When to Use Your Back Brake on a Motorcycle

This video busts the traditional myth about how the back brake should be used when riding different bikes. We look at how braking works and the why and when of how the rear brake should be used to slow the motorcycle. This video covers the details of using the brake on bikes ranging from cruisers to sport bikes and even how world class racers use the rear brake.

[@DennisEldrup]

You miss one very important fact... Weight is dynamic: When you apply your rear brake, you set up your front suspension for the front brake to brake better. You lower the entire bike, making the weight transfer better. Applying a bit of rear brake a split second before you apply the front brake is the best technique. Lowers the brake distance, and is what is taught to motorcycle students atleast here in Denmark. (I'm a motorcycle instructor myself)

[@111jkjk]

very interesting

[@ansmerek]

Also, by loading the suspension you decrease the distance between the front and rear wheel which makes a better turning radius if you are braking into a corner

[@davidlondon177]

@@ansmerek Physics checks out here imo. Did it when i rode xr650l(on the street) with long/tall suspension. Moved to a sportbike the effect is far smaller ie. not worth it.

[@MichaelJeffrey]

I’ve been doing exactly this. Touch of rear then front. Damn, I thought I invented a better way to break. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@MichaelJeffrey]

Is there a difference between trying to slow down and trying to stop? I’ve been using my back brake and down gearing for slowing down for turns and round abouts and front brake when I want to stop or rapidly slow down quickly.

[@fun2gether26]

FINALLY!! An outstanding explanation ! I'm a re-enty back into riding after a 20 year hiatus. The MSF course I took made it clear that the front brake was the most effective. But they really didn't tie together when/why to use the rear brake. At least not as good as you did! Thanks

[@JL-qe5gl]

I occasionally use the rear brake to help hold a line in a corner, not to slow down. It helps keep the forks in a consistent position; but I only do this in rare situations, and never on downhill turns. Also, to make turns at very low speeds in a parking lot for example, keeping light pressure on the rear brake helps to keep the fork more compressed which helps the bike to turn sharper; using the clutch and rear brake to manage the torque of the engine at very low speeds enables you to make much more controlled maneuvers.

[@ADobbin1]

In my riding course they taught me nothing I couldn't have learned on my own in a parking lot near by for free.

[@chuckkelley5894]

But the lot can't sign off for your license.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

its for licencing purposes only, you need to know how to ride before taking the course :D

[@ADobbin1]

@Manny Echaluce yeah but you can't ride it legally without insurance and if you wreck with a learners and no insurance they could pull your learners.

[@olesmokey394]

​@@chuckkelley5894you really don't need a license or a tag or insurance on a 600 or lieter bike iva had hella cops try to pull me over probably for a bull shit reason so I just dip park my bike for a hour while they look for me then go back out do it again I treat the road near my house like a literal race track tho because I know the road

[@avothfis]

Completely clear and sensibly presented. Thank you. Subbed!

[@tularosamoto]

Awesome, thank you!

[@charlespascua9740]

Even tho I'm just an r3 boii I use the rear for controlling the bike not for breaking

[@adam346]

don't forget to activate the rear brake while actively down-shifting and using engine breaking... otherwise people behind you may not understand you are scrubbing speed.

[@marijnkramer6897]

On track it is also helpfull to use the rear brake. On initional braking it helps to use the rear brake when there is some weight on it. It helps to shift the weight to the front, so your front wheel is already a little weighted. So your initional hit on the front can be harder, because it is already a little weighted.

[@tularosamoto]

Yes there are two schools of thought there. Some racers use the rear brake on the track prior to corner entry, many don’t. Either way, it’s an advanced technique that doesn’t apply to most riders.

[@marijnkramer6897]

@@tularosamoto true that. I tried it, but found hard to do aswell, but it works realy good in the mountains with a loaded bike, two up with luggage, this way the bike stays way more flat. So I am training my selve to it.

[@DennisEldrup]

@@tularosamoto But it should. The only reason it's not taught to Americans is that your system is insanely flawed. In Europe it's like 10 times harder to get a motorcycle license, and the statistics sadly show this. We teach this braking technique to all students in Denmark. You can't pass your license if you don't know how to brake properly. This can save your life.

[@gatehanger1385]

The best advice must surely be to go out and find out in an empty parking lot etc what works best for you on your bike

[@vincenttarquini4235]

Spot on explanation. Again like your older video on riding in higher winds, this explains a lot on what I have experienced. Thank you!

[@tularosamoto]

Glad you found them helpful! I’ve got more coming. I just posted my Countersteering video that you might find helpful.

[@AriaNabipur]

Wow, that was so helpful in regards to comparing the different types of motorcycles and weight distribution between front and back! Thanks!

[@tularosamoto]

Glad you found that helpful. It’s definitely not one size fits all when it comes to bikes.

[@AriaNabipur]

@Tularosa Moto I was worried that I wasn't using the rear brake on my sport bike enough. I feel a little better now knowing that people rarely use it on sport bikes. And you aren't the only person I've heard that from.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

Superb ! Thank you. (sport rider 30 years experience)

[@tularosamoto]

Most welcome!

[@janerikernst3508]

Great information 😊

[@letsgomoto151]

Good stuff! Nice video. 👏

[@garymaclean6903]

If you have a current model bike with ABS, the application of rear brakes will never cause the rear to skid. Proper braking technique include using both front and rear brakes. However statements like bikes with significant weight on the rear should mainly use their rear brakes are totally wrong. No matter how your weight is distributed, the weight is transferred forward under braking and use of the front brake will always shorten braking distance. The only possible exception are choppers with extremely stretched out front forks and tiny tires. There the weight transfer is less, partly because the puny front tire can't generate much braking force. In that event the braking distance will be longer than on a standard bike. My bike has semi-linked front and rear brakes. Application of the front brake leaver puts some force on the rear brake, but applying the rear brake only affects the rear brakes . I have ABS so the rear brakes will never lock if I'm applying the front brakes very hard. The comment MotoGP bikes have a rear brake leaver on their left handlebar is something I've never heard of and I see as questionable. There's already a clutch leaver there, and I've never seen a MotoGP bike with two levers on the left... Why would they need a lever there when they already have a rear brake foot lever...???

[@emillutzkanov1348]

As a new rider - thank you for the video!

[@tularosamoto]

You’re very welcome!

[@chrisb4504]

Supurb explanation. Thank you

[@stevewilson8752]

Cool video 😝👍 Cheers from Bundaberg Australia 🇭🇲🍹🕺

[@JockBiker]

As you say one size doesn’t fit all and it all depends. I think this includes the separating rear v front brake on road riding the two can very frequently be used in conjunction to help balance the bike just look at the evolution of linked brakes where a percentage of braking force is automatically sent to rear brake when applying the front brake. On some bikes this can be as much as 25%…

[@nativebikers]

racers break with maximum front break force before the curve and when leaning to the curve, they left the front break. And you have a motor break als well which is very helpful.

[@JL-qe5gl]

How to ride an old school chopper with the following specifications: 1. No rear suspension, no seat springs, 2. No front brake, for that ‘clean custom look’. 3. Springer front end, just springs with no dampening, so that it behaves like you have a basketball front wheel, attached to a pogo stick front end. 4. Left foot operates the clutch. 5. Left hand does the shifting. 6. Right foot operates the rear brake and kickstarter, none of that sissy electric start. 7. The foot pegs/boards are far in front of where your seat is, so there is a lot of leverage on your leg if you have to prevent the bike from falling over when stopped. Also, it can be difficult to stand up when stopped, with the very low seat, due to the rigid frame and thin seat with minimal padding, and a raked and extended front fork. 8. For extra comfort for your passenger there is a sissy bar, and foot pegs so high they’re like gynecologist stirrups. Okay, here’s the scenario: You’re on the south side of San Francisco and you need to get to Fisherman’s Wharf on the north side of town, and due to road construction the only way is over the steepest streets with many stop signs, and lights. Here is the procedure, failure is an option, and a very likely one! 1. Your starting from the side of the road on level ground with no traffic. 2. The bike is started and in neutral. 3. Tilt the bike slightly to the right because you need to use your right leg to hold the bike up while using your left leg to apply the clutch pedal and left hand to shift into first gear. 4. Release the clutch pedal and apply the throttle to start down the road, while shifting with your left hand, so only your right hand is steering during shifts. 5. Now the real fun begins due to having to stop on an uphill. 6. To come to a stop you need to be in neutral, because your right foot has to stay on the brake pedal, so you don’t roll backwards, so you have to put your left foot down to hold the bike up. 7. Next is the tricky part, starting uphill from a stop. Remember you’re in neutral with your right foot on the brake, and you’re holding the bike up with your left leg. This has to happen very quickly and smoothly: 1. Try to level the bike, and then lift your left foot quickly off the ground and push in the clutch pedal, while simultaneously using your left hand to shift into gear, quickly but not too quick, release the clutch pedal quickly and smoothly, then release the rear brake as soon as the clutch starts engaging power and using the throttle to smoothly accelerate without stalling, or rolling backwards. While all of this is going on, remember you only have one hand steering and only one leg to hold the bike up, and you have to be in neutral to stop or you will stall, and you can’t put your right foot down while stopped, on the hill. 2. If you stall, you have to pull off horizontally to the slope so you don’t roll down the hill, because your kickstarter is on the right side, same as the foot brake, and you need to have clearance to kick through the entire stroke. 3. If there isn’t any available level ground you need to put the right side of the bike on the downhill side, so you’re able to kickstart. 4. This whole procedure is way more fun if you’re hauling your old lady! 5. For extra fun add some ape hanger handlebars that are as high as you can reach! 6. I almost forgot; you’re with a few friends riding similar bikes, so have fun on your trip to Sturgis. Oh, I forgot to mention, you have a very small, but cool looking gas tank, so your range is about 90 miles max per fill up. Plan on about an hour of so per gas stop so everyone can ride in a long side-by-side pack, which looks very cool, and adds a little extra fun to the long ride to Sturgis The moral of this story is: Get a real bike with modern logical controls and safety features.

[@evilwestsidefan9249]

Unless you have linked brakes.

[@mr1bienvenu1]

You forgot to mention intersections where there is oil spots on the concrete or sand and small gravel on the road.

[@dandil]

taller bikes shift weight forward more too! I would say tall adv and dual sports might actually do this more than sports bikes.

[@tularosamoto]

Every bike is different so as I mentioned, you'll want to look at the individual bike. ADV bikes tend to have luggage racks and cases and longer back seats so what works for one rider on one bike may not work for another rider on a similar bike that's set up differently. Sport bikes however really push the rider up to the front with their aggressive posture while ADV bikes have a more upright seating that keeps the rider more to the middle. Either way, it helps to test things out in a parking lot to see what's going to work best for you. Enjoy your ride!

[@rs8197-dms]

Well done. This is probably the first video that deals correctly with brake use on sporty bikes - certainly in my opinion. That comment about Sylvain Guintoli not using the rear brake for an entire year is truly revealing. I concur absolutely. Here's my reasoning. When I am practicing emergency stops, I NEVER use the rear brake. Why? If I become accustomed to using the rear brake in an emergency stop, this is what I am going to do in a real emergency. If that happens in a corner, (as you said in the video) applying the rear brake is a bad idea. The potential loss of perhaps 10% of braking force is a fantastic trade if it means that I have 0% risk of locking the rear in a corner.

[@h3llb1lly889]

On my Africa Twin, as soon as the front dives I let off the back brake. If not, I can feel the ABS kicking in on the rear. Unless I'm loaded down for a trip, then it doesn't. Now, that's not to say I don't turn the rear ABS off and have a little fun ;)

[@tularosamoto]

Great bike! I’d love to have one for my Baja adventures. Hopefully I’ll be able to use your tips soon.

[@DirtyMikeReturnToMonke]

just do whatever works for you as a rider and makes u feel most comfy

[@markhall3434]

The new IMU ABS systems spparently mix the F/B brakes for you. At some point a motorcycle will have only one brake input like a car.

[@tularosamoto]

Depends on the bike. I think we’ll see that more and more on touring bikes. Sport bikes will always have them separate because you want to be able to apply the brakes at different times. You might apply back brake only before the front brake or hit the front brake while getting on the throttle. Same with ADV bikes. Once you leave the pavement, you don’t want any front brake. Bikes are more specialized than cars so I don’t think linking the two will ever be universal.

[@billkarsell7029]

Amen to what he said about rear braking on dirt. There steep descents on dirt where you need to lock up your rear brake and drag the tire for speed control. Most modern adventure and dual sport bikes feature ABS. Front ABS is a godsend for dirt. But rear ABS can be terrifying on a steep descent. Your bike can actually gain speed even though you're stepping hard on the brake pedal. For my 2021 Huskvarna 701 Enduro I had to install a dongle that allows me to disable ABS on the rear while keeping it active on the front -- the perfect combination for dirt riding.

[@Haunter_Vlogs]

For bikes under 400cc the rear brakes helps a lot especially at slow speeds. Im riding a street triple RS, I feel like the Rear brake doesnt exist on my bike even at slow speeds!!! same with my old Z900. Do you guys feel the same way??? You put it on paddock, works perfectly, but once you start riding, you have to double check if the rear even works everytime! haha

[@tularosamoto]

I hear you. On my Ducati, the lever is so low I can’t tell if my foot is even on it.

[@blizzthebike]

@@tularosamoto you’re supposed to lower it to accommodate your proportions 😆

[@clanaoaarmyofallah2557]

look guys its all fun and games until reality kicks in. THEORY IS ONE THING PRACTICE IS ANOTHER. i always use my rear brakes on my hyabusa and my gsxr 600 and 750rr and r1 more than my front brakes. I use the front brakes only when i am certian i dont need to slam the brakes to stop for an emergency. if im cruising ill use the front with the back but if i need to stop suddenly its clutch and rear brake always so to hell with these videos. do what you know is safe for your riding style. one thing i know is ive slammed my rear brakes once on my 600 to avoid slamming in the back of a truck that randomly stopped in traffic. rear skid but i had full control of my bike. if i slammed the front it would have been over. lets be real. you cant control your bike in an emergency with the front brakes being slammed. your going to fly over so dont be stupid. USE THE BACK BRAKES AS MUCH AS YOU NEED TO UNTIL YOU LEARN TO PROPERLY USE THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THESE GUYS WILL GET YOU KILLED RIDING. RIDE SAFE GUYS.

[@lallumanohar4107]

My experience is just opposite.i am using a naked Street bike for long time,on road i use 25 to 35 percentage rear brake before adding front brake,so my rear tire is loaded and less dive of front forcks,that is easy way to control the bike.

[@tularosamoto]

For cruising where you're not braking hard that will make for a more mellow ride. Once you start braking hard though you want to get on the front brake as soon as you can and apply maximum pressure as smoothly and quickly as you can. You don't want your rear tire loaded when you go into a corner. You need your front tire loaded so it has grip and you can get the bike to turn in.

[@runalongnowhoney]

It is a myth that single-rotor front brakes deliver less braking power.

[@scottstetson2879]

That pipe on your Indian looks nice!

[@tularosamoto]

Thanks! It sounds good too.

[@scottstetson2879]

@@tularosamoto I agree, sounds great 👍🏻

[@marcmarc6072]

Meh, cruisers sure, if your front end is always diving when applying the front brakes, hows about trying to practice using the lever with a measured application not grabbing a hand full. Lots of practice and the front brake can be gently applied in corners, leaned over..............

[@tularosamoto]

Using the front brake is a whole different story. Trail braking into corners is important but like with the rear brake, there’s a lot of myth about that too. That will be a topic for another video. 😉

[@dannygernaat9961]

Never use my rearbrake, never needed also

[@junkyardautomotive101]

I just went down yesterday on a softail. The asphalt was nasty jagged stuff like exposed aggregate. I think the front brake is what got me. I was just trying to turn down the street. I wasn't going fast but down I went . The bike kinda threw me I think. I instantly got up and picked up the bike to get it out of the road. I'm not questioning what happened here.

[@tularosamoto]

Hope you and your bike are okay. Loose stuff on the road can take you down in a hurry - especially if you’re not ready for it.

[@junkyardautomotive101]

@Tularosa Moto it wasn't loose. I'm always scanning for that. It was just really ruff deteriorated road. But not loose. A guy behind me saw it happen and pulled over I had already picked up the bike in a adrenaline rush . I was able to ride home 3.5 hours. It's the worst ride of my life. Pot holes on interstate 40 while injured and trouble seeing the pot holes at night freezing. I've never had this problem with sport bikes ?!

[@punk303]

Great video, the information is clear, concise, and is spot on. you just earned Sub 569..... haha 69 I find it fascinating how different riders all have different techniques that all basically achieve the same goal. You said you never use your back brake in the mountains, and I kind of use mine heavily,(especially on my cruiser.) Not necessarily as a true "brake." Just to scrub off a little bit of speed. I trail brake a lot in the mountains, and I will often set up with some light back brake.

[@tularosamoto]

When I’m riding my cruiser in the mountains, I use a lot of back brake. Can’t get the bike slowed without it. That single rotor up front doesn’t cut it. It’s when I’m on my sport bikes that I don’t touch the rear brake.

[@punk303]

@@tularosamoto Yeah, there is a huge difference in the braking power of my Victory and my R1. They aren't even playing the same sport

[@nativebikers]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGLCemCNmaelaKM no front breake used when leaning the whole ride long (1h10min video)

[@valskorupko8714]

Keep it short. No time to watch lengthy videos. If you care about your channel, of course