Does anybody else not use the rear brake?

Originally Posted by Revelation

Am I the only one who does not use the rear brake? I'm a self taught rider never taken a safety class i just bought an old bike took it home got it running used common sense, asked a few questions and took notes from other riders i saw and taught my self how to ride crusing around in my neighbor hood. Recently I noticed I rarely use the rear brake No matter how fast or slow I'm going. I have been trying to coach my brain to use the rear brake when rolling up to a stop sign but i just cant do it. I can stop in pleanty of times using the front brake so i guess why bother.

Am I the only one? or are there others here who dont use the rear brake??

There is a real easy cure for that. Go ride a dirt bike for a while. Front brakes are great till you hit water, dirt, gravel, oil and so on. Front brakes are wonderful for perfect conditions but they'll F you up in bad conditions.

The proper way to use brakes is both of them at the same time (I know not always). Bake brakes are especially important on dirt roads, and similarly messed up traction situations.

I never took a riding course either. Personally, any time someone asks me to teach them how to ride I always tell them to get a dirt bike and go ride in the dirt for a year or two so they can get used to using controls, finding the right gears, dealing with bad traction and learning how to fall off correctly (as in don't stick your hands out but tuck and roll.)

One of the worst things you can do on a bike is lose traction and not know how to get it back. If you never use the back brake yer gonna eventually kiss the pavement.

SD