
Last edited by JD13; 06/11/2015 12:21 PM.
2006 865 Neon Blue/Jet Black Speedmaster,790cams, TTP Stage 2 Firestarter, Epco Exhaust with 10.25" Samson Vrod baffles, UNI pods with 40 pilots, 150 mains,Thruxton needles, 3 turns out.
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