Rear brake question

[adventuredon]

Urban stuff?? Junctions? Filtering? Do you never use your rear brake ... even in the slow stuff?!

I always brake with both brakes (whatever the scenario / situation) and couldn't imagine not using my back brake for walking pace control at junctions etc ...

yes, looking forward to my DCT and struggling with the ability to feather or Having to use a rear brake only on right / tight turns... not

 

[GrinningGSer]

I used my rear brake almost exclusively when I used to ride off-road , but on tarmac I cannot believe that I’m being told that it’s impossible to do mini roundabouts without the rear : truly in disbelief !

 

[adventuredon]

I used my rear brake almost exclusively when I used to ride off-road , but on tarmac I cannot believe that I’m being told that it’s impossible to do mini roundabouts without the rear : truly in disbelief !

try it without pulling your clutch in...

 

[Andi_archer]

Because I find it difficult to believe you cant ride round a mini roundabout without using the rear brake.

I drove around two roundabouts and over a mile distance of two lane bypass without using manual braking once but relying on engine barking and observation alone on an Africa Twin yesterday. Meanwhile the car driver in front was continually applying their brakes. mainly because he was driving too close to the vehicle in front and had to erratically check their speed.

The main differences I find on the DCT AT compared to my 1200GS is the lack of engine braking it seems to have so has to be adapted for in riding style.That and even manually dropping a gear with the flappy paddles does not get the same effect as dropping a gear on the GS.

 

[Spider]

Because I find it difficult to believe you cant ride round a mini roundabout without using the rear brake.

It depends on which of my bikes I am riding at the time but can quite easily negotiate a mini without using brakes, but by using the rear brake it adds stability to the machine when going around a tight mini in the rain, where more often than not, you would find a zebra crossing on the exit, it gives a good level of control and makes for a smoother ride.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Sorry, still don't get it, just make sure you're in the right gear.....no brakes needed whatsoever
I recall that my previous GS's had far more engine braking than this WC variety an cannot explain the mechanical reason for this, so much so that I could ride any twisty in third gear, without any brake use.I fail to see the difference between engine braking and rear wheel braking on stability: are they not the same?
I endeavour to never use any brakes on any bends or roundabouts because tyres are already challenged. If you ride on really slippy stuff it's usually the braker that ends up on his arse.

 

[Spider]

Sorry, still don't get it, just make sure you're in the right gear.....no brakes needed whatsoever

Right gear ??? that'll be first then won't it ?

1st gear on the Trophy, revs just above stalling and it's doing 10mph, feathering the clutch is fine. But for smooth control a dragging back brake brings nice stability to it.

Slow speed manoeuvring like on the mod 1 round the cones ? try that without the back brake.

We all have our own riding styles, I honestly couldn't believe the OP who never used his back brake and relied on the linked system, but hey ho. Safe riding!

 

[GrinningGSer]

There's plenty of test videos showing that in emergency braking, use of he front brake alone will stop you quicker that the use of both front and rear. Rear alone is fck all use cos there's no loading on the tyre and will get you in heaps of trouble.
1.0 min
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ED8BfPtaTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Of course that could be technique and it could be that your brain being distracted by the rear is why front and rear together are less effective
This is where we enjoy the use of linked brakes; whereby the bike does all of the thinking for you and that coupled with ABS POSSIBLY makes the use of front and rear more effective
I am very aware that riding schools teach use of front and rear.
Please show me test examples showing better stopping with front and rear... I am genuinely interested

p.s. SORRY IF THIS IS BASIC ELIMENTARY STUFF

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I use my rear brake all the time
Never use the front much
Using the back brake every time gives a much more exciting ride

 

[GrinningGSer]

Yes, i'm lazy and JB likes excitement

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Yes, i'm lazy and JB likes excitement

Only in moderation

Too much and I need a lie down

 

[Jacal]

What's brakes

 

[Engineer]

LC rear brake virtually redundant for road riding, I almost always blip on downshifts for mechanical sympathy and smooth changes, auto blipper (which is isn’t really) only any good on a fully closed throttle - simples.

 

[Andi_archer]

Technically speaking the GS LC also applies a proportion of back brake when using the front brake.

 

[Engineer]

Technically speaking the GS LC also applies a proportion of back brake when using the front brake.

It does, which is why pressing the rear brake pedal is virtually redundant.

 

[Carlosfandango]

I tried it today - Blimey this bike never ceases to surprise me, it's true, squeeze the front brake when on the centre stand with the ignition on and the rear wheel stops. Why weren't we told? Can't find it in the manual anywhere.

 

[Carlosfandango]

Actually, to be truthful, I've never read the manual, its a motorcycle for gods sake - should I read it, have I missed anything else?

 

[Sea Dog]

Actually, to be truthful, I've never read the manual, its a motorcycle for gods sake - should I read it, have I missed anything else?

We'll you certainly missed that, cos it's in there. I suspect many would be surprised to find out what the tyre pressure monitoring system does too - it actually does measure temperature and correct for it, which is why it won't often agree with hand held gauges or forecourt pressure lines.
I have it the manual in pdf form on my phone!

 

[Andi_archer]

Actually, to be truthful, I've never read the manual, its a motorcycle for gods sake - should I read it, have I missed anything else?

Technology fails the design test if you have to read the manual

 

[Daxaar]

Technology fails the design test if you have to read the manual

Surely if it's so unobtrusive that you only know it's there by reading the manual it's passed the design test?

I thought reading the spec sheets and a copy of the online manual over and over again was a prerequisite whilst awaiting delivery of a new bike anyway.