Front Brake - Do you use it?

Hi all,

Mate in work reckons he uses his front brake rather than his back brake when riding.
Now I know from my SV that even if I touch the front brake, just pulling up the path to park the girl, my head near come off!

Mate's got a GSXR1000

Just to clear up this debate, what do you lot do?

Back with a bith of front?
Back only?
Front only?
Not Ar$ed - just wait until I fall off?


Cheers - Mass

mostly use front, just use back brake for low speed braking if engine breaking ins't sufficient.....

how can you not use your front brake ? how did you pass your test ?

Originally Posted by Iansv

mostly use front, just use back brake for low speed braking if engine breaking ins't sufficient.....

how can you not use your front brake ? how did you pass your test ?

Sorry Ian, maybe that cam eacross wrong, do use the front, but not as much as the back...
Maybe just because I'm learning still I guess, but was told when learning to keep off the front brake???? but I do use it..

cheers

I use the front most of the time, infact I hardly use the back unless filtering and I keep it covered at all times when doing that

Originally Posted by The Mass

Sorry Ian, maybe that cam eacross wrong, do use the front, but not as much as the back...
Maybe just because I'm learning still I guess, but was told when learning to keep off the front brake???? but I do use it..

cheers

I think your instructor probably meant keep off the front at low speed and corners not completely

I've heard of quite a few people who only use the front brake, and claim to never use the back. I use mostly front, with a small amount of bac, unless I'm manouvering (e.g. need to brake when filtering), when I'll use more rear.
I was taught that normally you should use about 75% front to 25% rear, or 50-50 in the wet. I used to practice hard braking by leaving it as late as possible to brake at red traffic lights. Only try this when conditions are good and you have warm tyres. You can stop much quicker with the front brake, so get used to using it. If you stamp hard on the rear, you'll lock the tyre easily.

Originally Posted by leesimons

If I used 50/50, I would definitely lock the rear

That's what I was taught when doing the CBT. It's a bit different once you're experienced. I do use less front and more rear in the wet though.

You need more rear brake on cruisers than on sports bikes. I was used to using a lot of rear brake on the Harley, especially when filtering. When I got the Ducati, I started off riding the same way and would end up boiling the rear brake fluid. I had to improve my riding style so that I didn't brake so much when filtering.

Well well....I've actually learnt something today!

Cheers you lot !


Maybe it's just me, a bit heavy handed on the brake lever with my right hand, will be learning that one then - VERY SOON!!

Nice 1

Keep up the good work you SV'rs and Others

I use front brake except when moving slowly or manouvering on dirt.
If you change the soft stock springs you won't have as much nose diving and the brakes will feel much more progressive than the on/off you've got now.

Originally Posted by leesimons

Err, you should do the majority of your braking with your front brake (unless you're a freak like Greg!

Yes I agree to being somewhat controversial here in that I use 80% back brake to 20% front (if that). I'm used to it, it suits me - certainly it doesn't slow me down .

Find what suits your own style of riding but do try both and don't dismiss the rear brake like a lot of people do, as the rear is a very useful tool if used correctly (or even abused by me). So many people lose the front under braking (often through over-use whilst panicking when an emergency situation arises) where had they used the rear first to start the slowing of the bike and make it more stable they might have saved the day.

Contrary to popular belief (it seems) the SV has quite a good back brake. It's there for a reason - try it, you might like it .


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