Rear brake usage?

[Hitcher]

Nobody has mentioned linked-brakes yet either. Bugger for trail braking though.

I had linked brakes on my ST1300. Indeed trail-braking is not an option. Despite what the "purists" may contend, linked brakes are lovely things. I prefer them to bike I have ridden with ABS, which I do not much care for. Riders just need to be aware of how they work compared to how unlinked brakes work and figure out the relative commitments required between right hand and right foot.

[All]

Why can't you trail brake with linked brakes?

[Hitcher]

Why can't you trail brake with linked brakes?

Because the braking is split between both controls: i.e. hand lever only = 66% front, 33% rear; foot lever only = 66% rear, 33% front. So the ability to "finesse" your rear brake with just a touch, also applies some braking force to the front. The effect is just not the same. I tried trail braking a few times with my ST, but could never get it to do what I wanted. FJR1300 with no linked brakes, different story.

[scumdog]

About 400+km since I last touched the rear brake pedal.

[onearmedbandit]

Using the rear brake, even on a sportsbike, will in effect lower the bikes cog giving more grip. It's not just a 'stamp on the brake pedal' thing, but controlled use of the back brakes.

[All]

Because the braking is split between both controls: i.e. hand lever only = 66% front, 33% rear; foot lever only = 66% rear, 33% front. So the ability to "finesse" your rear brake with just a touch, also applies some braking force to the front. The effect is just not the same. I tried trail braking a few times with my ST, but could never get it to do what I wanted. FJR1300 with no linked brakes, different story.

I understand trail braking isn't just the rear brake; it refers to the gradual release of the brakes (front, rear, or both) up to the apex.

[Hitcher]

I understand trail braking isn't just the rear brake; it refers to the gradual release of the brakes (front, rear, or both) up to the apex.

Your definition is then different to mine. There is a big difference between what happens in a car and what happens on a bike.

[Ocean1]

Because the braking is split between both controls: i.e. hand lever only = 66% front, 33% rear; foot lever only = 66% rear, 33% front. So the ability to "finesse" your rear brake with just a touch, also applies some braking force to the front.

Interesting split ratios, is it adjustable? do you think you would have made much use of such an adjustment?

My use of brakes has traditionally been for more than just scrubbing speed, the back in particular is critical to changing the bike's attitude off road. I doubt I'll ever break the habit of at least covering the rear every time I use the front. The Buell's front brake is superb, the rear does lack feel though, and the engine braking can easily be enough to semi-lock the back wheel. That can be a good thing because while the back can step out a fair bit it's usually self-correcting and produces more effective braking than a total rear lock-up from a judicious stomp on the back brake. I’m still learning about the Buell, when to give it a nudge, and how much…

[Skyryder]

It's quite possible to recover from locking the front wheel (provided you're not turning at the time ). I was encouraged to do just that at an advanced course. You just have to immediately relax the pressure as soon as you realize it's locked up.

This for most people is and automatic reflex to a locked up brake. Unfortunately sometimes the reflex is not fast enough.

Skyryder

[All]

This for most people is and automatic reflex to a locked up brake. Unfortunately sometimes the reflex is not fast enough.

Skyryder

Also, I think some people just freeze and/or grip the brake lever harder.

[Skyryder]

Recently, I've seen quite a few people saying they don't even bother with the rear brake--the argument being that, under hard braking, most of the weight will be on the front wheel, thus rendering the rear brake almost useless. Do you agree with this?

The dude that taught me to ride said that you get more stopping power using both.

Out of interest, does anyone know what the general racing practice is regarding the use of the rear brake?

The rear brake is usefull when braking if the bike is leaning over as in a turn. If applied with the correct amount of pressure the front will not lock as the pressure on the front brake need not be as severe due to the assist of the back brake. The secret here is having both work in tandem. The best way for this is to practice useing both when the bike is upright so that you get the 'feel' for the correct amount of pressure. Personaly if have to brake with the bike on a lean you have come in to hot. That's on the road. We've all done it so it's a usefull skill to learn useing both brakes in tandem. The real key is to do this under pressure and in an emergency so practice practice and more practice.

Skyryder

[Skyryder]

Also, I think some people just freeze and/or grip the brake lever harder.

I not about to disagree with you on this but I can only speak for myself. On the odd occasion I have had the front lock up I've released instantly and saved my arse. But if you are going down sometimes you are 'down before you know what happened. It's a bummer either way..........that's up or down.

Skyryder

[Hitcher]

Interesting split ratios, is it adjustable? do you think you would have made much use of such an adjustment?

Honda's "ratios" aren't adjustable. They use three-piston calipers front and rear. The hand lever works two calipers on the front and one on the rear. The foot pedal works two calipers on the rear and one on the front. Both levers = all calipers. Going like the clappers, stopping like the calipers!

[Ocean1]

Honda's "ratios" aren't adjustable. They use three-piston calipers front and rear. The hand lever works two calipers on the front and one on the rear. The foot pedal works two calipers on the rear and one on the front. Both levers = all calipers. Going like the clappers, stopping like the calipers!

Elegant simplicity, nice. Guess we can assume the pistons are all the same dia.

What was your issue with ABS? Was it fundamentally difficult to use or merely poor technical execution?

[Badjelly]

Elegant simplicity, nice. Guess we can assume the pistons are all the same dia.

Elegant simplicity is all very well, but I should have thought that on a bike there'd be some mechanism to limit the rear brake effort as the weight is transferred to the front. Like on my Ford Telstar SW.