Triumphrat

UnklFungus

Am I wrong or is the back brake myth perpetuated by the manufacturers? I have seen so many reviews where they talk about the back brakes. I just watched a review of the Victory Judge and in it they lock up the rear. I also noticed that there is only one rotor up front.

The only time I have tried stopping with my back brake on the Suzuki Savage 650 I had, I crashed.

What gives?

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BonnieBlack

I know the Harley Fat Bob has mythical rear brakes. They are vestigial, just an ornamental tack-on, but apparently have no function. Otherwise, I'm not sure what the back brake myth is. I don't use mine to stop, but I rely on it to bleed off speed going into corners, etc. I think I'm wearing the back pads out quicker than the front ones.

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dogtired

You can also use it to adjust cornering characteristics when your really on it!

Taught to me by HAP.

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Boldor

What is the back brake myth?

Rear brakes are very useful for slippery surfaces and cornering.

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SlowPocono

Cruisers and "choppers" have a rearward weight bias that improves the effectiveness of rear brakes.

roxynoodle

I also highly recommend to anyone coming over to visit me on a bike to use the rear brake only on my gravel driveway. I couldn't help but notice the 20 foot skid mark from someone who didn't realize not to grab the front when on such a surface. Thankfully he didn't lay it down though.

It's also useful if you are stopped on an incline.

So, city folks, take note: use rear brake only on gravel.

hlmiskelly

This would make sense if you ignored momentum. As soon as you hit the brakes the momentum of the bike effectively transfers most of the weight to the front break. This is why given equal size brakes on the front and back the front one will provide +70% of the stopping force. Definitely the positively reinforcing action all engineers look for.

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2009 Bonneville Std - Arrow 2-1 exhaust, Hagon shocks/springs, B/C aibox removal kit, custom paint, fly screen, bar end mirrors, custom Baldwin seat, Lucus style lights

linkdog

The rear brake is also essential for slow speed manuvering.

Baltobonneville

Some (all?) Ducatis also have back brakes that seem to be there only for show. They don't actually do anything.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

echoraven

Don't know what the back brake myth refers to neither.

My Bonnie's rear brake tends to be grabby. Had a few instances where aggressive application had the rear wheel sliding, one of the reasons why I'm not on the "Bonneville as a first bike" bandwagon.

On the Rocket 3 Touring they are surprisingly effective. Learning how to use them.

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