ORIGINAL: Gerg

Being fairly new myself... I saw the same questions... It looks like something of a holy-war between the two camps. It's really up to you to decide what you're comfortable with. Both sides agree that you need to practice, practice, practice, because in an true emergency situation, you'll do what you've practiced. If you haven't practiced, you'll panic, and... that's just bad.

Both Brakes Always People Say:[ul][*] There have been several tests of this theory in magazines, and it seems that the general consensus is that IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, using both breaks will allow you to maintain better control of your bike and stop in a somewhat shorter distance. (Note the IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING part...)[*] A lot of old-school bikers, especially those on non-sport bikes will tell you about stories when they'd lock up the front wheel using the front brake, and there's nothing more scary than locking the front... (Tires have sure come a long way since then..)[*] It's generally safer to use both brakes, because then you have two contact patches working for you. More area means faster stopping, right?
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Front Brake Only People Say:[ul][*] On dry pavement, on a sportbike, with decent tires, you're highly unlikely to lock the front. Ever seen a stoppie? (Of course, what if it's not dry?)[*] If you don't know how to use the rear, you will likely stomp on the rear in a panic situation, thus locking your rear tire, which is scary. Second only to locking your front tire. So just avoid using the rear at all costs. There are lots of videos of bikers not knowing how to use the rear, locking it, then releasing it, only to go for a nice high-side... [*] Mathmatically, you can theoretically stop faster using just the front, with the rear hovering ever-so-slightly above the ground. (Of course, it's extremely difficult to do this, and since when is your world mathmatically perfect?)
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What I Say... (based on my 1st year of biking):[ul][*] It's a holy war. Nobody's going to win, it's obviously close enough that there is no definitive technical answer. So, it's all based on how well you can execute a particular technique. In other words, it's up to YOU.[*] It all depends on how much you've practiced. If you don't practice, you'll *P*A*N*I*C*, and you won't do anything right. If you've practiced a certain technique, use it. Most everyone will agree to this...[*] I believe that people fear what they don't know. So, I try to get to know all the different parts of my bike, including the rear brake. Learn cautiously, practice, and you won't be afraid of it. Go into a corner too hot, mash on the rear, and you'll want to disconnect it just so you don't ever feel that fear again. But as with everything... it's not the rear brake's fault. It's yours.
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Wow, that was longer than I thought it'd be... [sm=rant.gif]

And oh, yeah... Everyone has the right to my opinion...

ORIGINAL: patmandoo

My $0.02 worth,I've been riding for about 30 years and I almost never use my rear brakes.Only during "panic stops" to keep the bike going in a straight line.Or if the front brake alone won't stop me in time.Just my $0.02 worth.