Anyone Use Rear Brake on 1200RT?

[bimmers]

I have come to find that I am really never using the rear brake anymore. How are you using it if at all, under what conditions and why?

 

h

[TrickLidz]

I use it all the time.

Front brake first, followed by the rear. Mine works fine.

Now, the Ducati.......forget about it! It's useless!!

[bakerzdosen]

I think by definition, you are using the rear brake on your r1200rt (assuming you're using the front brake handle).

 

However, I use the rear brake pedal on my ST from time to time. I know that there was that whole discussion about how to brake most effectively a few months ago, but honestly, I don't do that (load the rear brake before front braking for the most effective stop). I do however use the rear brake if I ever have to brake in a corner or if I'm riding where traction is "suspect" or sometimes when riding slowing in a parking lot.

 

However, yes, if I didn't have partially linked brakes, I'd probably never have to replace my rear brake pads for the life of the bike.

[Jones]

I still use mine. Not because of any fancy technique, I just can't stop doing it. Real hard habit to break.

 

I have been trying really hard to use the "linked brake lever" but I do have to think about it. However, when just tooling around and I come upon a stop sign, my right foot just gently starts making with the rear brake action. I know better but my foot just won't make the upgrade.

 

I have read all sorts of amazingly logical expert rider uber-dude technical explanations on the vast superiority of the Germanic ABS linked brake system derived from Nazi V2 rocket design and I try to comply but I'm not there yet.

 

I'm working on it. I've had trouble with that foot before.

[smiller]

How are you using it if at all, under what conditions and why?

A motorcycle's best braking performance will be realized when both brakes are used. I wouldn't advise getting out of the habit of using the rear brake, would be bad whenever you ride a non-linked bike, plus even on bikes where some minimal automatic activation is created by a linked braking system the operator is much better suited to gauge and apply the proper amount of rear brake.

[Mike05]

Front brake first, followed by the rear.

 

Hmmmm.....

 

You're right; the rear brake really doesn't provide much stopping power.

 

Thast being said, I'm just the oposite; approaching a red light for example, (slight) rear brake first, then let the front brake application do most of the work.

 

Got it in my head too much rear brake only and "away we lock up & slide", but a little helps to compress the front end a bit so when the front brake is used for major stopping power (theoretically) there's less front-end "dip".

[lawnchairboy]

I do however use the rear brake if I ever have to brake in a corner or if I'm riding where traction is "suspect" or sometimes when riding slowing in a parking lot.

 

Yep, me too.

[motoguy128]

only at low speeds when engine braking is too much. Otherwise between the linking and engine braking of the big twin, I don't bother. When I've tried to use it, it's had a very wooden feel almost like the ABS system is overriding me.

 

When I rode sportbikes, I rarely used the rear brake then either. I never saw the point since my rear end was barely touching the ground. I never did mess around with the technique of using the rear first to settle the rear suspension.

 

Some it may be habits from racing mountain bikes. The front does most of the stopping under hard braking. The rear was mostly for a little directional control.

 

As a counterpoint, when riding with a passenger on a sportbike, I did use a fair amount of rear brake because the bike dives less using rear braking.

[bimmers]

As I was riding today I thought about this again. First of all the linkage of course always applies the rear brake also, but no one knows how much, abs kicks in if too much.

IF I use my foot for the rear brake while using the "linked" lever what effect does the foot then have? Any at all, is it overriding the linkage, or what?

 

In parking lots I need to get used to use it as I once dropped the bike halfway when turning and using the front at slow speed.

 

thanks all and last it is so true that when getting on another bike one better be prepared to manually apply all brakes needed.

 

h

[Joe_Rocket]

I use the rear brake exclusively at slow speeds such as in parking lots, driveways, etc. Anyplace where I don't need a great deal of stopping power. I've had some scary issues in my past due to over-application of the front brake at slow speeds (on other motorcycles)

 

Joe

[Chunky]

The RT has a rear brake? Where? LOL Still have my original brake pads on the bike after 42,585 miles......and counting.

[TomfromMD]

As I was riding today I thought about this again. First of all the linkage of course always applies the rear brake also, but no one knows how much, abs kicks in if too much.

IF I use my foot for the rear brake while using the "linked" lever what effect does the foot then have? Any at all, is it overriding the linkage, or what? h

My understanding (and the feel from the RT) is that using the brake pedal in addition to the hand lever alters the normal F/R brake balance, and biases the braking to favor the rear. Seems to me that in normal circumstances, this is exactly what you don't want to do.

Tom

[codougd]

Here we go again

 

Every BMW forum I hang out in has at least 3 threads on linked brakes/ ABS/ best braking technique. All of those threads are remarkably data free. There are lots of opinions, much of it based on long experience no doubt. However I have yet to see anything definitive, that is, something with either actual test results from a reputable periodical or testing company or authoritative advice from the manufacturer. (Shame on you BMW).

 

Personally, I use the brakes on my R1200RT the same as every other bike I have ever owned. This seems to work well. I HAVE had the ABS engage noticeably twice: both occasions involved very difficult traction situations with slippery pavement and foreign substances on the road surface (water and sand in one case and something that had leaked from a tank truck in the other). In both cases, in my opinion, the ABS was helpful in maintaining control of the bike. In both cases I applied the rear and linked brakes (foot pedal and front lever) as simultaneously as my 59 year old reflexes could manage.

 

So there, I've added to the confusion!

[Volfan615]

I use the rear brake exclusively at slow speeds such as in parking lots, driveways, etc. Anyplace where I don't need a great deal of stopping power. I've had some scary issues in my past due to over-application of the front brake at slow speeds (on other motorcycles)

 

Joe

 

+1 When I need to brake at slow speeds in parking lots, turing into driveways it's always the rear brake only.

 

Other times I still use the rear brake even though their linked. It's just a good habit.

[drzep]

On the RT I use the rear brake in isolation much more than I have on any other bike because my front rotors are perpetually warped, and the degree of jutter at 75 mph hurts my arms.

[paul_gardner]

I had a days training and assessment with a UK Police Class 1 motorcycle rider and he taught me to control the bike at an absolute snails pace, like they do when escorting parades etc. He had me going round in very tight circles with both feet up on the pedals.

 

Technique is, using 1st gear with the clutch just biting, you control the speed using the throttle and rear brake only. No front brake!! You actually drive with rear brake on. Believe me it really works, I can now crawl at a snails pace when needed and turn it 360deg in tight spaces.

[Survived-til-now]

ditto Paul

 

How else do you control a bike at really low speed - revs up to say 1500, slip clutch and control speed on the rear brake - do it all the time in city traffic if I can't lane-split.

 

Plus its useful coming up out of the underground car park. Lots of 90-deg turns up ramps and a shiny surface. Front (or I should say combined front & rear) would be too harsh, a dab of rear controls the speed nicely

 

Andy

[Zoom]

I do however use the rear brake if I ever have to brake in a corner or if I'm riding where traction is "suspect" or sometimes when riding slowing in a parking lot.

 

 

 

Yep, me too.

 

 

Slow in a parking lot, yes that makes sense but NEVER in a turn or corner. Your rear will fail long before the front.

If you don’t break that habit it just a matter of time before you and/or your pillion eat a guardrail my friend.

[finallyabeemer]

My, how far we've come from the days of "don't ever use front brake, you'll go right over the bars"....

 

Then again, maybe we haven't. Always/never statements are still just as flawed and incorrect as ever.

[Zoom]

 

Then again, maybe we haven't. Always/never statements are still just as flawed and incorrect as ever.

 

Looks like your saying, never say never.

 

Just kidding; I’ll rephrase.

 

Lets say your entering a turn and you get that feeling that you may be carrying a little too much speed It is difficult to image a scenario were it would be advisable to use the rear break rather than the front while in said turn.

I suppose a catastrophic failure of the front break leaving the rear as the only option might be an example. But even with this extreme example most of the time you would be better off to increase your lean and stay on the throttle.

[finallyabeemer]

Yup. Exactly. Never say never!

I agree stomping (only) the rear brake in a panic situation is not the correct approach.

 

But. I still use rear brake as a control element when cornering. I think it comes from the track and dirt bikes, where I tend to use the rear brake as fine control of rear tire spin exiting corners as it tends to be smoother to use brake for precise adjustments. If rear end drifting wider than desired, a little pressure would bring it back. And wouldn't upset the chassis as much as throttle manipulation did.

I still use on the street when I get into a corner way too fast. If I truly am in too fast, then there is no traction budget (Keith Code credit assigned here) left for braking - I need all of it to generate cornering traction. And with modern tires, traction is amazing and the real limit to cornering starts to become ground clearance. Even with all the improvement from para and telelever, cutting the throttle still results in a bit of squat and loss of cornering clearance. Staying gently on throttle and controlling rear brake to control power minimizes that.