Front Brake - Do you use it? - Page 3 - SV650.org

24-02-05, 08:22 PM

I'm of the jonboy school of riding - slow (but not as slow as him

) in, quick out. To that end when out on the open road I hardly use the rear brake at all and try to get all my slowing done before the bend.

Having said that, the rear brake on my 'ornet isn't that powerful and I'm going to have the brake fluid changed at the forthcoming service. I can't even lock the rear wheel with it at the moment

Perhaps that is a good thing?

I use the rear for slow-speed manouvring, when on loose surfaces or when filtering. Obviously, I use it in an emergency to dump speed.

Interesting discussion

northwind · 24-02-05, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy

Oh I see, well yes when it comes to it I use the front brake to maximum effect in order to stop sharply when the occasion arises no problem. What I'm saying is that I use the rear brake 80% of the time as I tend to brake early and prefer the old racing adage of "slow in, fast out" with regard to corners..

Gotcha. Sorry, I'd misunderstood- your way's actually possibly the most sensible, since it gives you a safety margin that most people don't give themselves...

24-02-05, 08:25 PM

front brake should be your primary braking power.... as you apply brakes you weight shifts forward towards the front, to a point that the rear actually becomes useless.... the tire has to be on the pavement for the wheel to have any braking action.

you can use front brake effectivly in wet or gravel, you just have to be smooth about it..... but front brake is primary braking regardless of surface

24-02-05, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwind

At this point, some yank will always say "If you're using the front brake to its full extent the rear will be in the air"

and then...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyO

front brake should be your primary braking power.... as you apply brakes you weight shifts forward towards the front, to a point that the rear actually becomes useless.... the tire has to be on the pavement for the wheel to have any braking action.

.

northwind · 24-02-05, 08:50 PM

That's a bit unfair

Spiderman · 24-02-05, 08:51 PM

From years of riding bikes with no engines (racers & mountains) i'm just so used to the feel of the braking thru my fingers.
The rear brake to me has always been a stabiliser and additional stopper when needed mainly cos its under-foot and i'm used to the hands braking... its just a natural reaction kinda thing.

I'm about 80% front 20% back

Tho when filtering at slow speed its maily back for delicate throttle work.

I think everyone should learn the art of using only the front.... and then only the back, then find their own combo.

Isnt the front tyre desinged to flatten more just for this reason? All the weight over the front whilst braking in a straight line so it gives a slighlty wider surface area for contact and grip?

I find i lock the rear too easy too

Viney · 24-02-05, 09:08 PM

If the back wheel aint off the ground, you aint using the front brake enough!

24-02-05, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viney

If the back wheel aint off the ground, you aint using the front brake enough!

I'm sure Tim would agree with that... (Sorry Coombest)

24-02-05, 09:56 PM

use front brake if i have to scrub off a lot of speed with a touch of back brake to stabilise the bike. dont really use the brakes much at all though still got original rear brake pads on and the bike has done 25000 miles. dont use front brake unless completely upright in a straight line though

Biker Biggles · 24-02-05, 09:58 PM

I allways apply some front brake and normally use about 80 20 front rear bias.I think the Yanks are basically right in that if you are getting maximum benefit from the front the weight transfer will render the rear allmost useless.Even in poor grip there is still a noticable weight transfer,and thus a reduction in rear grip.You still get most of your stopping from the front.I once had to ride home when I lost the front brake completly and that taught me just how far it takes to stop with just the rear.I now know why supertankers crash.

24-02-05, 08:50 PM	#25
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	That's a bit unfair __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

24-02-05, 08:51 PM	#26
Spiderman Where the hell am I? Mega Poster Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Swingin' thru the urban jungle Posts: 7,451	From years of riding bikes with no engines (racers & mountains) i'm just so used to the feel of the braking thru my fingers. The rear brake to me has always been a stabiliser and additional stopper when needed mainly cos its under-foot and i'm used to the hands braking... its just a natural reaction kinda thing. I'm about 80% front 20% back Tho when filtering at slow speed its maily back for delicate throttle work. I think everyone should learn the art of using only the front.... and then only the back, then find their own combo. Isnt the front tyre desinged to flatten more just for this reason? All the weight over the front whilst braking in a straight line so it gives a slighlty wider surface area for contact and grip? I find i lock the rear too easy too __________________ . "Computers are great! Not for communicating tho. They have one fundamental flaw ... they don't have eyebrows." AlpineCarStereo: you win ....... eeerrr ..... ummm ..... my undying support of you, the greatest Mod this forum has ever known. My Leige. davepreston: i bow to your modding godliness. vixis: He's this really cute Persian tea-boy, Im so not giving you his number :P

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24-02-05, 08:22 PM	#21
Jabba Guest Posts: n/a	I'm of the jonboy school of riding - slow (but not as slow as him ) in, quick out. To that end when out on the open road I hardly use the rear brake at all and try to get all my slowing done before the bend. Having said that, the rear brake on my 'ornet isn't that powerful and I'm going to have the brake fluid changed at the forthcoming service. I can't even lock the rear wheel with it at the moment Perhaps that is a good thing? I use the rear for slow-speed manouvring, when on loose surfaces or when filtering. Obviously, I use it in an emergency to dump speed. Interesting discussion

24-02-05, 08:25 PM	#23
RandyO Guest Posts: n/a	front brake should be your primary braking power.... as you apply brakes you weight shifts forward towards the front, to a point that the rear actually becomes useless.... the tire has to be on the pavement for the wheel to have any braking action. you can use front brake effectivly in wet or gravel, you just have to be smooth about it..... but front brake is primary braking regardless of surface

24-02-05, 09:08 PM	#27
Viney Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the shadows to the left Posts: 7,700	If the back wheel aint off the ground, you aint using the front brake enough!

24-02-05, 09:56 PM	#29
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	use front brake if i have to scrub off a lot of speed with a touch of back brake to stabilise the bike. dont really use the brakes much at all though still got original rear brake pads on and the bike has done 25000 miles. dont use front brake unless completely upright in a straight line though

24-02-05, 09:58 PM	#30
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	I allways apply some front brake and normally use about 80 20 front rear bias.I think the Yanks are basically right in that if you are getting maximum benefit from the front the weight transfer will render the rear allmost useless.Even in poor grip there is still a noticable weight transfer,and thus a reduction in rear grip.You still get most of your stopping from the front.I once had to ride home when I lost the front brake completly and that taught me just how far it takes to stop with just the rear.I now know why supertankers crash.