Do you use your Back brake?

As above. Whilst riding at slow speeds or when I have to stop fast I use both brakes. Now and then a bit of a back brake to lock up the rear just to have a bit of fun.

Yes, both in slow speed turns etc, normal spirited riding, some corners out on track and emergency stops. nNrmally combined with front brake, except for the slow speed stuff.

To be honest, not a whole lot really. Probably bad form. Very very slow stuff then yes occasionally I guess, but the front brake has such a tame initial bite and is absent of any grabby behaviour so that serves me well for a lot of slow speed stuff too. In emergencies I *think* (hard to look back on genuine emergencies with clear vision) I just pile on the front and the back ends up waving about in the air anyway. And mid corner speed scrubbing is generally dealt with by turning in harder rather than trying to brake mid corner.

To be honest, the only times I really use it are holding the bike at traffic lights whilst on slight inclines.

Not saying this is correct behaviour by any means.

Every time i ride...i'm a bit staggered you dont use it tbh.

I can't pretend to understand the mechanics (as in the physics sense rtather than the nuts and bolts) of it but I was taught that applying the back brake first 'anchors' the bike to the road better and tends to stop the dive that can happen on using the front alone.

Unless you're a riding god I don't see the point in not using some of the available stopping power.

Use it loads, I find it helps for low speed control and at higher speeds when traction is low. Dont think the sv had got a great rear brake or this might just be my one.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Berlin

Do you use your Back brake?

Yes

Yes i like been in fourth, drop two bitta rear brake-age clutch out, hell of a slide!

Originally Posted by stuartyboy

I sure do. all the time at very low speeds/traffic light/filtering.

Something to try...

...get some cones/markers etc. ride along at say 40-50 and at the marker hit the front brake. mark the distance you stopped in.

Do the same again but this time use front and back brakes - you'll be surprised just how much your stopping distance has shortened.

Ive never set out markers but when I break hard using the front and compare it to useing the front and rear together there is a massive difference, the bike really slows fast (hehe juxtaposition)
It is even more apparent on lighter bikes like my RS125.

yes i use the rear break!

Originally Posted by Ed

I can't pretend to understand the mechanics (as in the physics sense rtather than the nuts and bolts) of it but I was taught that applying the back brake first 'anchors' the bike to the road better and tends to stop the dive that can happen on using the front alone.

Unless you're a riding god I don't see the point in not using some of the available stopping power.

Can't understand the physics either I guess the bike squats under back braking so then when you apply the front you have more travel so it appears to dive less? Either way, I *think* conventional wisdom has it the other way round, ie. front first then back second, reason being as the front dives there's less weight (hence traction) over the rear, it's then easier to apply the back to the point where it almost but not quite locks; wheras if you have the back applied first then unload the back through application of the front you may find the back spontaneously locking up and have to let it off a bit.

But as I said, under true emergencies I'm pretty sure I just grab what's to hand and that's normally the right hand and the rear is floating an inch off the deck - back brake doesn't make a whole lot of difference then.

As I've also said, this probably isn't the correct approach and I'm in no way suggesting I've got it right.