Use of Rear Brake.

[usranger74]

One of our members had an accident with his Nomad. Following is how he described the accident.

“Well it happened. I put the Nomad down on Wednesday night coming home from church. The weather has been around 100 degrees the last several days. I was headed home and came into a corner and as I applied the rear brakes it felt like I was on ice. The bike started to fishtail and by the time I recovered I was headed for the shoulder on the left side of the road.”

One of our members made this comment about using the rear brakes.

“Got to watch those rear brakes. I've tried to teach my son to depend on his front brake as he learns. I learned the rear brake lesson real quickly racing motorcycles 35 years ago. My rear brakes get very little use today.”

Why be so fearful of the rear brake? I understand that most of the stopping power is in the front, but frankly I do not like using it unless I am also using the rear.

[cactusjack]

I can tell you too much front brake can put you down too. Too much rear brake will cause you to jacknife, and when that happens, you could be headed for a high side dismount. I had 52,000 miles on the original rear pads on my Nomad, and they still had life left in them.

ABS is the way to go, in my opinion but only when stopping hard in a straight line.

[Top Cat]

I use the rear brake in curves if I think I came into it to fast.
I use both front and rear in straight line stops.

I think your friend may have come into the curve a little faster than he thought, that and the pavement being hot from the freekin' heat we are having caused his rear tire to slide.
I was rounding a curve two days ago in this hot weather and hit a bunch of tar strips. It is the first time my Nomad has ever even wiggled on tar strips. It got pretty loose in the rear but luckily and with no skill on my part it straightened itself out.
There may have been tar strips in the curve your friend lost it on.

[Loafer]

I live on a dirt road, I use the rear brake a lot. When I need so slow up fast the front is in use more then the rear.

[MarkG]

I always try and hit the front brake first for stopping power. Then add the rear brake for the added control and more stopping power. Especially when I am fully loaded both brakes make things easier.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I have always and probably always will use both front and rear brake equally. You have to know how much to apply to each to avoid a catastrophe. Not sure on the spelling of that word. I am sure CJ will correct me if I happen to be wrong.

[ringadingh]

You should use both brakes, that being said, there are times and conditions that warrant which one and how much to apply.
If you go into a corner too fast or all wrong, thats sometimes more than the brakes willbe able to get you out of.

[ponch]

Wow. When I had my Nomad, I would use both as needed, although not always at the same time. On the new bike, the front and rear are partial integral, so if I actuate the front, it does both, the back, just the back. In this case I find that I don't have to step on the rear brake as often. I will say that we don't know the condition of the tires in this case or in any and I will say in one case where there was a CT, applying rear brake in a turn may not give the traction on braking that was hoped for. In any case, if the tire of any type isn't up to snuff, it could be an issue.

As far as ABS goes, it works whether going straight or leaning and a good ABS will adjust for this as well. After riding with it, I'll never buy another bike without it.

[glwilson]

For what it is worth...

In the advanced rider's course I attended; regarding emergency and fast stops they were adamant about using both brakes equally initially; then while holding-steady pressure on the rear-brake you were to use "progressive-braking" on the front-brake.

In other words, use both equally then slowly increase pressure on the front bike until the bike is stopped in an upright position.

We had to learn to stop fast in sharp left and right-hand corners also.

Steps were:

1st: Straighten and upright the bike
2nd: Immediately apply both brakes
3rd: Progressively add front-brake pressure until stopped

This was required to be completed before leaving the outside of the road or inside center line (depending in the turn direction). This was done at 30 and 40 MPH.

We would fail the test if we caused any tire to skid. We would also fail if we didn't stop within the parameters allowed too.

I still practice doing it in this manner; and it seems to work well for me. I hope the only time I need to use it is during practice; but know that is not likely to happen in real-life. ;)

I will also make sure my next bike has ABS on it.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by glwilson

For what it is worth...

In the advanced rider's course I attended; regarding emergency and fast stops they were adamant about using both brakes equally initially; then while holding-steady pressure on the rear-brake you were to use "progressive-braking" on the front-brake.

In other words, use both equally then slowly increase pressure on the front bike until the bike is stopped in an upright position.

We had to learn to stop fast in sharp left and right-hand corners also.

Steps were:

1st: Straighten and upright the bike
2nd: Immediately apply both brakes
3rd: Progressively add front-brake pressure until stopped

This was required to be completed before leaving the outside of the road or inside center line (depending in the turn direction). This was done at 30 and 40 MPH.

We would fail the test if we caused any tire to skid. We would also fail if we didn't stop within the parameters allowed too.

I still practice doing it in this manner; and it seems to work well for me. I hope the only time I need to use it is during practice; but know that is not likely to happen in real-life. ;)

I will also make sure my next bike has ABS on it.

Barring partial integrals, that sounds right to me.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by ponch

As far as ABS goes, it works whether going straight or leaning and a good ABS will adjust for this as well. After riding with it, I'll never buy another bike without it.

I agree!

[crazy8smokey]

whats a rear brake? lol

[ponch]

Originally Posted by crazy8smokey

whats a rear brake? lol

Ask Wyatt. That's all he had. ;)

[cbutteris]

I always use both brakes but am trying to develop a better habit of getting more progressive on the front like Greg mentioned.

Like the tar strips TC mentioned, I really watch for those crack repairs made with tar. They are always greasy on a warm day.

My other big annoyance are those big white blocks of paint in the crosswalks when you are making a turn. I always try to ride between them even when dry.

ABS will be on my 'needs' list should I have the opportunity to shop for another ride.

[cbutteris]

I always use both brakes but am trying to develop a better habit of getting more progressive on the front like Greg mentioned.

Like the tar strips TC mentioned, I really watch for those crack repairs made with tar. They are always greasy on a warm day.

My other big annoyance are those big white blocks of paint in the crosswalks when you are making a turn. I always try to ride between them even when dry.

ABS will be on my 'needs' list should I have the opportunity to shop for another ride.