Difference between front brakes and rear brakes?

[viper15]

I know that front brakes control the front wheel and rear brakes the rear wheel. However, I remember in the MSF course that I should only use rear brake before making a tight, slow turn, and never the front brakes. In addition, I should also use rear brake when stopping from a high speed, and not so much the front brakes.

My question is, when is the appropriate time to use each brake when riding? I would love an explanation. Thank you very much!

[Brackstone]

I'll let an MSF instructor correct me if I'm wrong.

But I don't see why you would only use a rear break when coming into a tight slow turn.

While turning YES stay off the front brake and I wouldn't even really press the back break. The idea is you slow down before the turn, then roll on the throttle THROUGH the turn.

You need to use both brakes whenever you are performing any kind of slowing or stopping maneuver. If you rely too heavily on the rear then when you need the stopping power of the front you won't be experienced enough with it and will probably wind up getting hurt.

Oh and P.S. it's ok to group all your questions into one post instead of making an individual post for each question.

[Wrider]

They were right with the rear brake through slow corners. But you need to use the front brakes more than the rear when stopping from high speeds. The front brake provides 70% of the stopping force under normal conditions. I'm not recommending just using the front brake, but I know a lot of people who do.
Wrider

[Brackstone]

They were right with the rear brake through slow corners. But you need to use the front brakes more than the rear when stopping from high speeds. The front brake provides 70% of the stopping force under normal conditions. I'm not recommending just using the front brake, but I know a lot of people who do.
Wrider

Yes I should clarify what I was saying

Wrider is right, if you are in the process of turning then only use your rear brake.

If you are coming up to a turn and preparing to slow down you should use the front and rear brake to slow yourself. But once you are in the turn don't use the front brake while you are leaned over, that's how you low side

[viper15]

They were right with the rear brake through slow corners. But you need to use the front brakes more than the rear when stopping from high speeds. The front brake provides 70% of the stopping force under normal conditions. I'm not recommending just using the front brake, but I know a lot of people who do.
Wrider

I remember during the skills test, I was to come to a complete stop from 20 mph. I did come to a complete stop, but my rear end weaved a bit and I had to save myself from dropping. The instructor told me to use more rear brakes and not as much front brakes. Could you clarify?

[Shorts]

They were right with the rear brake through slow corners. But you need to use the front brakes more than the rear when stopping from high speeds. The front brake provides 70% of the stopping force under normal conditions. I'm not recommending just using the front brake, but I know a lot of people who do.
Wrider

I remember during the skills test, I was to come to a complete stop from 20 mph. I did come to a complete stop, but my rear end weaved a bit and I had to save myself from dropping. The instructor told me to use more rear brakes and not as much front brakes. Could you clarify?

The weave you felt was the rear breaking loose from the road. You locked the rear wheel and skid. Don't do that. You'll get yourself in trouble like that. Use more front brake.


You ask a lot of questions after MSF. Did you ask your instructors things when you were out on the course?

[viper15]

Haha.. yeah I was one of those students who asked a bit too often. I did get my questions answered during the course, but questions that I didn't think about would emerge after the course as well.

What does it mean when your wheels "lock"? So you say that I should place more emphasis on the front brakes when stopping at a high speed? That's actually contrary to what the MSF course taught..

[Brackstone]

I wouldn't say put "more" emphasis on your front brake. Your front brake is just much much stronger than your rear brake. So if you need stopping power you need your front brake too.

If you "Lock" the wheels that means the wheel stops moving. The problem with this is that the bike won't and you go over the handle bars.

[HYPERR]

So you say that I should place more emphasis on the front brakes when stopping at a high speed? That's actually contrary to what the MSF course taught..

A lot of experts including Keith Code says that the rear brake causes more accidents than it prevents. Rear wheel lockup and the lack of knowledge on what to do afterwards causes a ton of accidents; both lowsides and highsides.

[Shorts]

Haha.. yeah I was one of those students who asked a bit too often. I did get my questions answered during the course, but questions that I didn't think about would emerge after the course as well.

What does it mean when your wheels "lock"? So you say that I should place more emphasis on the front brakes when stopping at a high speed? That's actually contrary to what the MSF course taught..

My MSF taught a proportional approach to the front and rear brake. I suspect after you scare yourself a few times, it may be your approach too

The front brake on a motorcycle is more effective than the rear when stopping, especially at high speeds because of the way the suspension compresses forward. The weight shift forward under braking gives the front tire more traction. On the other hand, the rear tire has less traction because the weight is now forward, not back. That's why the rear tire can come loose easily upon heavy braking.

Now, the rear brake does stabilize the suspension. You can feel the difference. Go to the parking lot, and try it out. Try stopping only using the front brake. Then try it only using the rear. The try it using both. You can feel slight difference. Of course, I do not suggest a high rate of speed to try it, just normal stop and go. You don't need to be going too fast to feel it.