Using front and/or rear brake

The forum is replete with postings about improving the performance of the front brake. Not being a regular rider (actually I haven't been on the bike in years and once it's up again I'll take a safety course to get safe again) I'm wondering if the most of you just use the front brake in everyday braking or a combination or if routine slow stops just use the rear brake. When I got my m/c license, the right answer seemed to be the rear brake or front/rear combo not the front alone. Has theory changed?

For me it is hard on the front only 90% of the time with an assist from the back, just to get used to using both brakes all the time, the only time I will use the back brake only is when I feel the road surface may be slippery, under those circumstances, I will not be going fast anyway.

Jean

For me it is hard on the front only 90% of the time with an assist from the back, just to get used to using both brakes all the time, the only time I will use the back brake only is when I feel the road surface may be slippery, under those circumstances, I will not be going fast anyway.

Jean

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YES to Jean, real stopping power only comes from the front -period end of story- UN-less on slick surface the front can't grip much then need both but with skill not to lock up front or rear. If front brake goes away, then you must use rear only with way more ahead of time caution as brake is weak and has way less grip than loaded down front tire. Going down steep slick slopes requires both brakes but more the rear to try to keep bike in line and front turning to aim.

Everyone else that wants to ride fast seems to focus on lean angles and body position - but I know better - I practice up to panic level braking first to see if I'm up to the rescues needed when going real fast towards limits.

NEVER EVER use much front brake if fork is turned tinyiest itty bitty bit!!!
Trail braking while leaned is the most dangerous state a bike can get into.
Get all braking done before you lean into a sharp turn then can get on throttle
to leave the rest behind while stablizing the bike from falling down.
Don't expect Norton rear brake to hardly be able to lock rear up w/o setting adjustment so it drags just rolling. ugh.

Don't expect Norton rear brake to hardly be able to lock rear up w/o setting adjustment so it drags just rolling. ugh.

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Not so. A properly setup Norton rear drum will lock the rear wheel with ease. If you don't think its possible, send your rear brake to Mike Morris at Vintage Brake. When it comes back and you've tried it, get back to me.

Agreed JimC, i've always found the Commando rear drum brake will lock-up very easily, especially if no or not enough front brake has been applied!

Dave.

I can easily lock the rear. The front TLS is another issue. It is lots better since I arced the pads and now have more than 2" of contact. My trouble is the front was so soft, I never used it, it was like dragging my feet. Now that it sort of half way works I'm afraid of it. I really only use it when on the straight and on good pavement. Never on the gravel, or grass or unknown surfaces. I spent a lot of years just using the gears to reduce speed and keeping a whole lot of distance between me and the next thing, plus lots of attention and planning where I'm going. I still do that. Emergency stopping with the rear wheel off the ground is not my idea of excitement. Don't let the wife see that.

Dave
69S

I cannot lock the rear, but when I put new shoes in maybe it will.

swooshdave said:

I cannot lock the rear, but when I put new shoes in maybe it will.

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That's because you have rearsets. Your mechanical advantage is gone.

Commandos are not likely to ever be very good for practicing "stoppies". I think you would be better off practicing controlled skids with the rear locked up and using the front brake to stop the bike.

Russ