Braking

**liamac** · 14th September 2009, 22:39

A newbie question but still an important one.
Front brakes and back breaks. Which ones to use and when? At the moment I just squeeze both but I'm sure there is more technique available than that.

**p.dath** · 14th September 2009, 22:43

Originally Posted by liamac

A newbie question but still an important one.
Front brakes and back breaks. Which ones to use and when? At the moment I just squeeze both but I'm sure there is more technique available than that.

Run for cover!

I use both, mainly to spread by brake pad wear around. Also good practice for emergency braking - but that is a highly contentious issue!

**Zerker** · 14th September 2009, 23:31

use both.
start with the back brake feel the weight shift forward and then ease in the front.
if you just go for a lock on both, you will take longer to stop.
go to youtube and watch the learner bike tests for the states, they explain procedure for "The quick stop" which is part of their test.

if you've got drum brakes on both front and back...... good luck sir.

Zerker

**MyGSXF:Me** · 14th September 2009, 23:39

I strongly urge you to give Andrew & Lynne a call at www.roadsafe.co.nz & book yourself onto a training course!!!

Will be the best investment you can make when it comes to riding bikes!!!

**javawocky** · 15th September 2009, 08:01

On a sports bike you want to be using the front for proper stopping. My back brake is just for show most of the time. I use it sometimes when going down a long hill so I don't waste my front pads.

On a vesper I would imagine a far amount of weight would be on the back wheel, so I would probably use it. I just know its a common learner fault to get scared of the front brake and resort to just using the back which is all fun and games until you need to stop in an emergency.

In very slippery wet conditions I sometimes resort to light back brakes to ensure the front is fully in control of steering, but this is rare and when I am riding on egg shells.

**one fast tl1ooo** · 15th September 2009, 08:13

Can of worms, NOooooooo worms everywhere put them back,
who open the worms again

**Crisis management** · 15th September 2009, 08:20

Just a basic fact....you have achieved maximum braking when the tyres are at the point of losing traction. To achieve maximum braking effect you want both tyres at that point.

The rest of it is semantics and individual preferances, if this makes no sense take the RRRS course as suggested, your arse is worth more than the cost of the course.

**The Wop** · 15th September 2009, 08:22

As a scooter rider, I use mainly front brakes. As the weight shifts forward on the scooter, the front tends to have more grip. If you are braking hard and in a straight line, the back brakes are far less effective than the front. On my current scoot I have disks front and back but on my previous scoot I had a drum brake on the rear with a disk up front and it was far more noticeable.

However, if I have to brake while cornering (like if the car I am following slows down, I tend to use rear more, as the front could lose grip.

It's an experience thing and I would echo the sentiments about going on a course.

**Flatcap** · 15th September 2009, 09:20

Originally Posted by The Wop

On my current scoot I have disks front and back but on my previous scoot I had a drum brake on the rear with a disk up front and it was far more noticeable.
.

Yes, the ole rear drum brake has next to no braking capacity. If you have discs at each end you should use them....

**scracha** · 15th September 2009, 09:59

Order is irrelevant as you'll grab a handful when you panic...I shit you not. Just keep squeezing them both and more importantly, PRACTICE a LOT so you'll have a better response when $hit really does happen.

**MyGSXF:Me** · 15th September 2009, 11:45

Originally Posted by scracha

Order is irrelevant as you'll grab a handful when you panic...I shit you not.

That is what an untrained, unskilled rider would do...

Someone who has had proper training in braking & emergency braking.. would have better knowledge & skills & handle the situation differently

**scracha** · 15th September 2009, 13:26

Originally Posted by MyGSXF

Someone who has had proper training in braking & emergency braking.. would have better knowledge & skills & handle the situation differently

Ermm...no. I have had proper training? I must have demonstrated 1000's of emergency stops. but when something comes across my path unexpectedly I still grab a handful and stamp on the rear brake. My training has my brain quickly overcome this reaction and I unlock the sliding rear (& front!!!) of my bike and also look for a good escape route.

Sometimes you just can't overcome instinct. It's like skydiving. 2 days training all goes out the window and most of us end up flapping our arms and screaming like a girl on their first jump until the brain actually overcomes this and we look up to hopefully see a nice fat canopy above us.

**Del Fuego** · 15th September 2009, 14:31

I tend to use both most of the time just a good habit to get into. I tend toward front first and then rear a smidge later seems to pull the bike into line and slow it down well but the technique varies from bike to bike.

On the Address i can stop from 60 in 2metres...