I want to modify my rear brake so that it won’t lock-up no matter how hard I stand on it.I’ve locked it up many times before,always inadvertently during panic stops.After the last time it happened I really focused on practicing finesse with it. I was curious if anyone here has taken any measures to modify their own rear brake as such and if so how?
I noticed quite a few people on forums just take off their rear rotor and caliper, Rod :lol:
I wouldn’t do that but i never use my rear brake, although sometimes you will need to use it in certain situations. Try upgrading pads?
Always cover the rear brake man, ALWAYS.
you have to modulate the way you apply pressure, rather than press and hold…this will prevent lockup, its going to be fairly impossible to modify it to NOT lock up, unless you trade in on a new honda with ABS.
just keep practicing.
not to sound like a dick, but it really just sounds like you need to discipline yourself a bit more in order to handle “panic” situations better, or simply to avoid them better (i know they aren’t always avoidable). Stomping your brake, whether it has the ability lock up or not, doesn’t show very much rider control. Panic = road rash or worse.
That being said, i have no idea what your experience is, and i’m not trying to insult you… but i think continuing to practice is the best idea.
Install an adjusable P valve?? and turn down the bias
Don’t worry no offense taken…I appreciate just about any input on the subject.I’ve been riding for about 6yrs. but practice never hurts anyone,no matter what experience you have. Thinking back on every situation I’ve locked it up it’s always been my fault…I’m only glad I’m still alive to reflect on it and focus on what I can do to prevent it. Having said that, I’ve really developed a better feel for the rear brake now and have locked it up on purpose(when it’s safe to of course) to “practice”. I guess removing rear brake power to the point of no lock-up would render it useless.It’d be nice if their was a proportioning valve that reduces pressure with forward weight transfer. Guess I’ll have to buy a BMW with front and rear ABS!!! I’ll try and mess with it to make it less sensitive I guess…then I’ll have to retrain myself.
umm why are you using your rear brake? I only use it with a passenger to help take the weight off her wrists when we brake, other than that I’ve never used it in any situation. I’ve been in my fair share of panic braking situations, none of which involved my rear brake. You should be on the front brake so hard your rear should aaaaalmost be coming off the ground. When you’re doing that of course the rear is going to lock up really really easily because there’s so little weight on it. If you’re rear tire isn’t floating you’ve got more front grabbing to do. Practice stoppies to know where that point is. Also make sure your tires are in good shape with proper pressure for the best braking ability. Again, practice practice practice.
what kind of bike is this?
6 years and you still have no idea how to ride that bike :lol:
he’s riding a 1994 Suzuki RF600. the only solution is to buy a new bike.
I had this problem right when I started before realizing how much more power the front brakes have. So shouldn’t you be able to stop better in an emergency situation by working on applying the front brake more forcefully and quickly along with the rear brake (without skidding on the front tire)? Would upgraded front brakes maybe help this? I’m not too educated on this stuff so maybe a more experience rider can chip in on this.
I won’t have the luxury of a brand new bike for at least 2yrs. my friend,but perhaps something newer than what I have would suffice.
Trust me the majority of my braking,hard or otherwise is done with the power the fronts have(sintered pads,stainless lines, ATE fluid flushed every season).I frequently use the rear,in conjunction with the front, because it’s what I learned and old habits die hard I guess.I also want to keep my rear brake feel familiar.My rear pads aren’t sintered btw but the rotor is a little thicker than stock.
Livin4hockey-- I noticed in photos your front rotors look exactly like mine.
Stop using your rear. There are soooo many reasons to not use it. For example, in an emergency situation you’re partially thinking about how hard to press the rear so it doesn’t lock up. Instead concentrate on nailing the full braking potential of your front and find a way out of the situation. Also, think about how much your bike pitches forward when you’re on the front brakes. Now think about how much weight is removed from the rear. Is it always the same amount? No. Since it’s not always the same amount removed, the point where your rear tire locks is going to be different every braking situation. STOP USING THE REAR BRAKE. When you start sliding your rear tire you have to come to a complete stop. If you let off while you’re still rolling and that bike isn’t completely straight, you’re going to high side.
Install line lock.
i dont think not using the rear brake at all is the correct way to do things, or else it wouldnt be there. You should probably work on mastering both, i got mine down pretty good, but you can ride your own bike however ya please :grouphug:
rear brakes are great for passengers. ask anyone who does track days the last time they used their rear brake and you’ll get the same answer, just before i crashed.
I’ve tried stopping completely with my front brakes but it still doesn’t brake as efficiently as applying both. For regular stops, my front brakes alone will do. But when I need to stop quicker, I’ll use both and it seems to working fine for me. I just apply more brake pressure to the front.
Im suprised at how many don’t use the rear brake. I use it at every stop and also to take away forward momentum when I’m trying to slow down a few MPH.
I would just work on training yourself to stay off the rear brake during emergency stops. Don’t disconnect it. You need it for other situations.
I’m perfectly aware the effects weight transfer has on the rear brake during hard braking.I’m not going to not use it at all because I’ve locked it up during panic situations a few times,in fact quite the opposite. My mistakes fuel me only to be better. I was only curious to see if anyone had performed any mechanical modification to their rear brake in order to make it less sensitive(since this will vary among manufacturers for numerous reasons).
you could just try and modify your front brake lever so it’s more comfortable to use and then break it in half while doing so.
ohwait you already did that about 4 hours ago :lol: