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When I learned to ride, I was told that you use the front brake to stop, and the back brake only to assist in hard stops. Now, I was helping a buddy get his permit the other day, and I read that the front brake should only be used for emergencies. Personally, I like the physics of stopping with a front brake ( not to mention I've a pair of disc brakes on the front ). What method is generally more accepted?

I always use a combination of both. It's a good habit to get in to. If you're in an emergency situation, you're going to want to apply both brakes, then ease off the rear and pull the front harder and more weight is put on the front tire.

There are those who just use the front, and that's bad stuff in low-traction scenarios. If it's wet out, you're going to stop a heck of a lot faster using both brakes, and you're not going to remember to do this when that minivan pulls out in front of you in the rain. Practice it and you'll do it automatically, though.

And people who just use the rear brake... I've heard of them, but I think it's quite silly. It will take a much much much much longer time to stop and you've got to be Johnny on the Spot to not lock it up.

You should use both breaks, that is why you have 2. The front break provides 70% of your stopping power, the rear 30% to equal 100%. Meaning you are only breaking effectively with both breaks. Front break only can cause you to stoppie (front wheel wheelie, which is very hard to control and if you do it on accident you will most likely crap your pants and crash.)

The % came from the MSF rider course manual.

I edited the front and rear breaks- good eyes Loon. I can be a typetard sometimes and the fingers get going faster then the brain. Anyway here is what the Motorcycle Operator Manual State of Alaska revised 2003 says..

"Your motorcycle has two breaks. You need to use both of them.
-Use both breaks everytime you slow down or stop!
-Apply both breaks at the same time! The sooner you apply both breaks the sooner you will start slowing down.

The front break is only dangerous if the road is very slippery and you use the break incorrectly.
Using both breaks in a turn is no more dangerous then when you are going in a stright line if you know the technique."

Not to be picky, but it's 70% in the front, and 30% in the rear. Most of the weight is distributed to the front during a stop, which is one reason you need more stopping power in the front. It's also why your bike is equipped with more braking power in the front. I have a single disc in the rear, but a dual in the front. My old bike had a drum in the rear, but a disc in the front. Makes sense to me. Use both brakes, and practice doing so by creating a controlled, maximum braking situation. Where on earth was it in print that you only use the front in an emergency? I'd like to burn that publication.

Cheers,
Loonette

I use the front 100%, with the exception of gravel roads, sand, oil, or any suspicious looking compound on the pavement, or occasionally delicately trail braking to scrub off speed and improve stability on sharp curves on paved roads, or all-out, balls to the wall emergency stops on the street. This does require you to watch carefully for hazards of all kinds, which the MSF tells us to do anyway.
For ordinary street riding the rear is seldom used. Occasionally, but still seldom.

Use both, with more emphasis on the front brake.

The front brake is what gives most of the stopping power.

Hard braking with the rear is a terrible thing to do as it will most likely lock up, and the biginning biker will most likely release as soon as they hear that grating sound, resulting in a high side crash. So rear only isn't too good of a choice.

The safety course I took taught use of both brakes at all times, so that's what I do. It'll extend the life of the pads and give a shorter stopping distance: A winning combination!

Mac wrote:Anyway here is what the Motorcycle Operator Manual State of Alaska revised 2003 says..

"Your motorcycle has two breaks. You need to use both of them.
-Use both breaks everytime you slow down or stop!
-Apply both breaks at the same time! The sooner you apply both breaks the sooner you will start slowing down.

The front break is only dangerous if the road is very slippery and you use the break incorrectly.
Using both breaks in a turn is no more dangerous then when you are going in a stright line if you know the technique."

If they claim every motorcycle has two "breaks" I'd huck that right out the window and get a real manual.

We agree the front brake does most of the work most of the time. Works for me.

I use both with a bit more to the front brakes.

I use both, with favortisim towards the front. Learning the feel of your binders is the most important thing, I use my brakes without thinking, just by feel.... it's a Zen kinda thing, I think. I did eat alot of dirt learning my technics though....