Coveer the brake

[freebird6]

Watching this video and talking it through with my wife

I cover my brake 100 per cent of the time. Never was able to hold the throttle or left grip with my fingers wrapped around the grip. Using a crampbuster as a paddle my hand lays flat on top of the grip covering the brake with 2 3 fingers and use 1 or 2 on the throttle with the heel of the right hand laying on the crampbuster. My wife said she always rolls her hand around the throttle and called the Crampbuster things I will not repeat....saying "the times I used it I almost killed myself" .

We are split here in this house......Interested to hear what other folks do when they ride. Fascinating video. I don't think I ever felt comfy with my hands around the throttle

 

[ron203]

I do this too. Side benefit is that it’s easier on hands with a little arthritic soreness.

One guy I used to ride with went to a riders course at a Harley dealership a few years and came back saying they told him not to do it because it reduced his “grip” on the handlebars or something. (Too much shaking?)

 

[kzz1king]

I do this too. Side benefit is that it’s easier on hands with a little arthritic soreness.

One guy I used to ride with went to a riders course at a Harley dealership a few years and came back saying they told him not to do it because it reduced his “grip” on the handlebars or something. (Too much shaking?)

I have heard a lot of bad advice from other riders many on cruisers. Never use the front break in a corner or some say not at all, Had to lay er down, and similar .
I don't always cover my front brake but I do anytime I am in traffic, entering a corner or blind spots. I have tried the cramp buster but it didn't work for me.

 

[rlievenski4555]

I have heard a lot of bad advice from other riders many on cruisers. Never use the front break in a corner or some say not at all, Had to lay er down, and similar .
I don't always cover my front brake but I do anytime I am in traffic, entering a corner or blind spots. I have tried the cramp buster but it didn't work for me.

Watching this video and talking it through with my wife

I cover my brake 100 per cent of the time. Never was able to hold the throttle or left grip with my fingers wrapped around the grip. Using a crampbuster as a paddle my hand lays flat on top of the grip covering the brake with 2 3 fingers and use 1 or 2 on the throttle with the heel of the right hand laying on the crampbuster. My wife said she always rolls her hand around the throttle and called the Crampbuster things I will not repeat....saying "the times I used it I almost killed myself" .

We are split here in this house......Interested to hear what other folks do when they ride. Fascinating video. I don't think I ever felt comfy with my hands around the throttle

I bought the Champ U course and street survival add on last March to go through on a long flight to Japan. Surely an in person course would be optimal; however, I thought the content was excellent. I still use the techniques and feel it has definitely improved my riding.

 

[greenie]

I do when I remember to do the things I should always do.

 

[S Smith]

FWIW - MSF instruction for new riders is to not cover the front brake. Experienced rider should use good judgement.
I will not cover my front brake except when riding in traffic, or when I feel a quicker than normal response may be required.

 

[rlievenski4555]

FWIW - MSF instruction for new riders is to not cover the front brake. Experienced rider should use good judgement.
I will not cover my front brake except when riding in traffic, or when I feel a quicker than normal response may be required.

The Champ U content underscores this concept of covering the brake in situations of heightened risk. It does not advocate doing it all the time. In the moment, the reaction time advantage can really save your bacon.

 

[connie_rider]

I don't cover 100% of the time, but I can see their point.
It would save you some precious time.

I think that I'm covering the front brake more than I used to. {because of things I've been doing}

I started using Trail Braking in the corners.
I've taught myself to use front brake only.
NOTE: Even though I've taught myself to use the front I've found that I always go to front and rear in an emergency.
(Can't help myself. It's an automatic instinct)

That automatic instinct to hit the rear brake may give us a tiny "time" advantage in an emergency. (??}
{Because the Linked Brake's on the C-14's will start engaging the front a tiny bit quicker}.

Ride safe, Ted

 

[redline]

i just recently watched this video and the importance of throttle control you might find really helpful. covering your brakes , always, is a no brainer for me.

 

[connie_rider]

Just thought of something that applies in this discussion.

On the C-14 we have linked brakes.
Applying the rear brake also applies force to one caliper on the front.

So, (to decrease reaction time) covering the rear brake would accomplish the same thing as covering the front brake?
Thoughts??

Ride safe, Ted

 

[santacruzrider]

I only cover the rear brake when I think I get might surprised and need to stop fast or react to something unexpected — so pretty much 99%. About the only time I don’t cover the front is when I’m crawling through a parking lot. That’s a situation where I’ve found I can be making a sharp turn, suddenly brake hard in reaction to something, and my bike comes to quick stop with the front wheel turned and I’m going into a drop. For low speed parking lot turns, I’m close to 100% rear only (I don’t have linked brakes).
BTW: I went through the digital Yamaha Champ deal during covid boredom. I found it really interesting, but I think it’s really slowed down my riding pace with now using way less engine braking and more mid turn front brake. I’m doing something wrong.

 

[kzz1king]

Just thought of something that applies in this discussion.

On the C-14 we have linked brakes.
Applying the rear brake also applies force to one caliper on the front.

So, (to decrease reaction time) covering the rear brake would accomplish the same thing as covering the front brake?
Thoughts??

Ride safe, Ted

I think to an extent but less than half power until you grab. I am able to control the front better and if you also have to turn that is an advantage. In emergency full force on our bikes gets some nice weight on the front also. I guess a person could test it out.

 

[freebird6]

Just thought of something that applies in this discussion.

On the C-14 we have linked brakes.
Applying the rear brake also applies force to one caliper on the front.

So, (to decrease reaction time) covering the rear brake would accomplish the same thing as covering the front brake?
Thoughts??

Ride safe, Ted

This has been a major interest of mine for years. After the idjut that blew the stop sign left me with a right ankle that does not move and is in a new position I could not understand why so many dudes eshewed linked brakes. Now that I have no effective ankle to use the rear the linked brakes are a godsend. Computer figures out how and where to send the correct apportionment. Great responses from everyone. THanks

 

[Konehead34]

This has been a major interest of mine for years. After the idjut that blew the stop sign left me with a right ankle that does not move and is in a new position I could not understand why so many dudes eshewed linked brakes. Now that I have no effective ankle to use the rear the linked brakes are a godsend. Computer figures out how and where to send the correct apportionment. Great responses from everyone. THanks

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the linked brakes were. Front lever only controls bith front calipers: rear pedal only, controls rear caliper and right front caliper. There is no rear caliper application from the front lever at all. If there is, I can barely feel it.

My experiences have me covering the front during traffic encounters, blind curves, and when my spidey senses are tingling. I.try not to use rear brake much because of experiences locking the rear during panic stops. But with abs I should get use to it, as it'll help cycle the the abs module and push fresher brake fluid thru it..

 

[connie_rider]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, BUT I'm certain that;
Front lever only controls both front calipers and the rear caliper.
There is rear caliper application from the front lever, and you can barely feel it because it's proportioned correctly.
Rear pedal only, controls rear caliper and right front caliper.

Ride safe, Ted

 

[kzz1king]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, BUT I'm certain that;
Front lever only controls both front calipers and the rear caliper.
There is rear caliper application from the front lever, and you can barely feel it because it's proportioned correctly.
Rear pedal only, controls rear caliper and right front caliper.

Ride safe, Ted

And you have only two choices of the proportioning. I use the lesser.

 

[tvogel4119]

I’m a dirt biker most of my 58 years of riding and in the dirt I got used to covering my front brake . Now that I’ve started to ride on the rode I’m learning how to change what I know . So I’m listening reading and taking classes to improve my skills on the road . So I cover the front brake most of the time habit that works for me , for now .

 

[Jorge]

Covering the font brake, as the two Tom's mention, makes sense at speed. That eliminated 0.7 second (or whatever it is) is feet in stopping distance. At highway speed, it's the difference between stopping several feet before the cage, or several feet after it.
Tom F. convinced me to use the Crampbuster and cover the brake, and I do it a lot of the time, always if there are side streets or parking entrances.
At slooowww speeds, I wrap my hand around the grip to only use rear. The linked brake models disable linking below ~10 MPH, pressing the pedal applies only the rear brake. If slowing from higher speed, release at 10 MPH and re-apply to use this great feature.

 

[S Smith]

Covering the font brake, as the two Tom's mention, makes sense at speed. That eliminated 0.7 second (or whatever it is) is feet in stopping distance. At highway speed, it's the difference between stopping several feet before the cage, or several feet after it.

IMHO, creating sufficient following distance can provide the time needed to move the fingers from the grip to the front brake and still stop before the cage.

 

[kzz1king]

IMHO, creating sufficient following distance can provide the time needed to move the fingers from the grip to the front brake and still stop before the cage.

Following distance is important for sure but
That does not allow for someone running a light or pulling in front of you. It does not help if you find debris or an obstacle in a corner.
.

 

[S Smith]

Following distance is important for sure but
That does not allow for someone running a light or pulling in front of you. It does not help if you find debris or an obstacle in a corner.
.

Yes, the greatest potential for conflict with other traffic is at intersections. There are times it is prudent to cover the brake... but not all the time. MSF makes a terrific point.... "Safe riding is a skill of the eyes and mind as much as it is a skill of the hands and feet. It’s important that riders have well-developed perceptive skills." This is why I feel developing 360 degree awareness is important. I've read that covering the brake can lead to an accidental instinctive grab when presented with a hazard that might cause a wheel lock up. The moment to make a decision to use the brake may be all it takes for a better outcome.

 

[santacruzrider]

True dat, but how exactly do you increase the following distance for the deer that runs flat out from a tree line and across a mountain road into your path? I’m covering the brakes. I’ve heard rumor that covering brakes can result in immediately grabbing too much, but I’ve never experienced it. I always done a progressive squeeze and having my fingers on the lever sets me up to start that early and with no “grab”. Even in panic mode where a car got thrown into my lane, the front tire was braking so hard that the tire was howling and my rear wheel was off the pavement, but there was no front lockup (bike doesn’t have ABS). Probably just lucky. But covering the brakes will remain my talisman.

 

[dgold]

I often ride with one or two fingers covering the brake especially in traffic, splitting lanes or having other COGers screwing around near me. I figure one or two fingers will not accidently lock the brakes and I can still accellerate out of some tight situations