If you can only use the back break...  your not riding fast enough.

Quote from: bargovicIf you can only use the back break...  your not riding fast enough.

FYI
the front brake is good for 75-90% of your braking
the only time i use the rear... panic stopping and ORE's...wet grass

Mine squeeks when i am braking.  The lighter the brake is applied the more is squeeks.  It doesn't squeek when moving without braking.  I know my wheel is aligned properly, just adjusted the chain.  I think it is just something you will have to get used to.  If you go with a rear pad made from softer material, as davipu suggested, it probably wouldn't squuek anymore.

'05 stock rear brake pad = squeak

is sad, but I also realized about this problem within days of riding.

i will change my brake pads one day... when I have extra cash.

Quote from: phireI use the rear brake 90% of the time when I need to brake. Front brake is only used when I'm below 5mph coming to a stop or I need to brake HARD

Well, there's your problem...

Try more like 70% front and 30% rear...  Or at very least 50/50.

The front brake is better at stopping you anyway.

Quote from: gsJackI think the rear wheel alignment is a big part of the rear brake squeak problem.

Yeah, I did read that thread and a guy or two said once the pads and rotor were worn down enough to "create its own grooves" the squeek went away which is why I was using my rear brake as much as possible.

Badger - I really do appreciate your input. Gives me much to consider. I also appreciate that you didn't yell at me for being a stupid uneducated noob and instead you offered constructive criticism.

Now, to move on to your points for sake of discussion. I never thought about the weight shift being significant enough to cause the rear wheel to skid. I have yet to run into that problem but most likely because I never hit the rear brake hard. If I do require any significant amount of braking power, the front brake is mostly used.

I actually have practiced braking hard using the rear brake. It was the day before I was due to take my driven (ridden?) test at the DMV and I was running through all the tests to make sure I was comfortable with the course. Believe me, the motorcycle tests here are RIGOROUS. Anyways, I was only up to ~20mph before I locked up the brakes and the rear tire did actually skid a few times when I didn't hit the front brake as hard. When I did things just right though, I was able to slam the front and rear brakes with no skidding. In real life practical situations, skidding is avoided at all costs and the front brake is my best friend.

I probably haven't encountered any of the things you've warned me about because a) The GS500F isn't a very powerful bike and b) I actually ride it nice 99% of the time and don't drive like a maniac.

Anyways, preach on brotha! I'm always open to constructive criticism. In fact, I feed on it. I'm always looking for ways to refine skills and sometimes (a lot of times) a new perspective and someone elses knowledge and wisdom really goes a long ways.

Quote from: RVertigo

Quote from: phireI use the rear brake 90% of the time when I need to brake. Front brake is only used when I'm below 5mph coming to a stop or I need to brake HARD

Well, there's your problem...

Try more like 70% front and 30% rear...  Or at very least 50/50.

The front brake is better at stopping you anyway.

Yeah, that's what I did for the first few days when I got the bike was use mostly the front brake because the rear did squeak so bad. But then I thought... Man I just want this squeak to go away! No real reason, just a pet peeve of mine. Although, since I got on my rear brake regimen, it has started to squeak less frequently and less loud but after 1,200 miles I think it's here to stay.  :guns: