Yes or No
- Thread starter Cecil
- Start date
BadBrad
2005 Pitbull
I can't help but think about sitting at a red light in my car about 2 years ago during a light misting rain and a Harley started to pull out. A car started to take a right turn on red and the Harley used his front brake, locking the wheel while turning and laid it down. He had plenty of time and room to brake with his rear, so there are times when it just makes sense to use the rear brakes more so than the front. As mentioned above, when making a turn in sand or gravel could cause the same results. Experience + commen sense will always prevail! There are times that being a "squid" is a good thing.
JR03CHOPPER
Well-Known Member
Both.
Just read every reply, and Both it is, and was for me. I use to ride a sport bike and you can get into trouble easy if you grab that front brake, so I use both but only cover the front brake with two fingers, so I dont pull to hard in a quick stop. Thanks guys for answering the question.
Roaddawg
Well-Known Member
Now that I am retired, I teach the state Motorcycle Safety Course (both basic and advanced) and prior to this I taught the Police Operator Motorcycle Course when I was a member of and also commander of the State Police Motorcycle Unit.
Based on training and experience, hands down, you should utilize both brakes simultaneously. As mentioned several times in this thread, the front brake provides 70% or more of your stopping power. Also as previously mentioned, during the Police Operator Course, we would have students reach a speed of 40 - 45 mph, then stop using just their front brake, then just rear brake, then both, and everytime, using both stopped in considerably less distance than using just one or the other.
By getting into the habit of using both brakes, when an emergency stop is necessary, muscle memory and ingrained habit and instinct kicks in and you will be able to stop quicker and more safely.
For those that have crashed using front brake only (when the bike goes out from under you) it is because the front tire was turned (left or right) and the brake was mashed or grabbed in a panic. If the handlebars are not square when the front brake is pegged, the bike is most likely going down. You can do front brake skids all day, as long as the handlebars are square (front tire is inline with the bike).
But if you really need to stop fast, both brakes, properly applied ,just to the point of lock up will result in the fastest stop.
Based on training and experience, hands down, you should utilize both brakes simultaneously. As mentioned several times in this thread, the front brake provides 70% or more of your stopping power. Also as previously mentioned, during the Police Operator Course, we would have students reach a speed of 40 - 45 mph, then stop using just their front brake, then just rear brake, then both, and everytime, using both stopped in considerably less distance than using just one or the other.
By getting into the habit of using both brakes, when an emergency stop is necessary, muscle memory and ingrained habit and instinct kicks in and you will be able to stop quicker and more safely.
For those that have crashed using front brake only (when the bike goes out from under you) it is because the front tire was turned (left or right) and the brake was mashed or grabbed in a panic. If the handlebars are not square when the front brake is pegged, the bike is most likely going down. You can do front brake skids all day, as long as the handlebars are square (front tire is inline with the bike).
But if you really need to stop fast, both brakes, properly applied ,just to the point of lock up will result in the fastest stop.
Here is where I am passing my oral, coming in second to some 3/8th mile run. I get to the physical, see the metal in me and tell me I am a liability to the city. Something happens to me pulling out some burning body and my metal parts give out... All this to train an elite group after retirement. Something like the tiny Top Guns of a few well trained. More like 130+ and lock them up. If 100 mph is nothing, figure, what is 30 mph?
True. The whole trick is to step it up in speed. The drill is; wait for the front to tuck in, then release. At approximately 100 mph, you scrub around 9 miles off that mark.
Do it enough times, you can watch the speedo drop. Now, when you skid at your 40 mph, you'll be so conditioned to 100+, 40 is a squeak and a yank back on the binders. You scrubbed a bunch down, did the 1-2-no [buckle] up against a fender using [my shoe].
I find the fastest stopping power is around 20 mph or less. The back and front together can stop on a dime that way.
The reason why I would not pop my personal forks at a higher speed is it takes nothing to blow the seals out that way. That vid was someone calling me out for an apology. He said the rotors and brakes were the vibration of the front end. I said, watch the forks harmonic. If it was brake, it would do it all the time. I said it was a worn tire. I can't get my new tire to vibrate. Now, what do you have to say? Silence.
They cleaned their pads. Said it went away, then came back. I never cleaned my pads. I never had the vibration until the new tire wears down with 'hard front braking'; a 100% of the time.
pknowles
RETIRED
After reading this reply, it would be interesting to tie the votes of who uses the front-rear or both brakes in this thread to the people who have the msc or not. I took the course with my wife in 07 and it was worth the time and money spent.
Nukeranger
Nukeranger
I have tried to understand SVEN's responses and only find them entertaining/confusing.
Can someone interpret what he said? Never mind, what was I thinking. I ignored him once and am close to doing it again! I was giving him a second chance and I don't think I have a 3rd chance in me.
Nuke
Can someone interpret what he said? Never mind, what was I thinking. I ignored him once and am close to doing it again! I was giving him a second chance and I don't think I have a 3rd chance in me.
Nuke
phatchopper300
I just wanta ride
Both
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Tomtang aka Reptilejim
Well-Known Member
Both!
BadBrad
2005 Pitbull
As quoted in the Exorcism in regards to reading Sven's replies, "The power of God compels you" to read his replies. It makes you realize that you're not as strange as some people might think you are.
How would your skill level look like, you start pushing a 40mph skid as opposed to a 100mph skid?
MSF = Most Skills Failed
MMI = Missed Most Instructions
Dare are riders and there are squids with limited skills. I'm just saying to up your skills. Man can adapt to speed, being, speed is relative. Man is built for speed. Would you buy a billet S&S or jump on an old flathead knowing how fast each one is. You'd gravitate to the bike with more power. Of course you would.
The trick is to run a couple of Poise in the bags. This way, you get that bike shaking over 100, you can pull over, change up, try again. Gotta practice way more times than that one time in class. JMO
MSF = Most Skills Failed
MMI = Missed Most Instructions
Dare are riders and there are squids with limited skills. I'm just saying to up your skills. Man can adapt to speed, being, speed is relative. Man is built for speed. Would you buy a billet S&S or jump on an old flathead knowing how fast each one is. You'd gravitate to the bike with more power. Of course you would.
The trick is to run a couple of Poise in the bags. This way, you get that bike shaking over 100, you can pull over, change up, try again. Gotta practice way more times than that one time in class. JMO
