If you would like to purchase the Tumbler featured in this video head over to www.MCrider.com/Mug These will only be available for a limited time, during the month of April.

@lawmanjapan

2 жыл бұрын

Good Lord, the tumbler looks nice.

@paulbennett1096

2 жыл бұрын

will you ship to u/k ??

Good discussion on brakes. The least used control for me is the horn: it gets used once a year during the annual inspection.

@gnarthdarkanen7464

2 жыл бұрын

I finally found someone who uses his horn less than me... I only ever use it to remind myself what it sounds like (because I forget), which is usually why I don't use it in traffic... Helps to know it still works of course... BUT only just... ;o)

@JBMotorrad

2 жыл бұрын

I use my horn regularly. Not for what you may be thinking. When I am on some lonely back country (paved) road, running 50-65 MPH, and I am approaching a water source for wildlife, like a pond, stream, etc., I will beep out the "Shave and a haircut, two bits" tune. I've stopped a handful of deer over the past 5 years of riding from leaping out into the road in front of me with that technique. They stop cold in their tracks when they hear the horn. I still don't know why they don't stop at the sound of the engine itself, but my bike is not terribly loud, either.

@richardmourdock2719

2 жыл бұрын

Actually, I use my multiple times. Usually when I bump it when I have my handlebar wind covers in place for cold weather. Whenever I try to turn on the cruise control.. beeeeeeep.

@chuckthesham5195

2 жыл бұрын

If I have to stop quickly, I can do that. If I have to use the horn quickly, forget it. I yell instead.

@just_another_Joe

2 жыл бұрын

I have no muscle memory for the horn. I’ve used it once this last year in a crowded gas station lot, only because I anticipated that one car-driver (waiting in line for a pump) would likely be backing up, and I took a fraction of a second to note where the horn button was and readied my thumb over it. I was moving to go around the back of that car when I saw that it was indeed getting ready to back up, so I immediately beeped and they stopped themselves from moving. Any other time, however, if I were needing to find the horn in an instant, I couldn’t. I take immediate action to avoid catastrophe instead, and then go on about my ride.

Thanks for your very useful weekly talks. I'm a newbie rider at 73 years in UK and am really enjoying riding out. I'll keep learning how to get the best out of me and from my motorcycle. See you next week.

@komandantekomandante7466

2 жыл бұрын

Go ahead Patrick !!!! I send You greetings from Ciudad de México.

Great instruction on brake use. You touched on it all. Question: when did "curves " start being called "turns??" I grew up using the term turn for what you do at intersections etc. A curve was when the road was not straight. Practically all KZreadr channel hosts refer to road curves as turns. When the context has been made clear prior to the use of the term I figure it out. When it's not, I get a little behind. Kevin, your communication skills are far above average in my book and you always make the context clear. Thanks for all you do.

MC Rider is the Mac Hammond of motorcycles... Preach brother!!!

I've always used both brakes. I learned that riding / racing bicycles. Control [rear] and stopping [front]. Using both creates a smooth, upright stop with reduced diving. Cornering is always rear brake if I've muffed it and still have too much speed going in. I'm an old fart and the twisty-bit is used in moderation. Drastically reduces a whole bunch of handling problems and results in a notable lack of free roadside inspections and party favours from local police.

I work diligently to keep my GW “in balance,” with no diving and ending planned stops to look as good as Kevin’s. I criticize every stop like a Navy pilot grades every landing.

Good talk, Kevin! We "can" use the rear brake for trail braking and if not over done it really gives a stable ride into, around and out of the curves. Similar for using engine braking. BUT (big but) it is way too easy to lose traction on the rear because it becomes so much lighter. Front brake trail braking is way more safe and still very stable if not going too slow. Practice for muscle memory is key when you want the skill to be present under stress.

On a Goldwing when you use the rear brake , the front (on one disc ) is activated . And on VTX have the same system.

I think it's a good habit to use both brakes at the same time

Working on my slow speed skills, especially U-turns within 2 parking spaces (18’) I was stunned to experience the amazing difference dragging the rear brake made in finding success.

Kevin, I prefer to use downshifting when I know I have to slow down to a stop and come to 15 or less and drag the rear brake using the front brake when I can’t smoothly lower my speed by downshifting. I do use the rear brake only at slow speeds along with the friction zone and throttle. I was taught front brake only unless emergency braking, and who told me to use the rear brake? God Blessings to all. Keep the shiny side up!

Trail braking is definitely an advanced skill. In high speed riding, you have to plan the curve. Get the braking done before entry. If you need to trail, hold it through the apex. If you have to apply brakes during execution, you failed and are at risk of control loss. At high speeds heavy lean, you'll need to hold the trail through the apex. If you planned it correctly, you should be able to come off the brakes smoothly roll the throttle on at the peak of the apex. Smoothness is critical. Don't snap the throttle.

Glad I found MCRider! Returning to riding and like to refresh, actually reconsider and IMPROVE my riding. Video instruction feels more appropriate to an older guy than most KZread videos I've watched. Thanks a million!

I practice emergency stops with both brakes hopefully on day it saves my life.

Happy Friday Kevin I’ve pretty much always used both brakes and stopping and the rear brake for slow speed thank you for your information it’s always enlightening have a blessed weekend. I didn’t have to get myself out of the habit of revving the engine at slow speeds instead of being steady on the throttle

I've done that since day one. Both brakes and the right leg are always up.

Thank you Kevin, for simplifying the understanding of the proper technique.

I use both brakes equally 90% of the time! Non ABS bike.

I've tuned up my own braking techniques since viewing your & various others videos and it helped a great deal. I was tipping my bike and tipped it couple times & could not figure out why. Turns out, it was from a poor habit I developed in my youth of using the front brake at inappropriate times. I'm a member of McRider and happy to be so. Thanks for making your experience so available. There's always room for improvement and I'm a better & safer ridrr for it. Thanks, as always, your loyal viewer.

Thank you for mentioning the concept of the trail brake using VERY slight front brake pressure during the turn. MCrider, you are one of the greats. Thank you. It is not always an advanced rider circumstance when a motorcyclist encounters a corner and finds that the corner becomes sharper during the turn. I frequently encounter turns during which the radius goes tighter and tighter. A tiny little judicious use of some feathering front brake during a turn can keep a person out of the hospital. Thank you again for mentioning this. In other words, the speed control in terms of either acceleration or deceleration during a turn often times is what can either set a person up for a great turn or set a person up for a trip to the hospital.

Kevin, I had a wake up call the other day while traveling in Lodi CA between Stop Lights. I accelerated quickly only to find out the next stop light turned red. Not realizing but I quickly hit the rear brake and the backend skid and I quickly realized, straightened out the bike and used my front brake. Fortunately I used to ride dirt and quickly realized my error. Also I should mention that my ABS doesn't work due to the age of my BMW K1200, known condition. So now I practice more with the front brake with a slight amount to rear brake. I also need to begin trail braking and add that to my repertoire of practice. Thanks for the new and reminder info.

As always, good words to ride by. Thanks for sharing.

I have found myself watching your content a bunch. Thanks from E of Dallas

Good day Kevin ,I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge with us it has made me a better rider 😁

Great explanation Kevin! Thanks!!

Thank you for focusing on life saving training, instead of ONLY April fools jokes like some 'tubers. You rock MCrider!

Excellent informative presentation.

You use the rear brake at slow speed manuvers rather than on and off throttle control to check against drive train slack, giving almost perfect control of power to the wheel.

Great video and advice! Vintage BMW and Moto Guzzi riders know the importance of the rear brake on the road! Keeping that bevel gear from climbing of the rack with a little rear brake is a quirk that made people either love them or hate them! Same goes for the linked braking system of Moto Guzzi!

As always great videos just in time for spring god bless and thanks 🙏 thanks

Good information, as always!

Awesome vid, kevin. I agreed 100%. I tell new riders 2 avoid using trail braking until learned on track; it also means u r going 2 fast entering a public road turn. The best solution 4 them is 2 slow down b4 a turn, 90% of all the braking must b done b4 entering the turn. The focus on public roads is not 2 use your skills 2 travel faster, but 2 travel safer. Anyway, ride safe, god bless u.

Good discussion. Our motorcycle school instructor explained the slight throttle/slipped clutch and rear brake maneuver for slow speed maneuvers turns the increased engine revs into a gyroscope to keep us upright… since it’s the wheels gyroscope action at higher speeds that helps keep upright

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

on some bikes, Vstar cruisers for one, the engine spins the opposite direction of the wheels - so reving the engine up actually cancels out some of the gyro effect of the wheels they did it on purpose to make the bike feel more nimble.... you have to know your bike inside and out

During normal stops, I start with the rear brake first causing the weight shift to start happening. Then applying the front brake evenly finishing the weight transfer. This helps to smooth out the transition. Only takes about 1 second difference. I don't touch the front brake on slippery surfaces or in tight corners like a right hand rolling turn or left had either. I reach the speed of the turn then fine tune that speed with a light touch on rear brake. No sudden changes in torque one way or the other.

I started riding dirt bikes years ago ran a ninja for a while I ride a cruiser now ( so much more comfortable) I wish they had your help when I started riding I had to park in ditch to learn how to counter steer my first cruiser ride . But even now I learn something new every day thanks for the help and reminders

Thank you!

My VTX is a split break system. I use the rear mostly. When I need to stop super fast, both get applied.

Thanks Kevin!

Solid advice👍

Hey Kevin. I just watched "That Eye". Funny thing is I didn't notice the eye. I was telling my friend that I joined MCRider and how much I have enjoy your training videos. He said, "Oh yea, the guy with the eye". I didn't know what he was talking about. Either I am not very observant or I just look beyond outward appearances and focus on the true character behind them. We seem have two common interests, motorcycles and NFL football. Who knows what other interests we may share. Great to get to know you and keep up the good work!

Thanks!

Our brakes are linked, so it doesn’t really matter which is used, both are engaged. *Other than when slow speed maneuvers.

Good video- thank you

Thanks Kevin.

Kevin, on HDs, linked brakes don't engage until you're going a little faster. I don't remember the exact speed they link at but my point is, for slow speed handling, using the rear brake only engages the rear brake and same for the front.

@dawidos117

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Brakes link at 25 miles/h, if I’m not mistaken.

Good topic

This is a good one 🤗🤗👍

I recall this discussion as a kid. I use back brake in certain situations, especially downhill. Dragging downhill, I feel more in control. I live on a hill.

Good stuff Kevin. Early on an older rider told me that 75% of your braking is done with the front brake. I don't know if that's accurate as far as the percentage goes but the idea is the same why would you give up the majority of your braking just by using the rear brake. Keep the good stuff coming.

@FrankFH

2 жыл бұрын

That is about the average percentage, but it varies depending on the type of bike, and a passenger or heavy cargo can change it as well.

@beepbop6697

8 ай бұрын

My z900rs has dual 300mm discs in the front and a single 250mm disc in the rear. Just hardware wise, that's 70% of brake hardware in the front. That little 250mm in the rear is more than enough to lock up the rear wheel. It would be very difficult to lock up the front with proper braking technique. In the extreme case, maximum braking would eventually transition to 100% of the braking force on the front, with the rear 0% because that tire is eventually off the ground when coming to an emergency stop (a little stoppie). You want to use both brakes when emergency stopping -- the front takes more and more of the force as the center of gravity shifts forward with proper progressive braking.

I use both. Been riding sense 1968. Never had any problems

I don't know how many year models have it , my 1991 Honda GL1500 SE has front braking when the rear brake is applied

Good video. I’m actually a rear brake abuser lol. I use the rear brake way more than the front even during regular riding day to day. I use the front brake if I need to stop quicker than I anticipated in a braking situation. Part of it is because I do a lot of parking lot riding and slow speed stuff just because I ride all the time. Going to grocery stores and restaurants I’m constantly dragging the rear brake so under normal circumstances I’m just used to going for the rear brake first lol. Everyone is different

Always I appreciate your excellent videos

I was taught in the MSF to use both. If i feel like im coming in to fast I use the front and pump the rear. But I usually dont use breaks at all and only worry about engine braking.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

dont pump the rear brake - you are only losing stopping power (when you let off). If the rear brake locks up its ok - keep it locked till the bike stops and you will be fine

I mostly use the rear brake, it helps to keep the weight of the sidecar from pushing the bike to the left.

I apply abit more on the rear when coming to a stop. Had tire, tread, cupping issue's in the past when applying to much on the front

I tend to rely much more on the rear brake when riding on dirt roads, especially when coming downhill on a dirt road in the mountains. Is my thinking correct on that?

I started riding late last September and am learning on an Electra Glide. I used to tip the bike a lot at stops but finishing stops with the rear brake eliminated that almost entirely.

@scotthorn5792

2 жыл бұрын

Yes,Me too and learned that here!!!

@thelongeared1

2 жыл бұрын

get your bar alignment checked!!

@IamPinhead

2 жыл бұрын

@@thelongeared1 The bike isn't the problem, it's my lack of experience. I know I need to square the bars when I stop but I need more practice to make it reflexive.

@thelongeared1

2 жыл бұрын

youll get it brother...

@IamPinhead

2 жыл бұрын

@@thelongeared1 Thank you. Trying to get better every time I ride.

I use rear for slow speeds. Use both when vertical and in a straight line. I learned real quick/early to (almost) NEVER use the front in a turn. (Luckily, this happened a very low speed and only my pride was hurt.) Yes, you can use the front when trail braking. It depends conditions of what/where you are. Practice helps you learn how/when.

Kevin how big is the mug how many ounces is the mug? Thanks love your videos learned a lot

Not done watching Kevin - but had to order 2 "mugs" right away LOL !!!!!

Always a 👍

Three inches of fresh snow and 28F this AM in WI. Spring may technically be here, but it's not here, here.

Great informative video as usual…..thanks! Good looking tumbler…can it be send to addresses outside the US? Stay safe 😎

I have a crash video on my channel on what happened when I slam the rear brake. I went off the road and nearly hit the guard rail. Noobie mistake. Happened in May 2018.

never taught riding since age 10 but fun to watch things I do without thinking

i love my rear to shed speed, especially with a pillion to stop nose dive and banging helmets

Like and appreciate all the training content. Even if some people think they are remedial, guys like me who has only been riding 4 months at the time of this comment appreciates the knowledge and information you have. Really like the videos where you discuss and share your faith. Also happened to notice that one of the parking lots you're using is Northwood Church in Keller. It caught my attention because that's been my church home for the last 10+ years. Where do you currently call home?

@MCrider

Жыл бұрын

Hi Brian, small world. We used to attend Northwood but moved churches when we moved further out of the city. I live out in the Haslet area now.

I have always felt safer using the rear brake first followed by the front brake. The opposite feels unsafe.

Even thou I have been riding for 50 years, not ashamed to say braking is my trouble area. Thanks

Only use my rear brake for uphill stops. Need to work on combining them though

I’m comfortable using the front break for trail breaking but using the rear break sounds dangerous to me in a corner. It seams to me that it would be too easy to accidentally push too hard and slide out. I have great control with my fingers but foot on the rear sounds a lot tougher to control. I do use the stopping method at stoplights of letting go of the front break the last 5-8 mph. It works very smoothly. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank u for this video such good info in all your videos and easy to understand .So I have a question that I kind of hope you can answer Im riding a klx230 dual sport for last 2 years and Im going to upgrade to a cruiser type bike my riding experience is basically all dirt bike and trail and dual sport riding for many years I stoped riding for about 20 years and now been back riding dual sport due to my youngest son getting into dirt bikes, what will be the diffrence s I will need to adjust or practice with a cruiser type bike I generally use my dual sport as my main means of transportation so im on the streets of NYC riding a-lot. I know I will have to get used to a heavier bike what else should be diffrent ?

I ride scooters, but use the rear brake all the time. As said slow speed. When stopping always flash the taillight a couple of times, initially start to pull rear lever to scrub speed before pulling both at same times. Not really a trail braking guy, but if I do its rear brake slight drag.

Finishing with the rear brake only make my Goldwing stops smoother but I've always wondered about the ratios with linked brakes - for instance, when I apply the rear brake only what % is transferred to the front brake (and vice versa)?

@FrankFH

2 жыл бұрын

Percentage of weight transfer and braking power is the same with the linked brakes. The main difference is the amount of pressure you have to apply to a front brake lever and rear pedal.

I often find myself using the rear brake when I’m trying to stop my motorcycle. 🙃

@jimfarnell5813

2 жыл бұрын

If you are using the rear brake in combination with the front that’s fine… if your are using the rear exclusively that’s deadly in an emergency stop… in an emergency you will do what you practice… your routine braking habit IS PRACTICE… if you have 3 rotors you are using 1/3 of available brake force… when you lock the rear wheel it will skid & fishtail to one side =>crash… yes even antilock… once my speed is less than 10 mph I smooth the stop with rear brake only slowly releasing front brake… just suggestion… be skillfully safe…

@themotorcyclemasswhole

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimfarnell5813 there’s a front brake?

Back brake for slow and trailing. Front everything else 🙏🇦🇺🙌

I use both brakes always

We were taught 30 years ago in the MSF course to apply the rear brake first followed by the front break immediately after.

@macmac3770

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm - not that I can remember. I’ve been to the MSF classes since 1979 - in my first few years in the military it was a freebie so I went annually - and never have been taught that. Started riding in 1975 and even before the MSF course, was taught front brake first followed by the rear.

@snatr

2 жыл бұрын

I was never taught that, but I seem to instinctually do that myself.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

you can apply both at the same time you can apply the rear hard immediately, short of a skid you must apply the front progressively - depending on your bike up to 1 second before you reach the max braking force of the front wheel....

Even though I learned the proper technique in the MSF course years ago, I got into the habit of finishing my stop with the front brake and putting both feet down simultaneously on my big, heavy cruiser. Every other part of my stop is more or less correct though. I initiate using both front and rear (interlocked braking on my 2018 Yamaha Star Eluder - whichever is applied first, a lesser amount of the other is also applied), combined with compression braking from downshifting, with my feet coming down at about the point where the bike would normally become unstable. On some tight, right-hand turns I'll apply some rear trail-braking (again, interlocked with a little front brake). Emergency stopping is all of the same, just faster. Maybe not entirely by the book, but it has worked for me; so far. Peace and love.

@snatr

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a habit to break to me.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

the problem is you dont know which way the bike is going to lean when you come to stop you can fix this: just as the bike is about to stop (like..1mph) push the left grip forward about an inch. That will make the bike lean slightly to the left just as you stop. Confidently plant your left foot, and then your right - keeping the front brake on to hold the bike stable.

@TJRohyans

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenwittlief255 - Not really an issue for me. When I come to a stop, the bike is perfectly balance as both feet come off the floorboards and rest on the ground at the same time. With the added benefit really that if there's a slick spot on the ground where I might place my left foot, I'm not in danger of dropping the bike.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

@@TJRohyans I thought about this for a day and I cant find any fault with what you are doing. Since your bike links both brakes to the front brake lever you are not losing any braking capacity by taking your foot off the rear brake just as the bike stops. The only drawback to putting both feet out together is that when your feet are both off the pegs you are a little less stable on the bike - you are supporting yourself by your butt on the seat and your hands on the grips, which is not as secure as keeping one foot on the peg (or floorboard) till the other foot is planted on the asphalt. That.. and you look like an albatross coming in for a landing :^) For bikes with brakes that are not linked together keeping your right foot on the rear brake until the bike stops and your left foot is planted, is more stable, esp if you stop on any degree of an incline. I agree with putting both feet down when you are stopped for more than a couple seconds. With both feet planted you keep the bike vertical and there is no weight on your legs to hold the bike up. If you only have your left foot down you have to let the bike lean left a bit, so there is no chance it will fall to the right. Your comment about putting your left foot on something slippery doesnt hold. If your left foot loses its grip there is nothing stopping your bike from falling to the left - having your right foot planted wont help. The only thing you can do is slip the clutch and get the bike moving, assuming you have left several feet infront of you when you stopped....

@TJRohyans

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenwittlief255 - Actually, with both feet down, the bike is balanced vertically, and requires far less effort to keep it that way. It is after all an 825# bike. And I don't have to worry about either foot slipping. If I leaned on my left foot, as is suggested, and I slip, that whole 825#'s is going over - no chance I'm saving it.

When i took the driving licence for Motorcycle in 1972, in Norway, the brakeing technik we was learned when braking, was that first you should apply the rear brake, that would transafer more weight over to the front wheel, then you should start using the front brake and gradially decrease the rear brake ( to almost zero) as you put more and more pressure on the front brake. Today this technic is not mention anywere, but the rules of mechanic and dynamic are the same as they were on Isac Newton’s time. So why is this technic abonden, was it too complicated? And I must mentioned ,then in 1972 we were not teatched about coumter steering technic. That was not known back then.

Rear brake application while turning makes front wheel to steer in slightly and the motorcycle to have a tendency to stand upright. If the rider is not aware of this it can lead to increase in turn radius, which leads to fear, target fixation and even more application of the rear brake which in turn makes the matter worse. Then comes the wheel blocking. It can occur in every speed range if you MAINTAIN the power delivery while cornering.

I bought a Iron Sportster from a family of police. The man said he never used the front break for fear of flipping over the handle bars. The front breaks had never been used

I try to use both of my brakes front and back equally.

Trail braking with rear brake with a bike that has linked brakes also applies pressure to the front…

🙌🙌🙌

how do you use the rear break? Should I move my foot off the peg and hit it with my heel? I cant hit it was my toe because my feet dont turn like that.

@reformedsoteriology

2 жыл бұрын

my feet point out and dont really turn in at all

The back brake should also take priority if there is any gravel/debris on the road.

I have an older motorcycle with no ABS. In an emergency stop how much rear brake should I use? It sounded like, based on what he said, maybe the rear brake is mainly for slower speeds. If I use the rear brake in an Emergency at higher speeds I might lock it up accidentally and go down. If I use only the front brake what will happen? Will it avoid that in most cases? I have been riding for a lot of years but have never felt like I will respond exactly right in an emergency.

@tomjones8883

2 жыл бұрын

In an emergency braking situation you should NOT use the rear brake. The weight transfers to the front so that’s where all the grip is which you can utilise to brake even harder with the front brake. If the rear is unloaded (coming off the tarmac) then any rear brake will lock up the rear wheel and probably stall the engine. It will also turn off the rear gyroscope which stabilises the rear of the bike and hence why rear lockups then going into a fishtail action. Rear brake is just for slow speed control although with linked brakes like the H-D touring bikes, once you grabbed the front brake then either brake does exactly the same linked effect until they are released. Rear brake does NOT make the bike more stable. That’s a fallacy. It’s the throttle that gives the bike stability but by combining the rear brake allows the rider to give throttle and clutch control with slower speeds by dragging the rear brake.

@MCrider

2 жыл бұрын

I disagree and so does the MSF. On a cruiser much more stopping power comes from the rear. In order to stop with max braking power both brakes should be properly applied.

@tomjones8883

2 жыл бұрын

@@MCrider agreed for a cruiser who’s front brake is not powerful enough to haul up the excessive weight of the motorbike then there is still a proportion of weight left on the rear to utilise ‘some’ rear brake. Any bike with decent front brakes then there’s more breaking potential from the front. Not that you have much choice on a H-D tourer with linked brakes as you have no control on the braking bias front to rear. You can even swap from front lever to rear pedal ones the ABS is activated the bias is set. The only way to resent (ie when just wanting to use the rear brake to come to a complete stop) is to let off the brakes and then reapply the rear to ‘reset’ the ABS. Try it. I used it a lot on my Street Glide. Now I have a Herritage I actually have to ‘support’ the front brake with the rear. But on my tiger with good brakes I use the front with the rear in the air when coming o a complete emergency stop so rear brake in the air would be useless. Maybe a rear of A Twist of the Wrist Volume II is required here 🤔

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

Take the MSF beginners course. They cover all this. Here is the short version: the front brake provides 75% of your stopping power but there are two issues: 1. you have to apply pressure to the front brake progressively - about 1 second from off to 'max' so the front shock loads up and weight transfers - if you hit the front too quickly the front brake will lock up and... 2. YOU MUST NEVER LOCK UP THE FRONT BRAKE - the bike will drop so fast you wont know what happened. Because of this you must practice your panic stop and work your way up starting around 20 mph, till you find the point where the front might start to skid, then get OFF the brake instantly The rear brake adds another 25% to your stopping power. The good news is, if you stand on the pedal and lock the back wheel up its OK. KEEP the rear locked up until the bike stops completely or it will snap straight and throw you off. If the back wheel starts to slide sideways keep the front wheel pointed in the direction the bike is going. You get more stopping power from the rear brake if you get right to the edge of skidding than you do if you lock up the back wheel - but you can practice this and find that sweet spot with no risk of dropping your bike. Again start slow - 20mph and lock that sucker down hard and let the back tire skid to a stop - that will build your confidence - then practice every day that you ride (when there is no one behind you) at red lights or stop signs and find the sweet spot for both front and rear. Dont listen to TomJones. You do not have a HD with linked brakes and you dont have ABS. On a cruiser bike the front brakes are strong enough to lock up the front wheel (and drop the bike), and the front brake will NOT lift the back tire off the pavement. If you are going 80mph and have to panic stop, if you use both brakes it might take you 100 feet. If you only use the front brake it will take you 125 feet. (almost 2 car lengths more) If you only use the rear brake it will take you 400 feet! Its farther when the road is wet, dusty or going downhill. Practice!

Trying to explain why a motorcycle is more stable using the rear brake during slow speed maneuvers is like trying to explain how come a motorcycle is easier to pick up off the kickstand when you turn the handlebars full right.

Love it! May Almighty God bless you, protect you from evil, and bring you to everlasting life. Amen.

just a theory, i think dragging the rear brake makes the bike feel more stable during low speed because it doesnt allow the bike to roll forward with the slack of the drive train and only allows the force of the engine to over come the resistance of the brake 😁 also less fork dive when using only the rear brake 😁

@clay1883

2 жыл бұрын

Einstein wrote this right after the Theory of Relativity

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

I agree - if you are going slow and slipping the clutch its a very delicate balance between the force you put on the clutch lever and whether the bike speeds up or slows down. Dragging the rear brake a little makes the friction zone less sensitive when speeding up, and more responsive to slowing down when you pull the clutch in (instead of just coasting)

Manufacturers are moving towards linked braking systems because tests show that a motorcycle stops significantly shorter using both brakes. Modern ABS produced shorter stopping distances that non-ABS for the average rider. Studies also show that in a panic stop scenario riders more often pull the front brake till ABS engagement or skid, they often do not brake well enough to achieve rear tire lift on capable machines. What this tells us is that most riders need a machine that is smarter and more skilled than they are. 😉

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

I think the studies tell us that most riders need to practice their panic stop every time they ride - a few times every day, when there is no one behind them at a red light or stop sign. Pulling the front brake on full because you have ABS will get you sooner or later - when you are on sand, or when the ABS fails and locks up the front wheel. On many bikes you cannot see the idiot lights on your speedometer unless you tilt your head and look down. The ABS fault light could come on and you may not see it. If you have ABS practice your panic stop every time you ride, and stop as if you DONT have ABS - it should surprise you when it activates.

@PetrolJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenwittlief255 I don't know about you but I can feel when ABS kicks in on my R1250GSA. Advocate practice as much as you want there are still going to be people that wont do it. The same people that wont wear a helmet, or eat laundry detergent. I'd rather they practice in a parking lot and not on the street. Get used to the feel of hard braking with one end of the bike, then the other, and both. See what it feels to break traction and recover it in a safish place. I, personally, wouldn't advise anyone to practice their skills on the road.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

@@PetrolJunkie If you want to see how it feels to lock up the rear tire then yeah, parking lot is a good place to get a feel for the bike. Why not practice your panic stop on the street. Riding at a normal pace I slow down mostly with engine compression and dont need to touch the brakes till the bike is down around 20mph in 2nd gear. A few times each day when no one is behind me I stop more aggressively than I need to about 40 feet short of the stop sign (not to the point of a skid) and then creep up to the stop line at 1 or 2 mph - practicing a hard stop and a slow crawl at the same time. Ive never dropped my bike doing this. If you only practice in parking lots you dont get the same confidence as you do on the street, and that is where you are going to need it. I also practice swerving around man hole covers or random spots on the road ahead every time I ride, and taking curves I pull the bike in tighter and go wider just so Im not riding zoned out locked in the outside-inside-outside groove all the time. Think of it like boxing. You dont just stand there and wait till you get a shot and then take a jab... you dance around, stay loose, throw some punches in the air. As long as you are not freaking out other drivers (who might think you are DWI) there is no downside. At least once a day I have to swerve, slow down, get on the brakes, or blow my horn at someone that is not paying attention. Practicing while you are riding keeps you ready. BTW, the cars Ive owned with ABS, you definitely know when its engaged. When it snows I would always floor the brake pedal 100 feet short of the first stop sign out of my driveway just to see that its working and to get a feel for how slick the snow is. Never had ABS on a motorbike.

@PetrolJunkie

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenwittlief255 I wont ever recomend practicing on the street. That isn't the place to do it. It doesn't matter where you practice, practice is practice. Muscle memory doesn't care what or how you do the skill, just as long as do the skill repititions exactly the way you intend to remember them. The parking lot is a lot safer choice for a lot of reasons. If you are actively driving / riding defensively you wont zone out or need to swerve, brake hard, or use your horn. That something you learn in time as you figure out what you're doing wrong to end up in those situations.

Have to say, "at speed" (in traffic), whenever I employ engine braking AND the rear, I see the forks compress... Is that NOT your experience/observation, Kevin??? When I was still being coached, I was warned specifically to be in the right gear for every turn... OR as my grizzled (Ex Army Moto-scout) said it, "Stay the hell off the clutch in curves, idjit!" SO... as we advanced into trail-braking I got rather used to the rear as a good choice to "trim up speed" since it would inherently add force "down" on the front wheel no matter what you were doing... maybe not quite so much as the front, but I suspect that has a bit to do with the "style" / design(?) of the specific bike in question, too... Physics don't change for motorcycles anymore than they do for cars or anything else, really... When you brake (just my observation here) weight shifts forward... That "mashes the front tire into the asphalt" and adds to compression of the forks... AND in curves (trailbraking yet) you STILL have all the front you'd ever want for actually aggressively stopping, should anything come up... Maybe I haven't been around quite as many bends as you, SO I'm interested in the perspective. Pretty great video, as usual, too! AND always good to get some seasoned perspective on matters... ;o)

Rear and/or front brake techniques learning is incomplete without a mention of the ABS

@JackTRyan

2 жыл бұрын

I agree it is important, but IMO that would be it’s own topic: Emergency Braking. So much more could be said about that alone in this format, including bikes without it as well.

@kenwittlief255

2 жыл бұрын

techniques are the same - ride as if you DONT have ABS. if you do have it, and it activates it should surprise you. If you have ABS and slam on the brakes to let ABS do its thing, its just a matter of time before you drop the bike.

Sounds like I am using my brakes as designed. Whew!

This is what my brother told me about braking: don't brake until your almost right too hit rear of truck, then slam on brakes as hard as you can! But my brother never liked me much! He once almost cut my little off with butcher knife because I walked in front of my own tv!!

I learned by the book so my habits include both brakes! edit: some good advice tho!

The linked ABS braking system on a Harley Davidson disengages below 25 mph

@tomjones8883

2 жыл бұрын

Once engaged it stays on until the brakes are released. Try it you can feel the difference in the rear brake pedal