Good job with the binders!

I wonder how many road riders out there really understand the front brake?  I have been blessed to have motocross, hare scramble and trials experience before I became a road rider.  The front brake is a very important tool when riding off road, down steep hills, across wet leaves, or when trying to outbrake a competitor.  Over time you learn how to apply the front brake to fit the situation.

Last week I was riding and a neighbors young puppy ran out in front of me, and I had to use the brakes for all they were worth and got stopped and neither the dog or I were hurt.  I was thankful that hard braking is just something that is now second nature to me........and it is certainly something you should carefully practice if the front brake is intimidating to you.  The front and rear brake are a team - and you must be comfortable with using them efficiently without having to think about it.

Panic stops were part of my motorcycle training course.  Definitely something necessary to know how to do properly, and practice often, so when you do really need it, the instinct is there.

bess227 wrote on 06/18/12 at 13:34:19:



Wow.. I never heard such... I use the front all the time! Bike tires arent big enough to use just one!

rfw2003 wrote on 06/18/12 at 13:42:06:


This is so true, but may be counter intuitive for a novice rider.   In other words, if the front wheel locks and you panic, your brain will tell you to keep trying to slow down before you hit the ground.   It can be hard to let go of that brake as you see an event unfold before you, even tho it might be to your benefit to do so.  One more thing, I wouldn't suggest using a bike you care about to practice front braking on different surfaces.

The front brake is most of your stopping power because of the weight shift during braking.   This is true on bikes and cars, but be aware that pavement, dirt, gravel, snow, etc. have completely different traction characteristics.  Even turning can effect how much braking you actually have.  My beemer has ABS so you can't lock them up under any circumstances, but under certain situations, I turn it off when I need to push the braking further than the ABS will allow.   I think most old timers understand front brakes pretty well, but novices need to be conscious of their riding environment at all times.

"after reading Proficient Motorcycling,"

"Proficient Motorcycling", and Vol. 2 "More proficient Motorcycling" Are the best two volumes EVER written on the subject of motorcycling. These books at the very least will teach you to ride like a pro...And at the very most they will save your life.

My advice? Don't even ride down your own driveway without reading these books. I rode for 41 years before these books came out, and I learned more from them than I knew from 41 years of riding.

Star,

You are the reason I bought it. Mine is the second version of the first one I think.

Either way it has been priceless in what I have learned from it.

Thanks for the advice on picking it up.