[sporky]

after quite a few years of riding, I realise that the rear braking is the source of a huge number of crashes both on and of the track. I learned it by myself too the bad way. Do you guys use any rear brake in any case...need your thoughts!
Maybe it's ok if you touch it during steep curves in order to keep the revs up, that's not a problem with handling anyway for me. The real problem is in hard braking, especially in downhill sessions.

[matt232]

Check out the Riding Bible I just stuck up there, it has a section on what the rear brake an't so good in some situations

Riding Bible

[sl954]

I use it on the street, but not on the track.

Steve

[Zeeman]

I use it a lot, though using it a lot does not mean using it heavily. I mainly use the rear for stability, keeping revs up and for minor speed changes.

Z...

[TGZ13]

I use it on the street since thats the only place I ride. Mainly on my bike I really have no choice since my brakes suck I need all the help I can get. I try to stay away from them in the twisties and mainly use them going in a straight line or when going slow (a little technique from MSF that comes in handy while going slow is rear brake/clutch control)

[Jungleboy]

I use it a lot in corners and also to stabilise the bike if it starts to shake its head!

I can see this is going to be another one of those threads!

[tigerblade]

Haven't touched it in years but would like to learn some techniques to work it into racing.

[Tornado bait]

Bikes have rear brakes?

[oldfogey]

Well, on the street with a VFR800i you can choose to use the front brake (which is linked to the rear brake) or the rear brake (which is linked to the front brake)......

[Heavy-Dee]

In one of the few times this has been discussed Abtech said that he uses the back brake just before the front to settle the suspension and keep the front from diving as much. I have since begun to do this and have found that it does so ever so slightly. At my level of skill I probably should worry about other stuff.

However, the back brake can be a good tool. I do notice a difference in braking w/ both rather than the front alone. I'm pretty much in the habit of draggin the back while the primary stopping is done w/ the front.

HD

[ZX10R_DADDY]

I'm a street rider only. I've ridden since I was 12. I'm 48 now. I always trail brake. Light foot is recommended. It takes up all the drive line slop and gets the motor ready to launch on exit. Knock on wood, but I've never had a problem doing so.

[bwhip]

Virtually never for me on street or track, just sometimes if I think the front is not going to get the job done. If then, I don't give it much pressure at all. In fact, on the Ducati I have to pretty much STAND on the back brake to get it to do anything at all. I've heard that's true of most Ducs.

[sporky]

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

In one of the few times this has been discussed Abtech said that he uses the back brake just before the front to settle the suspension and keep the front from diving as much. I have since begun to do this and have found that it does so ever so slightly. At my level of skill I probably should worry about other stuff.

However, the back brake can be a good tool. I do notice a difference in braking w/ both rather than the front alone. I'm pretty much in the habit of draggin the back while the primary stopping is done w/ the front.

HD

now this is interesting

[maxib]

HD,

I missed that thread, but I was taught to do the same thing as abtech. Just a millisecond before the front brake (as opposed to simultaneously), a light touch will settle the suspension toward the front and that's where the stopping power resides. I maintain a light touch on the rear, more like resting my foot on the pedal rather than pressing with any authority, throughout the stop, but the front is really doing all the work. I imagine much like what you describe as dragging the rear. In other words, if I let off the rear brake suddenly there would be no perceptible change in braking.

The rear is useful for trail braking into a corner to set up the turn into the apex, but that advanced skill is beyond my talents.

Yes, I agree it is very useful with tight parking lot situations, as well as keeping one from rolling anywhere at an inclined stop.

So there are plenty of uses for a rear brake. However, using it as the main brake is not one of them.

[CBRVFR]

Originally Posted by sporky

Maybe it's ok if you touch it during steep curves in order to keep the revs up, that's not a problem with handling anyway for me. The real problem is in hard braking, especially in downhill sessions.

That sounds unwise...

Originally Posted by Zeeman

I use it a lot, though using it a lot does not mean using it heavily. I mainly use the rear for stability, keeping revs up and for minor speed changes.

What do you guys mean when you say you use the rear brake to 'keep the revs up?' Are you using the brake to slow in a turn while still accelerating the motor against the drag of the brake? ? I don't understand..

In any case, wouldn't the need for more revs indicate a lower gear should have been chosen previously, or that a downshift is needed?




To reply to the thread, I use it on gravel, at very slow speeds, and while I'm practicing straight line panic stops on the street.

I was annoyed to find myself using the rear brake ( as well as the front) when a couple of Jerzeyboyz got together in front of me on the track, but I just released it as soon as I realized it was on.

[crazycuRRie]

Originally Posted by Tornado bait

Bikes have rear brakes?

I used mine alot when riding the streets. I use it now for racing but only for helping with stabilizing the bike not really for stoping power... I tried using it a couple of times under hardbraking going into T-3 at Willow Springs and found coming from 130 mph to 60 mph it causes quite a bit of rear end chatter.. So now im investing in a slipper clutch for the 954

[luvtolean]

I used the rear brake in a situation on track when I decided I was going to outbrake a guy at all costs and got in WAY too hot. (Streets of Willow, turn 2) I braked with the front until it was time to turn, let off the front, was still too hot, so the dirtbike instincts took over and I slid it in with the rear brake. I needed a pair of shorts after that bit of stupidity but somehow I didn't crash.

I have tried it at trackdays to "settle" the bike and didn't like it.

[Kuss929]

How else do you keep your bike from rolling back at a stop light when you are resting your hands.

[Heavy-Dee]

Originally Posted by Kuss929

How else do you keep your bike from rolling back at a stop light when you are resting your hands.

That Calves of Steel video that eveyone thought was a waste of money. Who's laughing now? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

What do you guys mean when you say you use the rear brake to 'keep the revs up?' Are you using the brake to slow in a turn while still accelerating the motor against the drag of the brake? ? I don't understand..

Yea, I'm curious too. How are the RPMs rising with applying rear brake?

[Baketech]

[Thread Vortex]

I use the rear brake all the time on the street, but never on track days. Still not at that level yet. In fact...my fricking right toes go to sleep because I don't move my foot around on the peg....

[G-Force Junkie]

Never, except to hold the bike still at a stoplight.

[rawrider]

Street: Use both rear & front to stop quickly, otherwise just the front

Track: Rarely use the rear, only for settling the chasis before a turn. But if you happen to go off into the grass or dirt then it reverses....All rear no front.

[Baketech]

Knowing the rear will save your ass on a gravel road...

[CBRVFR]

Originally Posted by Baketech

Knowing the rear will save your ass on a gravel road...

Unless you have linked brakes....

---and that avatar should bring Pete around faster than a whole passel o' grammatic errors.