Front brake vs rear brake when to use which
#41
05-13-2018 | 09:26 AM
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 767
Likes: 302
From: NE Ohio
I was not aware that my 2013 FLHTK even had a rear brake....I thought that pedal was just another highway foot rest!!
Seriously-rear brake on my HD is pathetic-has been since Day-1 out of the box.
Had it in to HD service to be looked at AND test rode a couple times. I'm told it's just fine and "I should know that HD Touring bikes are not known for decent brakes on the rear".
I have to rely on my front brake for most of my stopping power as I can't safely rely on the back one!
Seriously-rear brake on my HD is pathetic-has been since Day-1 out of the box.
Had it in to HD service to be looked at AND test rode a couple times. I'm told it's just fine and "I should know that HD Touring bikes are not known for decent brakes on the rear".
I have to rely on my front brake for most of my stopping power as I can't safely rely on the back one!
#42
05-13-2018 | 11:03 AM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,794
Likes: 1,295
From: Good roads, cold beer
I've been watching the "ride like a pro" videos since I bought my Ultra Limited last Sunday and it seems that the back brakes should be used a lot more than what I am doing. It seems that rear brakes are preferred over front when doing slow speed turns like u-turns and sharp turns at less than 10 miles per hour. They also seem to be preferred for coming to a complete stop like at stop signs, stop lights and parking. Am I correct in my understanding?
What other times is rear braking preferred over front?
Should front braking mostly be used in those O'SH** moments?
I have been using front brakes for tight low speed turn practice in a parking lot. That has led to some pretty scary moments especially in right handers for me.
Thanks
Wade
What other times is rear braking preferred over front?
Should front braking mostly be used in those O'SH** moments?
I have been using front brakes for tight low speed turn practice in a parking lot. That has led to some pretty scary moments especially in right handers for me.
Thanks
Wade
is this your first bike? have you ever ridden before?
#43
05-13-2018 | 11:41 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 11,882
Likes: 8,398
From: San Diego, CA
I should have mentioned I have abs and linked brakes. So even though I only use my foot brake I am technically applying both when braking at speed. I always hover my front hand over the brake lever and use it when needed to stop quickly.
I find most of the time if you are aware of your surroundings most stops are slow and controlled. You have no need for rapid stopping.
That being said I also regularly practice quick stops from speed so I have the skills when needed.
I find most of the time if you are aware of your surroundings most stops are slow and controlled. You have no need for rapid stopping.
That being said I also regularly practice quick stops from speed so I have the skills when needed.
We all have choices to make, but I would suggest that people practice proper braking technique at all times. Apply your front & rear brakes in the proper proportion, given the circumstances, rather than using the rear brake pedal 100% and relying on a Nanny device to do it properly for you.... Keep the nanny device as a back-up, for when you mess up, rather than using it as the default option every time you brake, or else you are building/learning/imprinting bad braking habits...
If you always practice proper braking technique.... you can jump on any bike, whether or not it has ABS or linked brakes, and still ride as safe as possible on that bike....
I always practice threshold braking in panic stops, and proper use of front v back brakes in all stops.... It pays off for me because I have two bikes that are pre ABS/linked brakes and one with ABS/linked brakes. I feel as safe on my pre ABS/linked brakes bikes as I do on my ABS/Linked brakes bike....
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#44
05-13-2018 | 12:00 PM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,861
Likes: 2,733
From: Idaho Panhandle
Rear brake:
1. Slow speed maneuvers
2. When ever bike is not upright, leaning or if you need to,lose a touch of speed in a corner..not stop! If you have to stop, bring bike vertical and use 70% front 30% rear....i.e., do not over brake or lock rear.
3. Whenever front wheel is not straight ahead, with very few exceptions
4. Dirt, gravel, any soft or uneven surface. Slick roads,especially when wet, painted road markers, i.e. Stop, crossing, arrows, etc. Leaves, loose gravel included here as well.
5. To assist front brake in 70/30 ratio.
6. To hold bike on hill when starting to move.
Front brake
1. when bike is vertical and you must stop...now.
2. At a red light, ready to move if that car behind does not slow down.
3. For 90% of your braking when not in the rear brake conditions.
More riders go down,
1. Grabbing front brake when bike is not vertical and or the front wheel is not straight, even when moving Under 5mph, even pushing the bike.
2. Locking up the rear. Applying too much rear in a panic and once rear is broken free, you have a real interesting situation on your hands akin to dancing with the devil.
Yes, while I knew all this, was taught all this, I also tested each theory as I used to be a slow learner. I started getting smarter after I turned 30.
There are probably other situations, but I will leave that to experts.
1. Slow speed maneuvers
2. When ever bike is not upright, leaning or if you need to,lose a touch of speed in a corner..not stop! If you have to stop, bring bike vertical and use 70% front 30% rear....i.e., do not over brake or lock rear.
3. Whenever front wheel is not straight ahead, with very few exceptions
4. Dirt, gravel, any soft or uneven surface. Slick roads,especially when wet, painted road markers, i.e. Stop, crossing, arrows, etc. Leaves, loose gravel included here as well.
5. To assist front brake in 70/30 ratio.
6. To hold bike on hill when starting to move.
Front brake
1. when bike is vertical and you must stop...now.
2. At a red light, ready to move if that car behind does not slow down.
3. For 90% of your braking when not in the rear brake conditions.
More riders go down,
1. Grabbing front brake when bike is not vertical and or the front wheel is not straight, even when moving Under 5mph, even pushing the bike.
2. Locking up the rear. Applying too much rear in a panic and once rear is broken free, you have a real interesting situation on your hands akin to dancing with the devil.
Yes, while I knew all this, was taught all this, I also tested each theory as I used to be a slow learner. I started getting smarter after I turned 30.
There are probably other situations, but I will leave that to experts.
Last edited by son of the hounds; 05-13-2018 at 12:17 PM.
#46
05-13-2018 | 08:21 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 506
Likes: 79
From: NC
I've been watching the "ride like a pro" videos since I bought my Ultra Limited last Sunday and it seems that the back brakes should be used a lot more than what I am doing. It seems that rear brakes are preferred over front when doing slow speed turns like u-turns and sharp turns at less than 10 miles per hour. They also seem to be preferred for coming to a complete stop like at stop signs, stop lights and parking. Am I correct in my understanding?
What other times is rear braking preferred over front?
Should front braking mostly be used in those O'SH** moments?
I have been using front brakes for tight low speed turn practice in a parking lot. That has led to some pretty scary moments especially in right handers for me.
Thanks
Wade
What other times is rear braking preferred over front?
Should front braking mostly be used in those O'SH** moments?
I have been using front brakes for tight low speed turn practice in a parking lot. That has led to some pretty scary moments especially in right handers for me.
Thanks
Wade
You use your rear brake, throttle, and clutch in concert with each other during slow speed manuvers. Look at police videos and you’ll be amazed at what you can do with practice. Do yourself a favor and enroll in a riding class. It’s a lot easier to learn when you have someone demonstrating in person and giving you feedback.
Last edited by PeteF; 05-13-2018 at 08:27 PM.
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#47
05-13-2018 | 08:41 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,452
Likes: 31,555
From: Carlsbad, CA
#48
05-13-2018 | 08:45 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,452
Likes: 31,555
From: Carlsbad, CA
I'm a former motor officer. It’s really simple: you need to use both your front and rear brakes. You will default to habit during an “Oh Sh*t” moment. If you’re accustomed to mostly using your front or rear brakes individually, then that’s exactly what you’ll do in an emergency, and you will not achieve max stopping power. To get the best stopping power with your antilock brakes, you have to trust them. I’ve trained extensively in threshold braking (non-antilock), and I love antilock brakes. Go out and practice hard braking within limits of your ability. You want to know what grabbing the brakes feels like before you do it for real, but start out slow. I’ll go out on a backroad and practice 100 percent braking so I know how the bike reacts. Did I mention that I love antilock brakes! There is nothing wrong with the braking system on HD touring bikes. It’s okay to use your rear brake the last 5 feet or so coming to a normal stop. That’s prevents the front weight transfer from possibly tipping you.
You use your rear brake, throttle, and clutch in concert with each other during slow speed manuvers. Look at police videos and you’ll be amazed at what you can do with practice. Do yourself a favor and enroll in a riding class. It’s a lot easier to learn when you have someone demonstrating in person and giving you feedback.
#49
05-13-2018 | 09:03 PM
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 298
Likes: 48
From: Carson City, NV
Rear brake:
1. Slow speed maneuvers
2. When ever bike is not upright, leaning or if you need to,lose a touch of speed in a corner..not stop! If you have to stop, bring bike vertical and use 70% front 30% rear....i.e., do not over brake or lock rear.
3. Whenever front wheel is not straight ahead, with very few exceptions
4. Dirt, gravel, any soft or uneven surface. Slick roads,especially when wet, painted road markers, i.e. Stop, crossing, arrows, etc. Leaves, loose gravel included here as well.
5. To assist front brake in 70/30 ratio.
6. To hold bike on hill when starting to move.
Front brake
1. when bike is vertical and you must stop...now.
2. At a red light, ready to move if that car behind does not slow down.
3. For 90% of your braking when not in the rear brake conditions.
More riders go down,
1. Grabbing front brake when bike is not vertical and or the front wheel is not straight, even when moving Under 5mph, even pushing the bike.
2. Locking up the rear. Applying too much rear in a panic and once rear is broken free, you have a real interesting situation on your hands akin to dancing with the devil.
Yes, while I knew all this, was taught all this, I also tested each theory as I used to be a slow learner. I started getting smarter after I turned 30.
There are probably other situations, but I will leave that to experts.
1. Slow speed maneuvers
2. When ever bike is not upright, leaning or if you need to,lose a touch of speed in a corner..not stop! If you have to stop, bring bike vertical and use 70% front 30% rear....i.e., do not over brake or lock rear.
3. Whenever front wheel is not straight ahead, with very few exceptions
4. Dirt, gravel, any soft or uneven surface. Slick roads,especially when wet, painted road markers, i.e. Stop, crossing, arrows, etc. Leaves, loose gravel included here as well.
5. To assist front brake in 70/30 ratio.
6. To hold bike on hill when starting to move.
Front brake
1. when bike is vertical and you must stop...now.
2. At a red light, ready to move if that car behind does not slow down.
3. For 90% of your braking when not in the rear brake conditions.
More riders go down,
1. Grabbing front brake when bike is not vertical and or the front wheel is not straight, even when moving Under 5mph, even pushing the bike.
2. Locking up the rear. Applying too much rear in a panic and once rear is broken free, you have a real interesting situation on your hands akin to dancing with the devil.
Yes, while I knew all this, was taught all this, I also tested each theory as I used to be a slow learner. I started getting smarter after I turned 30.
There are probably other situations, but I will leave that to experts.
Don’t want to hijack the thread but I have a similar question. I have a road near me with a 35 MPH speed limit. At the end it has a 90 right turn and stops within 20 feet. I’ve been going in really slow and keeping the bike straight up. I end up facing left - not great if I want to go right.
I don’t want to really use the front brake turning and stopping. I’m totally off the brake through the turn - coasting through it. Should I just use the rear and keep turning to end up where I want? Trail brake with the front? That sounds like the worst of the two options.
Thanks for any comments.
#50
05-14-2018 | 04:15 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 503
From: Lake County, IL
This sounds like great advice to me.
Don’t want to hijack the thread but I have a similar question. I have a road near me with a 35 MPH speed limit. At the end it has a 90 right turn and stops within 20 feet. I’ve been going in really slow and keeping the bike straight up. I end up facing left - not great if I want to go right.
I don’t want to really use the front brake turning and stopping. I’m totally off the brake through the turn - coasting through it. Should I just use the rear and keep turning to end up where I want? Trail brake with the front? That sounds like the worst of the two options.
Thanks for any comments.
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