Can you use the Front Brake when Turning at Slow Speed?

Never ever use the front brake when turning on a slow speed! That’s something a lot of us heard from our instructor, right? The idea is that on slow speeds we can apply the front brake only when our bike is perfectly straight and vertical, otherwise it’ll immediately tip over. Well, let’s see if it’s actually true!
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On Moto Control channel you will find videos about motorcycles, motorcycle riding techniques, tips & tricks and online motorcycle training for beginner and advanced riders!
A little info about me. My name is Andrei Bodrov, originally I'm from Moscow, Russia, and now I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Back in Moscow I was a motorcycle instructor and creator of Moto Control Beginner & Advanced motorcycle rider courses, which quickly became the most popular courses in Moscow (well, at least the advanced one😁). My advanced training course makes emphasis on slow speed riding techniques at first (such as good clutch and throttle control, proper riding posture, proper use of vision, etc.), then proceeds to more advanced techniques (such as aggressive braking, trail braking, maximal lean angle). The course incorporates a lot of exercises from DOSAF slow speed riding (similar to police rodeo like motorcycle training in USA), braking and cornering exercises and motogymkhana style riding. And now, since I actively learn English - I decided to post some useful videos for both your and mine practice!😉
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Since everyone writes this, it's necessary, I suppose 🤷, so here we go. Disclaimer: Ride at your own risk, you are responsible for your own safety. Me, Andrey Bodrov and my channel, Moto Control disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of riding techniques from this channel. Use common sense, wear full protective gear and ride in a safe and predictable manner!
#motorcycle #motorcycles #moto

[@laughingmanae3095]

I have a lot of respect for your channel, but as an instructor I feel I have to clarify that the reason I always coach no front brake at low speeds is that many learners are fighting survival reactions, built up over years. If they make a grab for the FB because of panic during low speed turns, it usually ends up on the floor. Technique is fine, when your head is cool enough to apply it correctly. Once anyone has enough practice, it's easy to say these things are possible, which they are... With a bit of experience. Not everyone is a natural 😊

[@dertyberty]

I'm a new rider with first bike. Back brake is awkward as it's new to me, so I been using the front alot more while I trying to work out the Rb at slow speed. My front is quite good and gentle now, and realised the brake pedal is set too high and it's adjustable. I do feel more confident with the rear though.

[@SA-wl1ub]

I did exactly as you described the other other day 😂

[@MotoControlEn]

That was actually the point which I kind of wanted to show, I guess it got lost in translation somewhere😆

[@lucascarracedo7421]

I don't think the video is trying to encourage beginners to use the front brake in these situations, but actually letting slightly more advanced riders know that's it's probably time to start doing new things that weren't very advisable when they were taking their beginner classes since they now have a bit more experience and finesse when dealing with the controls of the bike.

[@briangc1972]

It is a proven fact that is is better and easier to learn the correct way initially rather than learn one way first and a different way second. So your reasoning is flawed. Basically, you are teaching one way then trying to unlearn that way later and relearn the process. That would be the same as practicing wrong technique and hoping to get better. Practice does not make perfect, Perfect practice makes perfect. So teach the correct way to use the front brake initially and have the student practice it as is shown in the video. THAT is the correct way and safest way.

[@samurijder9550]

So, stay smooth on the controls. The best lessons are usually the simplest. Thank you once again. Cheers from the Netherlands!

[@mhoeij]

I do use the front brake at low speed, because my fingers are more precise than my foot. But I don't use the front brake while still powering the rear wheel because then the wheels are fighting each other.

[@franciswainaina464]

As for me I like using front brake than rear..

[@lucascarracedo7421]

This is something a see a lot now and used to happen to me when I started as well. Used to brake more with the front brakes and was still throttling slightly at the end, so I felt this conflict between both wheels.

[@h-disconnected6612]

@@franciswainaina464😂 no shit Sherlock, front brake is most of your braking power

[@markhall3434]

Another reason to use the front is it's hydraulic, and unaffected by cable movement during lock to lock steering wheel maneuvers. Clutch and throttle cables aren't perfect when the jacket twists. Cable upgrade?

[@jackvegas6767]

Just used it yesterday on a parking lot not even realizing it) Yeah, like you mentioned "DON'T GRAB IT!!!"

[@charlesbynum]

When you were working the friction zone and the front brake I thought "Why would you want to do that?", a question that you immediately answered. Your instruction is always solid, your English excellent and your accent delightful.

[@Grahamvfr]

Prior to KZbin, I didn't even consider using front brake on slow turns was an issue... Still don't. A lot of it is muscle memory from yrs of pedal bikes. But I fully understand why the rear is favoured when learning

[@mannyechaluce3814]

I think the what instructors should say, do not do a full stop while your bike's handle bar is not straight, as far using brakes, well either one you could use to slow your bike down, even engine braking, but do not do a full stop while the handle bar is turned in either direction.

[@FTStratLP]

Full stop with turned handle bar is not a big problem when using only the rear brake.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

depends, if its a heavy bike, then you better be strong enough, think, you have the weight of the bike, your fat @$$ weight,plus the momentum ( dependent on how quickly you stopped ) and its turning on a direction left or right :D it Dives to the direction where the wheel is turned, very powerful force :D

[@SA-wl1ub]

The bike fell on me as I am learning and pulled front brake while turning 😂 Lesson learned.

[@everestvirtue309]

Thank you for making another brilliant helpful video I been using the 12 second concept and the cast a fishing line also and its immensely helpful to keep me safe Take care great teacher Thank you

[@everestvirtue309]

Also a great big thanks on the video about whether doing a 3000 U turns is required or not and how our practice time can be Better used, your insight on that was Brilliant and extremely helpful Take Care my friend

[@gokcemuratozaydn799]

Another well deserved ”thank you” for finger pointing to this dilemma; everyone wants to know but can't dare to ask or try 👏👏👏

[@abhinavsingh7089]

I had a habit of using front brake intuitively and today it happened when i was making a turn and had to do a sudden stop which i did using front and it tip over. Really important to use full front brake if only its straight and handle bar is not turned a lot. As mentioned in the video, usinf front brake along with clutch released a bit is one way but during incidents where other vehicle suddenly pops up, better go with rear tyre on the actual turn itself

[@kridcsr1341]

Another helpful technique. Thanks as always

[@vijayam1]

Gentle on the controls and fine motor skills, is learned by practice. Also front brake will stand the bike up, when braked bluntly and aggressively during a turn or wash away the front end in the turn. Good one Andrei.

[@marsoelflaco5722]

It can be done, with practice, but not sure why a rider would want to if the rear break is the best option.✌🏽

[@GroovyVideo2]

just Slightly dragging front brake in steep angle turns // increases grip of front tire in turns - took me months of practice to do this properly and there is fine line between more grip and loosing grip but good results are well worth learning - first used this on bicycles then started using on supermoto bikes too - I have been doing this for 15 years - there is engineering channel that has video on tire grip/ traction that explains why this works -

[@glennpuckeridge6244]

I think that you are referring to Trail Braking?

[@scottg4669]

Months of practice. Key words there. That's great. Keep it up...

[@GroovyVideo2]

@@glennpuckeridge6244 im not doing this to slow down - slowing is done earlier in turn - slight dragging of front brake causes more friction between tire and asphalt - this increases grip at steep turn angles - practice on bicycle is easiest way to learn because brakes strenght can be adjusted and easier to feel /hear tire tire traction change - Tioga City Slickers bicycle tires are the Best tires I have ever used grip is Amazing - try a set -

[@dcccharles4569]

There are some tight downhill slow speed curves that are quite daunting for me to consider riding through on a motorcycle. When I've traveled these tight downhill slow speed decreasing radius curves in my car my estimated speed is approximately 10 MPH, more or less! As I said these are some really tight slow speed decreasing radius curves. The main concern with riding these curves is watching for oncoming vehicles, including bicyclists. Fortunately it's not always a busy section of road but there may be vehicular traffic in the oncoming curves whether you're going downhill or uphill that may present itself. What I've learned from watching several different videos is that my speed obviously must be slow before entering curves when either going down or up these steep curves and it is okay to gently use front brake to maintain slow speed around the curves. Thus, when going downhill I will lightly apply front brakes as needed to maintain a slow manageable speed to go around the curves safely or would rear brake be best? Rear brake may be awkward to use given the frequent slow speed lean angles.

[@Kowzorz]

Throttle amount can contribute with engine braking for your speed equation too. That's part of why a reasonable entry speed helps, because you have a plus or minus speed via your throttle ideally rather than requiring the more definitive, and sometimes less accurate braking power.

[@3GingerCats]

Just for fun, I took my scooter down to where I took the Motorcycle riding test, to see the difference between using a clutch and having an automatic clutch that does what it wants, and gives very little control... I found I had to use the rear brake to emulate the clutch, and use the front brake as well... it's about as hard as Backing a trailer up a hill with corners, and having to heel toe all 3 pedals. It's very hard to impossible for people who haven't done heel toe before, but for an experienced Rally driver it is second nature, it just happens without being thought about! but the moral of the story, it was easier to do the tight course with an actual clutch, rather than a centrifugal clutch driven by a VCT and drive having nothing to do with the amount of throttle or revs, but the speed the CVT wants to do at the time!

[@markhall3434]

Moto C: my problem is I can't keep precise throttle/clutch slip control during lock to lock maneuvers.. I came up with a cheat.. I jiggled the base Efi idle screw a upped the idle speed to about 1100.. 1150 at the throttle body. Now I have plenty of torque to let the clutch out all the way and counter lean at the slowest speed. Chinese 250 EFI Dual sport WITH full street tires.. WOW! Going supermoto.. will weave new 17" rims to existing hubs.

[@markhall3434]

Dual sport tires are No Good for Motorcycle skill development.. their only use is getting from home to the dirt, then are only half assed for the dirt.

[@NakaNakaDerkaDerka]

Japanese motorcycle instructors teach to use the front brake to help make the handlebars rotate and execute a tight turn.

[@233kosta]

I do it all the time. Just a touch whenever I need it. One finger is more than enough.

[@steve00alt70]

I dont use the front brake during a turn at 10mph or less just by habit. I see alot of riders resting their left leg on the peg and putting their right foot on floor. Always rest your right foot on the rear brake when in a que of traffic for safety.

[@usernamemykel]

Your English is excellent!

[@zolv]

Again. It's not the point to present another corner case. Of course it's possible. But please note how many times you've said: "use gently, "use with caution", etc. I can also prove that using my legs only during slow speed maneuvers works as well. Is it worth it? I guess not. The general rule is: don't stop your motorcycle when it's leaning. Pressing front brake, mostly in panic increase the risk of stopping when a motorcycle is leaning. That's it. It may happen with rear break as well, but because rear brake is not that powerfull as front brake there is just a less chance it will happen.

[@funofboredom]

You can do it if you practice.

[@angelkebin6893]

I also applied front brake on slow speed at turning angle i dropped it

[@SH976]

I alway use the front brake with 1 or 2 finger on slow manoeuvre😅

[@demetres1]

It's about how u use something, not what u use

[@orhanbiyiklibykl3179]

❤👏👏🇹🇷🏍

[@lawrenceo3665]

Promo`SM 😃