sliding back end

[Dorianfes]

for some reason anytime i hit my rear brake my back end starts to slide aroung like crazy.  i've gotten so good and controlling my bike in a slide i no feel like a dirt biker.  i thought it could be my tire but the tires were replaced by the previous owner.  that means they only have like 1,000 miles on them.  i don't think that this is a lot right?  so what else could it be?  any ideas would be appreciated.

[cernunos]

Do you apply the rear brake gently or like yer bit**slappin' It? Make sure you get in the habit of using front & rear both. Otherwise, if you're using the brakes judiciously It could be a sticking piston in the rear caliper causing the problem. Or, believe It or not, air can be the culprit. The air gets compressed and the piston isn't moving out and you press harder on the pedal and...BAM...all of a sudden the brake grabs. But you love the little thing dontcha? And this forum too I hope.

C.......

[Kerry]

The only points I lost in the skills test at the end of my MSF course was on the high speed (Ha!) braking distance test.  I got up to speed -- probably too fast, actually -- started braking a couple feet late, and laid a rear wheel skid to about 7 feet past the target line.

Needless to say, I was "addicted" to the rear brake.  The front brake had seemed so touchy throughout the range course that I tended to stay away from it.  In addition, I think that coming to bikes from cars predisposes most of us to heavy use of the rear (foot-actuated) brake.

Not that I continued to use ONLY the rear brake.  The repetitive "Use the front brake!" MSF talk helped me there.  But looking back, I figure I over-used for a few months several months; I replaced my first set of brake pads 1,000 miles before my front set.

I had a neighbor who liked to tell me about his past motorcycling experiences.  I happened to mention my braking one day, and he told me that he never used the rear brake.  Huh?  Was that possible?

I decided to find out, and over the course of several days I worked up to using ONLY the front brake as I commuted.  After I convinced myself that it WAS possible, I went back to using both brakes.  But ever since then I have subscribed to the "Your front brake is your friend!" philosophy.

[Dragonfly]

Almost every time I use the brakes, I go for the front brake, followed almost imideatly by a little rear brake, and modulat from there.
I have found that making a fast stop the rear brake helps keep the bike well ballanced.
If you use to muchg rear and to little front than the rear slides all over the place, kinnda a little Moto GP style.. Bling.



Micah

[Dragonfly]

Almost every time I use the brakes, I go for the front brake, followed almost immideatly by a little rear brake, and modulat from there.
I have found that making a fast stop the rear brake helps keep the bike well ballanced.
If you use to much rear and to little front than the rear slides all over the place, kinnda a little Moto GP style.. Bling.



Micah

[nl_carey]

Try getting a better rear tyre too, and perhaps checking out your rear shock (could also be very soft front) - after these two upgrades I have found the back of my bike much more stable generally.
However, after I had some bad emergency braking problems in training, I went to using front brake almost exclusively (only use rear brake at least minute to come to complete stop).  I now use a little bit of rear braking for trail-braking into corners, and sometimes add a tiny bit of rear brake in stopping, but you'd be surprised how little you need it if you feed in and let out the front brake easily so as to not upset the bike.

[ollie357]

Yeah, I have a new '04 GSF and once in a real world emergency stop, I had to slam on the brakes HARD. Although I use both brakes, I think I may have applied the rear with more force. Anyhow, the rear went fish tailing all over the place, but it still felt somewhat under control, not too scary. I think thats just how it is. Use the front brakes more judiciously.

[ollie357]

I meant the rear. Use the front brakes more liberally. Even though the stock fork springs suck ass and will bottom out. Gotta install those Progressives that are in my closet.

[wasabi_peas]

When I'm riding, I've taken to the following:

When riding around town, ride with right foot covering the brake lever (normal)

When riding at speed on the highway, or in the twisties, ride with the ball of my right foot on the right footpeg (meaning I'd actually have to adjust my foot position to access the rear brake).  I've done this to avoid accidentally tweaking the rear brake at speed or as a survival reaction.

Had a car make a left turn in front of me today, and had to grab a handfull of front brake.  It worked fabulously.  As did the horn button.

This way, I work on the rear brake technique around town, and minimize the risk of totally blowing it where the stakes are higher.

[crash]

i always ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs, so that i have to shift my feet up to shift gears and use the rear brake.

so usually, i start with just the front alone and then add a touch of rear when i can get my foot on it.

[Dragonfly]

Ridding with the balls of your feet on the pegs, help you load the pegs in the corners.
I rode with my heals on the pges for about the first 1000 miles when I first got the bike, then I read Sport riding techniques, by nick Ienatesch, and he says to ride with the ball on the pegs..... WHAT A DIFFERANCE!!
It really helps keep your foot from accidently just stabbing the brake, and locking things up.
Also it is a better position to lift your self out of the saddle when setting up for a corner.

Micah

[oldsport]

The only points I lost in the skills test at the end of my MSF course was on the high speed (Ha!) braking distance test.  I got up to speed -- probably too fast, actually -- started braking a couple feet late, and laid a rear wheel skid to about 7 feet past the target line.

I recently saw a post (on another forum?) from somewhere in Scandinavia on this topic of front/rear braking.

As part of their license test, they are required to first lock the rear brake during a stop and then in another pass, lock the front!  
A wee bit more difficult compared to what I went through.

I think the recommended "amounts" are 80% front and 20% rear.  Of course in a panic stop, everything probably goes on full and you get the Scandinavian training all in real time.