I see a lot of riders, mainly the cruiser crowd, use the rear brake as their main brake. I sometimes watch bike crash YouTube videos and see the same, people using the rear brake and not grabbing the front.
Where is this coming from? Being afraid of flipping the bike over the handlebars? Being used to braking with your right foot on cars? Locking up the front wheel?
IMO, this is a very dangerous habit to pick up. Even with ABS and linked brakes in modern bikes, you are not getting the full benefit of the front brakes and therefore your braking distance is a lot longer as a result.
I pretty much never touch the rear brake during normal ridding. I use it mainly during slow speed maneuvers or for holding the bike stationary at stop lights.
I will use a slight rear brake during heavy braking to stabilize the bike, this was very useful with the Valkyrie I had, I think because the bike is so heavy. Sport bikes don’t need much of the rear brake or none at all.
What is your habit? Front only? Rear? Or both?
Where is this coming from? Being afraid of flipping the bike over the handlebars? Being used to braking with your right foot on cars? Locking up the front wheel?
IMO, this is a very dangerous habit to pick up. Even with ABS and linked brakes in modern bikes, you are not getting the full benefit of the front brakes and therefore your braking distance is a lot longer as a result.
I pretty much never touch the rear brake during normal ridding. I use it mainly during slow speed maneuvers or for holding the bike stationary at stop lights.
I will use a slight rear brake during heavy braking to stabilize the bike, this was very useful with the Valkyrie I had, I think because the bike is so heavy. Sport bikes don’t need much of the rear brake or none at all.
What is your habit? Front only? Rear? Or both?