What's better: just front breaking or both front and rear?

[James Deuce]

Using both brakes in an emergency is the best method, the braking forces 'pull' the bike closer to the ground, thereby increasing the contact patch available. You'd be suprised how much quicker you will stop with both brakes working hard. As far as using the back brake during corners it's not about provoking 'oversteer', especially on anything other than a motard/etc, but it's about tightening your line. 'Trailing' the rear brake has that effect, nothing to do with oversteer.

All that and if it's a real emergency don't bother changing down gears. You should be concentrating on extracting maximum braking. Don't forget to pull the clutch in as you come to a stop.

[HDTboy]

Lets see what Jay Lawrence thinks

[Edbear]

Personally, I try hard not to break anything while I'm riding...

[mark247]

When ya going 100kmh and need to stop quickly, i assure you distributing the braking between the front and rear wheel is a lot safer/more effective than braking only on the front. Personally i use my rear brake a lot, you just need to know how to use it correctly.

[gixermike]

If you wanna play with trail braking...just take your crosser or mountainbike out...go too fast into a corner on some mud (reduces the speed required..but keeps the rest pretty much the same)...and trail the front and back into corners while nicely cranked over...then work out which hurt more...I'd go for the back brake option being less painfull......

but hawling up in a straight line it's both..makes the bike sit down nicely..

and if you've over cooked it that much you could always just use both brakes full on in a straightline to the edge of the seal or track(not the gravel edge), and then just turn in late....

[terbang]

Started out reading this thread and need to ask the question. Braking in what situation? On the road, track or in the carpark? Quite frankly if you are up there riding a 400 on the road and are having to ask a basic braking question like front or rear brakes here, then back to riding school http://www.riderskills.co.nz/ you should go before you get yourself into a bit of a spot. Hint: If you really only needed to use a front brake then I am absolutely sure that the manufacturers, who are forever trying to save weight, would have convinced the certifiers to do away with rear brakes years ago.

[Squeak the Rat]

Squeaks 6 reasons to use the back brake:

1. Even if it's only 10% of your braking power, that 10% may save you a trip to hospital
2. Back brakes are better option mid corner. Some famous racer commented that you won't lose the front end of a bike if the front suspension isn't loaded**. Two ways of loading the front are using the front brake or cutting the throttle.
3. If you always use the rear you will become competent at applying it. So when you do need it mid-corner you won't accidentally brake too hard and invoke a slide resulting in an off.
4. If you have become competent with it's use and practice regularly, you will apply the back subconciously in an emergency stop, allowing you to focus on controlling the front which is where most of the stopping power comes from. In most emergency braking situations a rear wheel skid is easily controlled, and your thinking brain has more to worry about.
5. I find the back brake works wonders in downhill corners. Entering the corner with a little throttle unloads the front (which is carrying extra load because of the downhill) but also usually results in excess speed half way through the corner. A little rear brake slows the bike without unsettling it too much.
6. A god send with U-turns. Constant throttle at a few thousand rpm, apply a bit of back brake and control your speed with the clutch.

All IHMO only.

** Assuming no road contamination (oil, potholes etc)