Braking

I know this is going to start a serious debate but after reading a bunch of posts about brakes and brake problem, one thing occurred to me. It seems like everyone has a different way of actually applying the brakes on their motorcycles. I'm quite surprised at the number of people that rely heavily on the rear brake.

So, my question to you fellow riders, is what is the percentage of front to rear brake application you normally use?

Myself its about 90% front, 10% rear in most situations.

I don't know the numbers but WAY more front brakes.

Mark

Just enough rear brake to keep the ass end in check.

Anywhere between 75% front 25% rear and 100% front 0% rear. It just depends on the situation.

As a rule of thumb 80/20, but that all depends on which bike I'm riding too. On my 77 kz650 the rear drum is basically worthless, so I rarely ever touch that, just get enough fade out of it to keep the ass end in line under hard braking, but never touch it unless I'm hard on the brakes. On the new ER6n I find myself using the rear quite often, just to add a touch of brake to slow slightly, but under hard stopping conditions it's just a feather touch on the rear to keep the ass end in line.

i always use both front and rear. thats how your supposed to stop. so i always do that so i will instinctively use both brakes when an emergency arises.

I don't have any percentages, as Testarossa said it all depends on the situation.

In slow (below 25 mph) city traffic I tend to use the rear the most. Approaching a turn braking down from speed I'll usually use both, applying a bit of rear before hitting the front - once leaned over and needing to slow down even more I'll apply the rear gently, if you ever had the front end wash out under you you'll know why....

Most of the time it's a combination of both - I like to apply a bit of rear brake before hitting the front brake, as already mentioned a bit of rear brake will stabilize the rear end before braking hard with the front. I used to use the front brake almost exclusively, but I changed my ways.

Another variable is surface conditions - on gravel roads, wet surfaces or grass I never touch the front brake alone, learned that the hard way.

75% rear,25% front.bj

hocbj23 wrote:

75% rear,25% front.bj

You must be fully paid-up at the karma bank.

Reportedly, front brake use is directly proportional to front tire cupping.

Where feasible, I am trying to use the rear brake a little more as a helper in "normal" slowing and stopping situations. In hopes that it will minimize front tire cupping.

Am recalling that this info tidbit came from Dunlop Tire Co.

But so long as front brakes are relatively perfect, and not pulsing, maybe it doesn't make much difference as to tire cupping.

Good Fortune!

Riding offroad, you quickly learn that you can only brake as much as traction allows. The street is the same way, but with increased traction. On the dirt it's somewhere around 90% front, 10% rear, if at all rear. I have always rode street bikes the same, if the rear wheel is still on the ground, I still have more front brake available :laugh:

mjg15 wrote:

hocbj23 wrote:

75% rear,25% front.bj

You must be fully paid-up at the karma bank.

Yeah, and Im fully paid up at the blood bank too.Lol. Been riding since 1954,always laid off front brakes as road conditions in SETN were not always that great-lots of loose gravel,etc.Learned early on the gears plus the rear brake were more dependable in hard stops than were the fronts.Works for me-have yet to lay one down on a hard brake or panic stop.I do use the fronts some for slow downs in the twisties,and traffic in town but that is for convenience.Everybody has their riding style and thats just mine.I may have to modify some in the future as I have 2 bad knees now so the fronts are going to have to take up some slack due to lack of leg mobility.bj