Silly Noob question

[bbq]

Ok, this is probably a really really silly question so please feel free to make fun of me....... 

I just passed my OSC course last week (Canadian version of MSF) and I am starting to practice on my GS. One area I am having problem in particular is the braking with the rear brake, which make me wonder whether I am using it the right way.

Are you suppose to leave the heel of your shoe on the peg and press the brake lever with your toes (like how you operate the clutch), or are you suppose to actually step on the brake lever?

[scratch]

Yep, leave your heel on the peg (this helps if you are in the middle of a turn (downhill left-hand turn, in the rain)), by being able to put your weight on the peg, if it is the outside peg (left-hand turn).

Now, that's advanced, if you're talking in a straight line, same thing, heel on the peg.  But, remember, most of your braking power is in the front; use that more.  And, practice emergency stops with the front.

[MarkusN]

Also, if you can not comfortably do this you may have to readjust height of the brake lever.

[KYGS500E]

double on all of those... especially practicing the emergency stops... they WILL happen... just expect them to... so prepare for it.... for an easier (in normal condition) stop... just apply both evenly... this will bring a smoother stop.... you just want to be carefulll too much rear braking and you get your back tire out from under you... it can happen pretty easily if you're not careful

[pandy]

No such thing as silly  n00b questions, and if anyone picks on you, I'll turn them purple!    

Congrats on passing your OSC, and good job on the practicing! 

Are you suppose to leave the heel of your shoe on the peg and press the brake lever with your toes (like how you operate the clutch)

Yes! 

[MarkusN]

you just want to be carefulll too much rear braking and you get your back tire out from under you... it can happen pretty easily if you're not careful

Actually you should practise to control a skidding back tire (at least goaing straight. You can use this in curves for slides, but that's called stunting and generally frowned upeon on public roads.)

[ajgs500]

What there is a rear brake??

[bbq]

Also, if you can not comfortably do this you may have to readjust height of the brake lever.

Thanks for everyone reply!

Yes I feel a bit awkward with the rear brake. Probably my short legs make it even worse since I've to bent my foot a lot before I can feel any effect.

[mjm]

You can adjust the position and free-play of the brake lever - you may want to try that.

Also, the back brake has a lesser effect than the front- as you brake wieght transfers off the bact wheel to the front, reducing the amount of stopping power available from the back wheel.  This can make proper control of the back brake difficult in panic stops - you stop faster using both brakes but need to keep modulating the back to account for the reduced traction in the back.

Practice those emergency stops!

[scratch]

May also want to bleed the brake fluid, or replace the brake fluid (every 2 yrs).

[john]

No stupid or silly questions.  Only silly and stupid people who make fun of silly noob questions.  We take care of those people...eventually (cracks knuckles ).

[Egaeus]

Ok, this is probably a really really silly question so please feel free to make fun of me....... 

I just passed my OSC course last week (Canadian version of MSF) and I am starting to practice on my GS. One area I am having problem in particular is the braking with the rear brake, which make me wonder whether I am using it the right way.

Are you suppose to leave the heel of your shoe on the peg and press the brake lever with your toes (like how you operate the clutch), or are you suppose to actually step on the brake lever?

Hey, that's a noob question, but not silly.  A silly noob question is "OMGWTFBBQ I JST GOT MY FRST BIKE HW DO I WHELIE U F@#KERS?"  Questions like yours will be smiled at and answered promptly and politely.  We remember being in the same situation.  For some of us, it wasn't that long ago.

[pandy]

"OMGWTFBBQ I JST GOT MY FRST BIKE HW DO I WHELIE U F@#KERS?" 

Wait...this was MY first question.... 

[Egaeus]

"OMGWTFBBQ I JST GOT MY FRST BIKE HW DO I WHELIE U F@#KERS?" 

Wait...this was MY first question.... 

Oh, you're such a liar.  With 11000+ posts, your first question would have been, "What's this I hear about these newfangled horseless carriages?" wouldn't it? 

[pandy]

Oh, you're such a liar.  With 11000+ posts, your first question would have been, "What's this I hear about these newfangled horseless carriages?" wouldn't it? 

Well, back in MY day, we didn't even HAVE a horse'd carriage...we walked for MILES in the snow to get to school.... 

Ok...what was the question again...and did we answer it??? 

[Egaeus]

Oh, you're such a liar.  With 11000+ posts, your first question would have been, "What's this I hear about these newfangled horseless carriages?" wouldn't it? 

Well, back in MY day, we didn't even HAVE a horse'd carriage...we walked for MILES in the snow to get to school.... 

Ok...what was the question again...and did we answer it??? 

Luxury!  Back in my day, we had to walk 361 miles to school uphill both ways, over boiling hot lava that was infested with piranha!  You tell kids that these days, and they don't believe you!

Edit: the question was answered.  We're just threadjacking with silliness now.

[pandy]

Luxury!  Back in my day, we had to walk 361 miles to school uphill both ways, over boiling hot lava that was infested with piranha!  You tell kids that these days, and they don't believe you!

ooooOOOoh...you must have lived uptown in the 'spensive part....