Pbassred Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Filtering time and the traffic on the dual carriagway was creaping when I joined from the slip road. I threaded my way across lane 1 and stopped short of the centerline. I couldn't see anything comming so I eased myself out onto the dotted. As I did that a Harley came past and positioned him self in the middle of lane 2 just infron of me. I hung back so he could pull in in front of me, but he carried on in the clear space. This is all happening at less than 20 MPH I stil in first gear. The car in front of him slows to a stop, he rides into it and falls over. Such a small impact that the car doesn't even notice! I put the hazzards on and stop the traffic. I helped him pick hs bike pick his bike up and he says: "I didn't see you". Light coloured bike, bright yellow helmet, extra tail lights and LEDs shinning sideways and he didn't see me? Even so he has positioned in the center lane nice and stable and Still hits the car. There is no fork dive. its like he didn't even try. If he braked at all it must have be all rear. What's the mindset with the cruiser riders? I see this cool arogance in my daily riding and in Dan Dan's crash videos. Is it a freedon from skill thing? A freedom from basic paying attention? Do they sit in their comfy arm chairs and watch the world go by? I dispair. Riding into the back of cars is avoidable and so not cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husoi Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 What does being an idiot rider have to do with using the rear brake? Your first hint is, he rides a harley... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 I use my rear brake to stabilise the bike in slow speed manoeuvres. I used to live in a city centre so filtered a lot. Using the rear brake works very well in that situation. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Just thought.... "Stop using the rear brake" Does the title mean, 'Bring your motorcycle to a halt by application of the rear brake' Or 'Desist in the use of the rear brake?' 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husoi Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 either will be wrong isn't? I use the rear brake during slow speed manoeuvring and together with front brake when I need to come to halt. The ST1300 will apply the rear brake regardless so I can't stop using it. Using exclusively the rear brake isn't the best idea in my opinion unless as above while slow speed riding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Westerly Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 My bike has a brake system that automatically links brakes to a degree. However the rear brake is a bitch to use because of the positioning of the lever relative to the foot peg. Virtually the only time I use it deliberately is on a hill start. I am on my second set of front pads but still have originals on the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) Use of the rear brake for slow speed manoeuvring is taught as part of the advanced rider training. I did a course in slow manoeuvring skills and it was all rear brake unless you wanted to come to a complete stop. Use of the rear brake while manoeuvring sits the rear end of the bike down and makes it a more settled ride. Edited February 24, 2022 by manxie49 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe85 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Are we using the rear brake or not? The suspense is killing me. 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiddlesticks Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 I recall the trainer on my CBT course had a knackered lower leg. He did all his slow speed stuff using just clutch control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe85 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Just now, Fiddlesticks said: I recall the trainer on my CBT course had a knackered lower leg. He did all his slow speed stuff using just clutch control. Is this a cautionary tale? Or he just couldn't use the rear brake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbassred Posted February 24, 2022 Author Share Posted February 24, 2022 Quote Does the title mean, 'Bring your motorcycle to a halt by application of the rear brake' OK Mr Bullfrog what I should have written was; "stop relying on ONLY the rear brake". Obviously for slow speed manuvers, rear is best, but emergency stops cant be a lazy action. Quote The suspense is killing me. You should get a suspense upgrade. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husoi Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Still to understand what does an idiot Harley rider have to do with rear brakes.... We all know they are even worst than beemer riders 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_M Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 12 minutes ago, husoi said: beemer riders Oy. I resemble that remark. Rear brake. A great aid to slow speed manoeuvring and for minor adjustment to speeds generally. Useful, too, for showing a brake light as information to a following vehicle that you’re slowing down, primarily using engine braking. Honda linked brakes. In my experience the harder you brake using the front brake, the less force is applied to the rear by the linking. It is possible to slide the front tyre forward by braking hard using the front brake and driving the bike forward with the engine in first gear. I did it as part of the Martin Hopp advanced machine skills course - do not try this at home Using the rear brake will apply force to the front though not really as efficient as applying the front brake it will bring you to a halt reasonably well - yes, I experimented to see how effective it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooper74 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Motor bikes have rear brakes .... ?????? Really .... never noticed .... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 1 hour ago, husoi said: Still to understand what does an idiot Harley rider have to do with rear brakes.... We all know they are even worst than beemer riders Errrr No!! I have no issue with working my brakes .... It's indicators I have an issue with! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Frog Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Indicators don`t get me started ! Is it only BMW and Harley that have insane indicator switching? I know my Harley is stoneage but the switchgear and indicators in particular are diabolical. Cheers Ian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastbob Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) Rear brake use depends on the Harley . Mine has twin front discs so in 16,000 miles I don't think I've used the rear brake more than a handful of times . I ride it in the same way that I ride any other bike . Edited February 24, 2022 by fastbob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiddlesticks Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 On 24/02/2022 at 13:56, Joe85 said: Is this a cautionary tale? Or he just couldn't use the rear brake? Physically unable to (or at least not comfortably). Not a motorcycle injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.