ForestRunner

Perhaps if you cleaned some of the crap off it you could see what was going on... Not to mention the fact that any crap will interfere with the engagement with the notches that represent each setting in the drawing.

https://www.alpkit.com/products/gourdon-20 I have two. One yellow one for the bike and the missus has stolen my stealth black one. Cheap and waterproof. No internal pockets or anything, but it is only £22.50

I only started riding at the age of 39, so can't help on the parent front as such. That said, I'd echo what the others have said. Just reassure them. I have a CBF125 which I am happy enough with. You could also point out that something like this is a sensible, non-sporty, choice. Not that a sports bike is more dangerous, just that it makes it look like you are not putting speed at the top of the list. This may make them perceive it as safer, and you as more likely to make the choices they would like.

Lol Like that

Cleaned and oiled the chain, did an oil change and swapped out the spark plug for something that might run a bit better given most of my commute is at 8000+ revs. After that I thought I'd do a run to get petrol, just in case anything was off and needed adjusting after that. Completely forgot about using the back brake!! Doh. Had thought I'd make a conscious effort on the next run, then fail miserably. Must keep trying lol

I do the same thing where I touch the front brake lever a few times, not enough to brake, just flutter the rear flight on/off.

Yeah. That will go down well with the missus Haven't had this one a month yet lol

I think I am going to find some quiet forest roads and try a few things out next week. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion: A - I really need to learn how to use the back brake. B - The proportions and timings are different for bikes and conditions. C - There are riders of many different schools of thought. D - There as many men in pubs with opinions as the answers you'd get from two lawyers. Thanks all. More opinions and thoughts the better.

Interesting thoughts all. Currently I am looking to brake before corners. Front brake on a bike seems more natural to me as the braking force pushes the front wheel into the ground as the suspension compresses. On dirt, on a mountain bike, this allows the knobbies to bite and find grip. I would also pick the back end up with my feet to induce a drift and pull the back end around in a switchback. If it was really tight I would pivot on the front wheel. Zero rear brake. Indeed on a fixed wheel pushbike I would often ride brakeless. The equivalent of engine braking only. I do not want to induce a slide on a motorbike So braking is as smooth and early as possible. I think that this plus the fact that there is a disc on the front, which in part of my brain seems clearly superior, is the reason for what I do. It is clear there is some retraining of the brain and body needed

Cheers. Only riding a 125 on CBT. It's an economical thing. However, I will inevitably end up doing my test at some point. As just pointed out, I don't want to develop bad habits that might stop me from passing. I'm off work this week, so haven't been riding. Just clean, oil change and covering with acf50. Which does mean I've been reading a lot and watching YouTube videos on riding technique. Next ride, I'll make it my focus to practice.

Thanks I will try I think it is because it is an extra thing to think of. Approaching a roundabout it is easier to front brake and downshift, rather than add in the third thing of rest brake too. Maybe as gear shifting becomes more ingrained, it will free up a bit of my brain to focus on what my right foot is doing

I an well aware that this is not a good thing. I think I am carrying across bad habits from riding mountain bikes. So, having spent the first few weeks just concentrating on being smooth. Doors anyone have any suggestions on how to develop some better habits. Have read what I should be doing in terms of various proportions, but how do I start to develop the unconscious movements needed to brake better.