Hand-brake vs Rear-brake

[RidingAgain]

Thank yall for all the great advice. I'm going to sign up for a refresher course here shortly. I am thinking about doing what yall said and take short hops around the neighborhoods to get the feel of it before I take the course. Then, I'll go as far as my limits will let me, a little at a time. I think I am letting the bike intimidate me.

[Floyd Dolin]

No need to let your bike intimidate you. You'll gain confidence the more that you learn about your bike. Front and rear brake while in a straight line. Greatest stopping power is in the front brake (as others have pointed out). Not wise, nor healthy to use the front brake while in a turn.

[damanning71]

I took the Advanced Coarse with the MSF. (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). It was a blast! I got to use my own bike. I had a lot of fun! I took the coarse to get my M endorsement on my license.

Best 75 bucks I ever spent! I can't even begin to describe how much knowledge and awareness you get after you finish. It's well worth it.

[damanning71]

Originally Posted by RidingAgain

My biggest thing, besides braking, is starting out. I keep wanting to wobble and turn the handle bars. I'm trying to get used to it, but I hate to wipe out leaving the driveway.

Keep your head up, and face the direction you are going. Keep your eyes ahead of you, and you will take off smoother.

[Ed-ramsay]

always look where you want to go and going slow in parking lot on a Sunday morning is good place to practice stopping and starting and stalling lol

[3three3]

My experience has been same: 70% +/- Front. I use rear only for in-town slow-speed stops. First time laying on rear more than front had me fishtail into a wall. I only found front braking less effective in stoping on turns with snow on the ground; tendency to face-plant. Rear braking in snow is anybody's game.
That being said, I feel you are on point. But doing a Lot of empty parking lot trialsis a good idea for learning how your bike feels & responds to different settings.

[RidingAgain]

I've done good not to stall it yet. I haven't driven it but about 1/4 mile total, but I didn't stall it. LOL!

[3three3]

Nice! No stalls is WAY better than I. I stalled more times than i Could calculate my 1st month. The real challange I found was starting on turns. My solution was driving around my neighborhood after hours where stop signs @ EVERY block intersection gave me oppurtunity & when few people about to get in the way. Balancing lean & throttle in a take-off turn is a good practice point for new riders.

[RidingAgain]

After replacing a leaking petcock, and installing a brake-light modulator, I decided this Saturday to just go up and down the road I live on. After about 10 minutes, I hit the BIG road and after 30 miles, I figured I'd come home. Then I got the 'bug' again, and 5 minutes later, I was gone again. WHOA! It all came back to me. I really appreciate all the input and well-wishes. I feel like a new person now and I can't wait for this rain to clear up so I can ride again!!

Pete

[blinnen]

Brakes are for emergency stops only. Just downshift and swerve....,

Be safe out there, theres monsters,,,,


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app