Anyone use the rear brake?

[SkooterG]

I use it if I am too hot in a corner. A little trail braking is very helpful.

Common misunderstanding. Use of rear brake while cornering is NOT 'trailbraking".

Just cause I am ornery, I am going to disagree about using the rear brake all the time will help in an emergency situation. For me it's exactly the opposite. The more I use the rear brake in everyday riding, the more likely I am to lock the rear in a panic/emergency situation as the rear is now unweighted a lot more than 'normal'.

Flame away.

BTW, my rear pads lasted 140k. :clapping:

 

[Kevin Daly]

Don't normally use it. I quit having "Awe shit" moments in the twisties when I quit using the rear.

I find that under hard front breaking in twisties if your in the right gear, compression breaking can pretty relaibly take the place of the rear break. In fact as the weight of the bike gets tossed over the front end you can start to loose rearend traction.

 

[HaulinAshe]

In an emergency situation, especially one caused by or running across rough/uneven surfaces, the rear brake is a priceless tool.

I use rear brake often, almost always, in varying combinations with the front brakes, for stopping power, for suspension control, for control of all kinds of bike action and reaction.

I understand WHY MSF and basic motorcycle training recommends against overuse of the rear brake. However, on this forum and others, it's my opinion that I see way too much preaching against the rear brake and not enough education on how it can be a very effective tool to help manage the bike in adverse conditions.

* Gravel

* Snow/ice/spills

* Rough pavement surfaces, both straight line and sweeping turns

* Slow turning

* Sudden load shifts, as in striking an object underneath and the passenger suddenly moves forward

Beyond what's listed above and at an entirely different level, there are "performance handling" reasons to use rear brake, which admittedly, are probably not appropriate for most street riding and therefore should not be taught in general street classes.

I guess I'll continue to be the one pushing the pendulum in "the other direction" to point out that the bike HAS a rear brake and it CAN (and IMHO should) be used in a very constructive and safety-enhancing manner. Like everything else, it takes practice to get it right and make it a reaction, rather than an afterthought.

Personally, I've had three situations in two years that would have, without any doubt, resulted in me going down and possibly being killed, if I had not reacted with proper use of rear brake, AND REAR BRAKE ALONE.

I feel better now!

Now, more to the point of the beginning post of this thread...

I've logged over 50,000 miles on the 07 thus far. I replaced front pads at 36,017 miles and replaced rear pads at the same time. My notes indicated the rear pads were trailing about 10,000 miles behind the front pads, and would have likely made it to 50,000. That should speak empirically of my rear brake use.

 

[FJRBluesman]

ATBATT - All The Brakes All The Time.

I use both front and rear brakes 99% of the time when stoppping. Not hard braking, just use them so I get both wheels slowing me down. B)

And per HA above, you need to be aware and understand your road surface to brake accordingly in a situation.

 

[cougar8000]

I'd still like to know what happens if you brake hard in a corner, or conversely steer while braking. I'm too chicken to experiment :sadsmiley02: .

Instant low side if you use too much of the front brake. I see it at least twice a year too much front brake while turning and boom off she goes.

Rear brake is a bit more forgiving, but just as dangerous. It does not result in an instant low side and if you area a skilled rider you can and have time to recover.

 

[cougar8000]

Just cause I am ornery, I am going to disagree about using the rear brake all the time will help in an emergency situation. For me it's exactly the opposite. The more I use the rear brake in everyday riding, the more likely I am to lock the rear in a panic/emergency situation as the rear is now unweighted a lot more than 'normal'.
Flame away.

Reason they would help you more in the oh shit moment is because most if not all when are faced with an oh shit moment WILL use BOTH brakes regardless if they know how to use them or not. It is a nature of the beast. Your muscle tense up and you do things.

If you use your brake all the time your body remembers the motion and when situation comes acts on what it knows base on a muscle memory.

 

[cougar8000]

I understand WHY MSF and basic motorcycle training recommends against overuse of the rear brake.

I agree with everything but above. Haven't seen a single tread of evidence to support what you are saying.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I'd still like to know what happens if you brake hard in a corner, or conversely steer while braking. I'm too chicken to experiment :sadsmiley02: .

Instant low side if you use too much of the front brake. I see it at least twice a year too much front brake while turning and boom off she goes.

Rear brake is a bit more forgiving, but just as dangerous. It does not result in an instant low side and if you area a skilled rider you can and have time to recover.

One thing track riding has taught me well is braking. Going into the apex you may be braking hard, or be on a big sweeper needing to brake hard. It took some getting used to as the geometry changes when the front end dives from heavy braking but, I got used to it and it's not an issue. It's like braking anywhere now for me.... at least on my Duc. I got very comfortable with that on the Duc. The FJR I haven't had as much practice with the big bike but the times I do it, I have not had an issue doing it either. It feels right.

 

[cougar8000]

True, what I posted is in regards of what will happen if you over do it. Which is what most people do when they try and brake while turning. That is why we teach to slow before the turn for the proper speed. Trek riding is a totally different animal. And I sure miss it.

 

[HaulinAshe]

I understand WHY MSF and basic motorcycle training recommends against overuse of the rear brake.

I agree with everything but above. Haven't seen a single tread of evidence to support what you are saying.

I should qualify my statement and say that it's more of what's said in training classes, or inferred, not what's written and intended by the programs.

I see too many inexperienced riders getting the impression from trainers and other more-experienced peers, that rear brake is a "bad thing". Overcompensation is how I would characterize their statements.

I wish I would hear "proper use of the rear brake in situations like "X" can be very effective..." with as much vigor and the same facial expressions as the "80% of the bike's total braking power comes from the front brake." statements.

 

[airboss]

+1 what Jeff said.

I'll admit I use,maybe over use the rear brake, for all the reasons Jeff gave plus maybe a little trail braking for a corner or two.

 

[FJRBluesman]

True, what I posted is in regards of what will happen if you over do it. Which is what most people do when they try and brake while turning. That is why we teach to slow before the turn for the proper speed. Trek riding is a totally different animal. And I sure miss it.

You are right. Track riding you know the corners well, the surface conditions and no one is making a left turn in fron of you.

On the open roads you don't always know the road surface condition, going around a blind turn suddenly there's rocks, dirt, sand, water, etc, or even a car in your lane. You really have to process and do what's right for that situation. Brake harder fronts; more back to slide the rear around; more lean angle; less lean angle; go into the other lane, etc. Now your brian will process all that faster then you think. I believe it all comes down to a great deal of riding experience and practice.

Ride Safe.

 

[teerex51]

Jeff

You mean you use the brakes at all?

You coulda fooled me on the Smokeys, bro

J/k. I actually agree with you as I use a fair amount of rear brake and for that I get a fair amount of ribbing from my riding buddies. Well, screw them...

Stef

 

[HaulinAshe]

Jeff
You mean you use the brakes at all?

You coulda fooled me on the Smokeys, bro

J/k. I actually agree with you as I use a fair amount of rear brake and for that I get a fair amount of ribbing from my riding buddies. Well, screw them...

Stef

Maybe I'm an Italian Redneck and never realized it???

 

[teerex51]

I knew you looked familiar...

You've gotta be my seester's kissing cousin, twice removed

Stef

 

[happyPuppy]

I use it if I am too hot in a corner. A little trail braking is very helpful.

Common misunderstanding. Use of rear brake while cornering is NOT 'trailbraking".

Just cause I am ornery, I am going to disagree about using the rear brake all the time will help in an emergency situation. For me it's exactly the opposite. The more I use the rear brake in everyday riding, the more likely I am to lock the rear in a panic/emergency situation as the rear is now unweighted a lot more than 'normal'.

Flame away.

BTW, my rear pads lasted 140k. :clapping:

I stand corrected. Lee Parks ( Total Control a great class BTW ) teaches it is OK brake and throttle in turns. Maybe on the track, I don't know if i would do it on the street with all the road debris.

 

[JimLor]

I paid for 'em, I use 'em.

 

[beemerdons]

I use it if I am too hot in a corner. A little trail braking is very helpful.

Common misunderstanding. Use of rear brake while cornering is NOT 'trailbraking".

Just cause I am ornery, I am going to disagree about using the rear brake all the time will help in an emergency situation. For me it's exactly the opposite. The more I use the rear brake in everyday riding, the more likely I am to lock the rear in a panic/emergency situation as the rear is now unweighted a lot more than 'normal'.

Flame away.

BTW, my rear pads lasted 140k. :clapping:

I stand corrected. Lee Parks ( Total Control a great class BTW ) teaches it is OK brake and throttle in turns. Maybe on the track, I don't know if i would do it on the street with all the road debris.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailbraking happyPuppy: This amplifies what SkooterG says in regards to trailbraking methods

If you really do want to know the ins and outs of trailbraking for racing, pick up "Sport Riding Techniques" by Nick Ienatsch.

 

[fjrob1300]

The smart Guys at Yamaha engineering put brakes at both ends of the bike and by golly I'm getting my money's worth out of both ends. I just changed my front pads at 60KM the rear should be good for at least another 60k.

Rob and my 2c

 

[Grumpy]

Jeff
You mean you use the brakes at all?

You coulda fooled me on the Smokeys, bro

J/k. I actually agree with you as I use a fair amount of rear brake and for that I get a fair amount of ribbing from my riding buddies. Well, screw them...

Stef

Maybe I'm an Italian Redneck and never realized it???

You looked in the mirror?

jim