Front Brake - Rear Brake?

[yorkie_chris]

Oh yeah just one more complication. Just did clutch on mine as it was getting a bit knackered... took less time than brake service...

I use engine breaking a lot as it's easier and means a bit of planning ahead- means you are giving yourself space to react to things. Obviously, though, there is no brake light to warn those behind you what's going on.

However, I was taught front brake first then back just after- 80-20 in dry, 50-50 in wet. This is down to the way the weight distribution of the bike changes and pushes the tyre rubber into the ground- if you are heavy handed with the back brake (using it without the front brake), it doesn't load up properly for enough grip, so is more likely to skid, whereas if you're heavier with the front, all of the bike's weight pushes it and gives more downforce onto the road and more grip, so you can follow with the back brake as well and it has less work to do and assists the front brake.

The best I've found is a combination of engine compression and both brakes- so if you're in the right gear, at the right revs, stopping is far quicker.

For sharp corners, I'll slow with both brakes, but drag the back brake while in the corner to stop.

[yorkie_chris]

Back brake is unloaded with ANY braking force!

You can brake 100-0, with hot tyre and clean road, chassis geometry is limit, not grip. (stoppies before it skids).

Only back brake for me in the wet. Unless as said something unexpected happens. But once again a mostly engine braker.

Yeah I was tought rear then front brake. Best way to see if you need it is go to your fav road and ride up to your usual corner and use only the front brake and see how long it takes to slow to your corner speed etc. Then same speed same corner use a little bit of back brake and then a bit more and a bit more till you find how much pressure to use before you lock it. Then see how much shorter your braking distance is!

Definately front break first as thedonal says

Originally Posted by thedonal

I was taught front brake first then back just after- 80-20 in dry, 50-50 in wet. This is down to the way the weight distribution of the bike changes and pushes the tyre rubber into the ground- if you are heavy handed with the back brake (using it without the front brake), it doesn't load up properly for enough grip, so is more likely to skid, whereas if you're heavier with the front, all of the bike's weight pushes it and gives more downforce onto the road and more grip, so you can follow with the back brake as well and it has less work to do and assists the front brake.

Just to add tho, dont snatch the front as it will lock up if the weight distribution hasnt transfered to the front. You brake gently for half a second until weight moves forward, then gradually squeeze harder and harder.

As the weight distribution moves over to the front wheel, the rear wheel becomes a lot lighter and is prone to lock.

Always front first, then a bit of rear.

If you are coming to a standstill, then below 10mph use rear only and it stops the front dipping when you stop.