Rear brake use?

[SMOKEU]

Do many of you use the rear brake much on a sports bike when braking reasonably hard? With the weight transfer that occurs and the fact that using the back brake is just 1 more thing to concentrate on, is it good riding practice to just forget about using the back brake and put all my focus on the front?

[White trash]

I reckon it'd be pretty hard to do a sweet skid without it.

[The Pastor]

yes, of course you use it, unless the back wheel is in the air.

[nathanwhite]

Rear brake is good for when you dive into a corner too fast and can't pull the front. A little bit settles the bike down, a lot slows it.
Sure I'm not a on a sports bike, but the principle still applies

[bogan]

Bit of rear brake is helpful to settle the rear end down and a little extra braking force too, best to apply them both smoothly and quickly I think. Losing a bit of traction on the rear is nowhere near as bad as the front in my experience, and easily recoverable. Practice in a controlled environment till you get the hang of it.

[unstuck]

I love the back brake.

[White trash]

In two years of racing I think I used the rear brake about 5 times. In fact, when my K3 road bike was being used as a demo, the rear brake pedal seized through lack of use.

Never touch it unless I'm on a Harley.

[imdying]

If you have to ask, then it's not yet time to buy that CBR900RR.

[misterO]

I'm not telling you what to do, but this is how I do it: Yep- I use the rear brake every time I use the front brake. It seems to keep the nose from diving too much and it certainly helps to reduce stopping distance. Boring details to follow: Many moons ago I went to a big empty carpark and spent the afternoon practicing emergency stops using just the front brake, and then using just the rear. Then both. I never managed to lock up the front but maximum braking at the rear without locking up took a bit of finesse (and trial and error). When needed, I apply the front pretty hard but the rear is pressed comparatively gently (at first, then progressively harder). How soon the rear locks up also has a bit to do with how much weight you're putting on it (leaning forward = ez rear lockup, sitting upright = slightly less ez). Using both brakes became second nature after a while. The only caveat might be: if I ever apply the brakes in a corner (something best avoided) then I am very, very gentle on the rear brake, especially in the wet. Come to think of it, I should probably go out and practice emergency stops again...

[slofox]

I did an "advanced rider course" a year or two back and was chided by the instructor for not using the back brake enough. He rightly pointed out that it helps balance the bike under hard braking and can prevent an unwanted stoppie. Or worse, having the front scrub out.

I also do as nathanwhite says in #4, above - use the back to lose speed if I overcook a corner. It's a matter of keeping some forward drive on with the throttle whilst you apply the back brake against that drive. Stops the back wheel locking up, scrubs off speed and can help maintain traction on shitty road surfaces. Discovered that many years ago when I used to blast my old Ariel around the Port Hills in Christchurch.

[Drew]

Never on the track. A bit on the road I guess, particularly with a pillion.

[sil3nt]

MotoGP riders use it. Must be useful for something.

[Lurch]

So many people seem to think it is a useless appendage on their sports bike but I (and many others) disagree and suggest that one day you will wish you were in the habit of using the ~25% extra stopping power that the rear brake gives you. I always start with the front brake to load the front end and then balance the braking manouvre out with some rear.

[Drew]

So many people seem to think it is a useless appendage on their sports bike but I (and many others) disagree and suggest that one day you will wish you were in the habit of using the ~25% extra stopping power that the rear brake gives you. I always start with the front brake to load the front end and then balance the braking manouvre out with some rear.

Where the hell do you get the 25% from? There is NO WHERE NEAR 25% more brakes available by using the rear brake.

I'm sure there is something to be said for settling the bike with the rear brake, but I get the engine to slow the bike down from the rear wheel coming at a turn hard. And bet you I'm getting damn near as much out of it as if I were to use the brake.

[Crasherfromwayback]

So many people seem to think it is a useless appendage on their sports bike but I (and many others) disagree and suggest that one day you will wish you were in the habit of using the ~25% extra stopping power that the rear brake gives you. I always start with the front brake to load the front end and then balance the braking manouvre out with some rear.

If you're using the front hard enough on a sports bike, your rear wheel is gonna be basically off the ground, and you won't be getting 25% extra from it.