Why is.....

[Kennedy]

The rear brake so shunned in trackday riding? I've heard so many different things from people making the rear brake sound like a death trap. It all comes down to if you really know how to use it. What do you think?

[Vin]

I found myself using it on VIR North when my front brakes started to fade. Other than that, I don't think I've become fast enough to need all three calipers to stop yet.

[Smokes35]

beacuse rear brake useage causes death...




and cancer.

[Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Smokes35

beacuse rear brake useage causes death...




and cancer.

This is what I'm talking about, whats the real reason YOU don't use your rear brake.

[duc748pilot]

I dont use mine because my front brakes a more then sufficient. thats the only reason. brembo + galfer + nissin =

[jcblitz]

I usually just use the rear brake to shave off a few mph, but not for any actual stopping power. There's a fine line with my rear brakes between stopping and skidding.

[Mack]

I use the rear brake under very hard stopping/late breaking off the straight....I just make sure to never touch it in a bend...although I washed the front at VIR south because I trail braked turn 6 with the front.....my own stupid fault but shit happens

[SilverDragon]

Originally Posted by jcblitz

I usually just use the rear brake to shave off a few mph, but not for any actual stopping power. There's a fine line with my rear brakes between stopping and skidding.

and also coming to stop at a light on a down slope.

[Kennedy]

Well in my own defense, I just like making that horrible noise when hard on the front brakes and on the rear brake too... Bob knows what I'm talking about

[Cakes206]

Front brakes. Last time I tapped the back brake I almost got launched, never again

[High_Revs_17]

Originally Posted by Kennedy

It all comes down to if you really know how to use it.

nuff said...

[IrocRob]

I think there are a couple reasons for the lack of rear brake use.
One is that rear brakes are not very effective
on a motorcycle in a high performance situation.
Any braking force transfers weight off of the rear end of
the bike, lessening the effectiveness of the rear brake.

Another is that people have much greater control and
sensitivity in their hands, than they do in their feet.
(Especially when wrapped up in race boots)

Both of these make it rather difficult to "master" rear
brake use. The simple fact is that you can stop faster
with two tires on the ground than you can with only one.
Unfortunately, the difference is small, and the effort
required to master the use of the rear brake in conjunction
with the front is rather large.

The rear brake is always preferred when riding on loose
or slippery surfaces, such as gravel, sand, grass, etc.
And these surfaces tend to surround the tracks we love
to ride on, so invest the effort and learn to use the rear brake.

You never know when it may save your butt.

[SPRHK]

I'll throw my 2 cents in on this one. When under hard braking conditions, the wieght of the bike and rider are transferred forward,making the backend light.This increases the sensativity of the rear brake,since there isn't alot of wieght on the rear wheel. So applying the rear brake has a tendancy to lock up. Most times, under these conditions, the rear wheel locks up and will slide out to one side or the other or begin to "whip" the back end around. This is not condusive to a fun track experience.
One should use only back brake when you run off the track into gravel,grass, ect. or as I like to call it, an "agricultural experience". Using the front brake in these conditions has a tendancy to tuck the front end , once again , not condusive for a fun track experience .
On the use of front brakes, under hard braking conditions, they need to be applied in moderation. Apply the front brakes, let the front suspension settle then apply appropriate pressure for the situation. Just grabbing the front brake full on will also upset the bike.
Remember this, smooth is key. If you learn smooth braking and throttle control, you will naturally become a much smoother rider. If you master smooth,fast will follow.

[SAXON117]

Originally Posted by SPRHK

I'll throw my 2 cents in on this one. When under hard braking conditions, the wieght of the bike and rider are transferred forward,making the backend light.This increases the sensativity of the rear brake,since there isn't alot of wieght on the rear wheel. So applying the rear brake has a tendancy to lock up. Most times, under these conditions, the rear wheel locks up and will slide out to one side or the other or begin to "whip" the back end around. This is not condusive to a fun track experience.
One should use only back brake when you run off the track into gravel,grass, ect. or as I like to call it, an "agricultural experience". Using the front brake in these conditions has a tendancy to tuck the front end , once again , not condusive for a fun track experience .
On the use of front brakes, under hard braking conditions, they need to be applied in moderation. Apply the front brakes, let the front suspension settle then apply appropriate pressure for the situation. Just grabbing the front brake full on will also upset the bike.
Remember this, smooth is key. If you learn smooth braking and throttle control, you will naturally become a much smoother rider. If you master smooth,fast will follow.

smooth baby, smooth

[CBRBob]

Chris, that chatter you are talking about happens when you overbrake the rear with the clutch still out. Typically under max braking at the track, the rear has less than 5% traction so leaving it alone keeps the stability which is best for most riders.