quote:

ORIGINAL: Blackdog F4i

Maybe you would like to explain the Physics on that one.

The rear brake MAY possibly be able to provide some friction prior to the front suspension being loaded. After the front is loaded and front brake applied at full force the rear is unloaded. IT CANNOT provide braking force. Physics are pretty clear on that one. I urge you to not regurgitate everything you read and try it in the real world. See how many time in practice you lock the rear up. This is NOT when you ass is on the line and pucker factor is at 100.

The brain can only process so much information in a small space of time. Maybe if every day you practice 100-200 panic stops in a year you will have the skill to load the front using the back brake, then taper off pressure so as not to lock it all the while monitoring the amount of pressure you are applying to the front to make sure you are using the maximum amount of braking force that is available.

BTW, on my bookshelf are:

Twist of the Wrist II - Keith Code
Sport Riding Techniques - Nick Ienatsch
Total Control - Lee Parks
Smooth Riding - Reg Pridmore

Without re-reading them all I believe that everyone states that the rear brake is only good at the VERY BEGINNING of the stop, then must be tapered off. Not something that is easily done for a new rider without locking the rear.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Blackdog F4i

After reviewing the text that I quickly have access to:

Keith Code: "It is my recommendation that you master using ONLY the front brake except when riding in slippery conditions" (A Twist of the Wrist II)

Lee Parks: "The rear brake on a moder sportsbike provides only about 10 percent of the total braking power. During full power stops from 60 miles per hour or more, the rear brake on a sportsbike is good for the first 10 or 15 feet or so, while the weight is fully transitioning onto the front tire. If you keep the rear wheel of a modern sportsbike on the ground, THE STOPPING DISTANCE WILL BE SLIGHTLY LONGER than if you have it slightly in the air." (Total Control)

Nick Ienatsch: "In a true emergency, you might not have the mental capacity to relieve rear brake pressure......" (Sport Riding Techniques) although Nick IS a proponent of using both brakes.

Reg Pridmore in "Smooth Riding" states that he uses the rear to settle the chassis much as I described earler but also mentions that you do not want the rear brake too accessible because you are likely to panick and lock it.

I am sure that should I take the time I can uncover MANY more sources to backup just what I described that while the rear brake serves as a tool it is NOT to be relied upon to stop the bike. The front brake is for stopping, the rear is for setting the chassis.

quote:

Read this and forget about what everyone else says on this.

Always use both brakes even if the back is slidding. I know for a fact that you can control a skid easily if you arent an idiot.

Fact is as follows - 2 tires trying to stop is better than one even if the front is 80% and the back is 5%
If you are in an emergency,yes the front has most of the stopping power but I dont know to many people that will let off of the brakes until they are fully stopped. Hence you will not highside if you are fully stopped even if your back tire was skidding because your momentum will be gone.

Ok so again, click the URL i posted and read it. It will tell you all you need to know about braking.

quote:

ORIGINAL: DThompson

I dont recomend it unless you are a good rider in the twisties but I know for a fact that you can because if im going to fast for a corner and I am in it already than I will hit the brakes.