| Author | Message | ||
     Gotj |
Rear brake use seems to generate some heated discussion. I've seen it here and on another forum to which I belong. The other forum conducted a poll of its members and its results were surprising. I've recreated that poll for BadWebers to participate in at the following link: http://mhe.pollhost.com/ Periodically, I will post the results through that date to keep you informed and keep the poll up in the list of topics. I'm just curious about the data, not opinions or explanations but don't hesitate to share. Later, I'll publish the poll results from the other forum. Blake, if this isn't the best place for this thread, feel free to move it to where it will get the most attention. | ||
| Gotj |
I forgot to show the poll so here it is: Do you use your rear brake on your Buell? Never Only to hold the bike at stop and in slow parking lot turns Always for stopping Every time - for stopping and slowing down As I said above, I've literally recreated the poll so as to create a level playing field for comparing BadWeb responses with the other forum's responses. I probably would have done it differently were I starting from scratch. | ||
| Ferocity02 |
I use it all the time everytime. I think this is partly because my front brake light switch is broken so I have to use the rear brake for the brake light to come on. I think once I get the switch fixed I will use the rear brake less. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I use the back brake all the time. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I always use the rear brake in conjunction with the front, duh!? Most of your stopping power (70%) is in the front brake. But, for maneuvering and cornering I always feather the rear brake. Have a slow speed race with your buddies that ride, last one to finish wins. It is a good way to learn how to use the rear brake, throttle and clutch to steady the bike. | ||
| Jaydub |
i always use it with the front as well - just the way i was taught... | ||
| Ezblast |
I've only used it in severe rain and gravel situations - never the rest of the time - still on my original pads at over 80% on both bikes with over 20,000 on each. EZ | ||
| Jaimec |
Both brakes for stopping. The rear brake will start the weight transfer to the front wheel making the front more effective. Rear brake only for tight parking lot maneuvering. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I use it for every stop. | ||
| Metalstorm |
Mostly for holding her still on a hill. During hard fast stops I will use it to stabilize the rear end. I'll definitely use in lieu of the front on the gravel roads & parking lots. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Always at stop lights. Also for trail braking. Joe | ||
| Interex2050 |
Both brakes for stopping/slowing down. | ||
| Loki |
Depends on which buell I am on..... S1= mostly for trail braking RS= trail braking, slow traffic and two up riding | ||
| Buellmeister57 |
On gravel, or other slippery surfaces. Normal riding I mainly use the front. 5 sets of front pad - 2 sets of rears in 39,000 miles. HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! | ||
| Rocketman |
I only use it for steering, if at all, which is usually when I'm maybe in too hot or attempting to go in hotter. I watched a great 3 hour long DVD on rider safety and training recently, and was listening to Chris Walker talk about his use of the rear brake whilst racing his Super Bike. I was a little surprised to find he used it much more for blending off speed than I would have thought. One of the things I've always fancied doing is adding a thumb brake, but my lack of rear brake use has never convinced me I'd reap any benefit from learning to use one if it was there. I'm still considering relearning my braking skills, but maybe on track is the only real place to do so. Or at least the only place where a real advantage might be gained. After all, where road riding is concerned, old habits die hard. Rocket | ||
| Hughlysses |
I use my rear brake all the time, and try to practice a technique called "tapered braking" when coming to a stop. Approaching a stop, start using both brakes, gradually increasing use of the front brake. As the bike slows to ~10 MPH, ease off on the front brake and increase rear braking. Come to a stop using almost all rear brake. The main reason for this is that you tend to find slick spots at intersections- oil spills, painted lines, anti-freeze, etc. If you're braking hard with the front it's much more likely to lock and cause you to dump the bike. A rear wheel slide isn't nearly as bad. | ||
| Gotj |
Happy New Year! Here are the early returns on the rear brake use poll, Jan 1 2008. Sixteen total votes with 75% voting "Every time". Do you use your rear brake on your Buell? Percent Votes Never 6% 1 Only to hold the bike at stop and in slow parking lot 6% 1 turns Always for stopping 13% 2 Every time - for stopping 75% 12 and slowing down 16 votes total Sorry for the crummy formatting. This board doesn't keep the format that I have in the draft. When I preview, it doesn't keep the extra spaces I have inserted to make it read better. If someone can clue me in, I'll do better in the future. I an HTML dummy. | ||
| Guell |
everytime | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
As you crest the hill at NHIS hard on the gas if you jest tap the rear brake ever so slightly it keeps the front from going airborne. All the brakes all the time | ||
| Gotj |
Hi Folks, I appreciate your comments but please, if you haven't voted, take time to vote in the poll at the link below. http://mhe.pollhost.com/ | ||
| New12r |
I use mine to stop mostly. I voted too. | ||
| Rich |
I use mine, if it decides to work that day. | ||
| Spinzealot |
 voted. | ||
| 12x9sl |
Voted-everytime. | ||
| Donutclub |
I use mine all the time while riding on the street. On the track, I never touch the rear brake. | ||
| Blake |
None of the choices fit my rear brake use profile well, but I chose the closest match, the "Only to hold the bike at stop and in slow parking lot 6% 1 turns" one. I use the rear brake sparingly and lightly. More in wet and gravely conditions. But almost never on the race track. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
voted. | ||
| Brumbear |
we got back brakes? | ||
| Sort23 |
Voted - everytime. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
I managed to get my RS back brake to not leak anymore! New master cyl. & a kit for the caliper. Now, instead of being non-functional, it is non-functional, while retaining fluid! A win-win, if ya ask me! AL |
