Been practicing the skills shown in your videos in a local parking lot and it really amazes me how much learning "slow control" increases confidence/ability all around 👏🏾..(Braking as well). Keep up the great work - subscribed w/alerts 💯
I learned that real fast on my first hill. Still new, been riding for about a month now and put 400 miles in town. I find that I'm always practicing and researching techniques.
This video should start- USE YOUR FRONT BRAKE CLOSE TO ALL THE TIME... if doing exercises or advanced, play/use rear... Front break is the only one that matters, plus engine break... from an advanced road/track rider... there are caveats about bike type but the straight answer, best advice, is simply front break and downshift... only rear/only front is not remotely best practice. This is confused advice.
Check out Keith Code Twist of Wrist II. That is best practice... I'm struggling to call this video anything other than confusing b.s. A soup of confusing mess. FRONT BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT.
I have to take a moment to thank you for all this stuff. It has taken my riding experience to another level in just a few weeks as I found your channel. The stuff that made me uncomfortable before is fun now as I have made it a routine to go to the parking lot before or after every ride for at least 30 minutes doing slow speed stuff, emergency breaking or quick U-turns - basically everything needed for daily riding. I managed to get really low going in left and right circles for the first time yesterday by pushing the bike down and counterweighting with my own body and everything just seem to gel together with the clutch and rear break balancing when you practice and practice. Definitely worth it putting the time in every ride and it makes you grow and become one with the bike sort of. I managed to get a hold of a course in June (with SMC - swedish motorcycle club) which is a track day with experienced instructors where I hopefully will evolve my cornering techniques and can advance to higher level classes in the future. I need to get to work on smoother shifts and blipping when downshifting now to make it even a better experience, thanks again for all this amazing work which is available for free to us to make us better riders. Really hope you take off massively soon on RUclips because you deserve it. Have a great week!
I used to rely on the engine braking a lot, but when I started to speed up (and was fine doing that up hills through twisties) I would find that down hills I had no control and so I spent months basically using my front brake only and practising trail braking after reading some books and watching some instructors on RUclips etc... I don’t think I ever use the rear brake only anymore unless I’m manoeuvring around at under 20kmph. Otherwise I’ll usually use front only or both. Obviously engine braking is kind of like using a rear brake anyway, as it’s slowing down the rear wheel... 🤷♂️ I guess if I were going quite slow around a corner I may use the rear brake only... but I’ve kind of relegated the rear brake to carpark, slow manoeuvres and the end of slowing down to a stop like you said... hmmm more to think about... I don’t have a powerful 1000cc machine just my little MT07 and haven’t done track riding.
Yup, uphill may not need the brakes too much because gravity is slowing you down but downhill, front brake confidence is so important..of course depends on your pace too.
THANK YOU!!! I’m surrounded by ‘no brake’ and ‘front brake only’ riders. I’ve been riding for 4 months. I got my license 2 weeks ago. Anyway I overheated the rear brakes going up a twisty mountain last weekend I was told that I’m riding wrong … that I should be front brake or no brake. I tried it. It felt uncomfortable. It’s such a relief to realise that is just their preference, not ‘the way’ to ride, and I can use rear brake as well. I need to be careful about boiling the brake fluid though. Anyway as with all your videos, this helped me a lot. Thank you.
I’ve found using the rear brake just before the front brake while in the twisties greatly helps stabilize the suspension while breaking just before getting into a turn. My front end is not adjustable and soft for my weight so this was becoming an issue. But instead of dropping cash for new suspension I wanted to see if I could make it work the best I could as is. Took some practice but it works great for me! I’m getting more and more into using the rear the more I practice using it. I used to only use the front while in the twisties(sometimes still do). Seeing the MotoGP guys put hand lever brakes on for the rear really made me reconsider how I was riding and how I could benefit from using the rear brake more. It’s been a fun experiment! As usual, great video.... if you smell what the Rock is cookin!
Hi. After watching this video this morning I was out for a long ride today. Coming around a sweeping blind corner at a speed of 90kmh I spotted cows on the road. First quick thought was swerve around them, then next thought was cows move so go for braking all this in a split second. So I was onto the front brake squeezing it ( 80% ) and rear brake ( 20 % ) clutch in and I pulled up real fast and stopped dead straight just a few metres from the cows . What I learned from you about vision first and what i learned from you about braking particularly squeezing the brakes saved me today from hitting cows on the road. A large animal on the road is a riders nightmare because they move and move fast and you have no idea where they are going. I just want to say thank you for instruction and training. You are saving lives and riders from having serious accidents. Well done. Cheers Max
I always use the rear brake a little bit. In slow turns more, of course. Had a little 50ccm 2stroke when I was young, there was only one brake light switch on the rear brake, no brake light switch at the front brake. So you always had to brake with both brakes. Drove this thing for years and now using both brakes is hardwired in my brain. No problem with my ABS Yamaha MT-07, but I have to be carefull while riding my 250 ccm 2stroke with rear drum brake :D
Perfect audio man. Seriously amazing. Most other tubers whisper than slam loud sound effect. Even the equalization on your voice is perfect. No loud hissing sounds from your ssss. No lip smacking sounds either. 👍👍👍
Congrats on an amazing video. After three years of riding and having studied all the really good riding books (the same ones you own, I'm sure) I can say the issues you raise here (which I think most accurately may be titled "front brake/rear brake strategy") are the ones that have been top of mind for me and that I haven't seen addressed in a unified way anywhere else. As a street rider, I know at this point how to "get around". But I've always suffered from the uncertainty of feeling that I've been "making it up" when it comes to front/rear brake usage. Maybe there isn't a single right way for every situation. But, once again, your presentation is the first one I've seen that really delves into it. Thanks.
Great lesson, thank you! I'm only beginner but I do mostly track as I get most fun off if it. One technique I found useful that allowed me to often be the last person to break before a corner on track is to start breaking with the rear on the straight before the corner without closing throttle - this makes rear suspension to compress. Then when I apply the front break, I can put much more breaking power as the rear is already compressed - which means that the bike can often dive deeper on front before the tire gets overloaded. Just something that works for me. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
As a teacher, (actually a P.E. teacher and Coach), evaluating your "lesson" on Rear Braking, I give you high scores Fast Eddie 👊🏽. You present the content with visuals, examples and illustrations. You model, either on your big boy bike or with cute little props, ie: toy motorbike 😉. Your lesson structure is coherent with good pacing and you always display extensive content knowledge. Your'e a natural TEACHER!! Thank you for sharing and teaching. Now, I need to be a good student by shutting up and practicing. 🏍
Well, saved and saved $$ and been watching videos (mostly you and Yammie), took my MSF, saved more and more $$, and bought my first bike, a brand new Ninja 400, I chose new so if there is a problem, I caused it and I know :P If I drop it or crash, I drop it or crash, I paid for it :P Took it out for my first real ride today and spent two hours in an empty gym parking lot learning the new bike and practicing my basic moves. Plan on taking that next MSF course where its the same but with my bike and work my way up from there. Thank you for the great videos and content and inspiring this new rider :D
My favorite time to use the rear break is for hill holding. I am still practicing my throttle/clutch control for slow speed maneuvers (on blue belt drills right now), so I don't want to use the breaks yet for those. I also realized recently while practicing emergency stopping that I was using the rear brake too much, so now I am practicing using front break only to build confidence. Thanks for the videos, they have been really helpful and inspired me to become the best rider I can.
Your bright notes are fantastic - neat and clear tuition and..... well the wrestler's head size we just won't discuss hehe. I can't draw for nuts BUT with your tuition my bike skills are improving. Many thanks from Canada!
Hey Fast Eddie, thanks for keeping the videos coming despite grueling times. I live in upstate NY so our riding season is just starting. After a winter off, I felt like I forgot everything I learned from last season. (I just got my first bike last year, still a completely beginner.) Glad to have came across your channel back then, thanks for sharing these great videos!!
I mostly only use the front brake and use the back break just a little bit while using the front brake like 90% front 10% back. I can see why using the back break on twisting roads to slow down a little is smart so your front suspension doesn’t go down very much and you loose your line or balance in the turn. I like how you said you do the transition to back break at the end of the stop I’m assuming so you don’t bounce back up when you come to a complete stop. I’ve been riding for a long time but I am no professional or even amateur level rider never been to a track but I am really fortunate to be humble enough to want to learn and not think I know everything that’s a lot of peoples first mistake. I’m going to start practicing the back break a little more especially since it’s been wet and raining I’ve been using more back break but the other day my back tire slid pretty bad once. I need to get better at feeling the back break.
Hello, I am at my first bike, a ktm duke 690 R from 2013, my bike has very big powerful engine brake, and I barerly use the brakes/if i would like to train for trail braking, or in general use the brakes more, i have to go at very high speed ( much above speed limit). I am from Romania and we have no racing tracks around here( there is one but is very far). i have learned a lot from your videos. You do a great job. thank you
Another good vid, thanks. Most rides I just let the linked brakes on my s1000r do their thing. But after a few track days where we practice using more rear brake, I will do technique runs where I play/practice with more rear, more trail, less engine braking - all about learning about how the bike works. Thanks again - clear explanation as always
Love your videos. I just bought my first Honda rebel 500 and have my MSF course in two weekends, so trying to learn everything I possibly can before the course to get prepared! Your channel has the answers to every question I have and more! With easy explanations that are so easy to understand. Thanks for everything!
As a kid I was terrified of the front brake... as an "adult" I was taught never use the rear.. both wrong!.. my driveway now is a dirt road, canal and culvert, from a 2-lane highway... gotta love both brakes!!!🤙👍
You are a great teacher for riding skills an common cense. I enjoy an learn a lot with your videos. Thank you very much. Just the best for you from Quito, Ecuador.
Answered a lot of my queries about rear brake found it to be so helpful on rounabouts u turns and figure of 8 practice to keep revs up but keep everything smoother at slower speeds been looking for this info for a while because no instructor about so no lesons big thank you from wales uk
Rear brake, the most underrated and neglected thing in a motorcycle, or at least the experts say so! But cutting all those crap, and videos like these instill confidence by letting us know what and when to use! Gem!
Hey man THANKS. There are SO many other "instructors" RUclips but most are either incompetent or they are competent but riding on cruisers which handles way too different from a sport or adventure to use anything more than the basics of what they say.
@@MotoJitsu I'm east coast (Georgia/Fort Benning). How do I get your course? I have been riding 3-4yrs and started cruiser then sport, now sport touring but I admit I don't practice enough. NEED that course info to work on my skillz...
@@MotoJitsu you should think about course instructing bruh. Probably be a good side gig or an entrepreneurial opportunity if you wanted to run with it. Either way, best of luck bro. Thanks again
Do you smell what the rock is cooking....... Lol Love WWE too . Also love how you are so humble as you look up to the pros but many many people are thankful that we have a teacher/mentor in you my friend. From Australia.
Gday just bought another bike have not ridden for a while and came across your videos which are very educational and learning a lot thankyou! Im from south Australia to!
I went up Azusa canyon today and practiced using mostly rear brake. Found that I could stay on the throttle easier at the same time. Found negotiating the tight Turns on the way up easier as apposed to using the front brake. Coming down I used the front and back initially then just rear and found things much smoother. Thanks for the lesson.
In city traffic, I find using the same braking combo and technique you described around 4:00 the best for balance and control of the bike. Thanks as always for the video content.
In my opinnion its best to use both allways, except for what youve explained when comming to a stop i agree 100% on that. It stretches the bike a bit and makes it a tad bit more stable to come to a controlled stop. Might make a good demonstration video.
@@MotoJitsu now that ive thought abit about it youre may right. For example if im on unsafe ground (loose, gravel sand etc) i tend to use only rear since a slight rear skid is easier to controll then a front skid. I actually never thought activly about it, it was allways just natural to me.
Thanks for this topic! It is my understanding (and please correct me if I’m wrong), that when you trail brake with the front brake, you get more ground clearance than when you use the rear brake because the rear brake slows the rear tire which widens the wheel base by opening up the angle of the swing arm joint, thus lowering the bike. The front brake on the other hand, will maintain more ground clearance since it shortens the wheel base by closing the angle on the swing arm. When you transition to throttle in the turn, this also increases ground clearance by shortening the wheel base and closing the swing arm angle, raising the bike. If this is correct, then why use solely the rear brake in a turn, even with easy riding? Thanks.
@@MotoJitsu Yes--I get that braking lowers ground clearance. But during trail braking, which lowers the bike more, rear or front brake? Also, doesn't front brake trail braking improve front end geometry for turning better than rear brake trail braking? (Decreases rake and trail)
Loved this video, finally really understood how you go into twisties with breaks ( was still wrapping my head around it to be 100% sure what its like, even though watched all the rest of videos regards that). Well of course, real 100% clarity will be with my own practice and skills when I reach that point. I love how you explained things. And DAYUM, Scott Redding video gave me chills, thanks for sharing and teaching as always, grateful. Oh and rear break with a thumb, damn, so much goes into professional racing, mind-blowing.
How about this POV ? It gives a guideline to use when riding. If you need light braking: engine, front or back. All are ok and you practice to check when it's more comfortable for you to use one or another, understanding engine breaking will not get you to a stop. if you need medium braking: front, engine + front, engine + rear, front + rear and engine + front + rear. The first 2 are the main options, the 3rd is to practice for the what if situation where you can't use front breaks, and the last 2 are aimed to optimize the breaking pads life and make your ride a bit smoother as instead of using front you use front & rear with lighter pressure or instead of engine + front, you use engine + front & rear with also lighter pressure. Also you practice to check when it's more comfortable for you to use one or another. If you need hard breaking: front + rear or engine + front + rear. And this is the scenario where you need more practice as it's the less forgiving. if it's wet or raining, nothing abrupt is allowed, all progressive and steady always, everything else is possible with that restriction, which explains why the simple "slow down when wet or raining" advice, works wonders. I've seen your tips and training making me practice all the breaking combinations, I apply them to my pov and I've improved a lot. Thank you. Maybe this can help those who experience certain doubts of how to break, on a certain specific situation.
All depends on many variables...there's no main therefore less important braking...all depends on what you're doing, pace, traction, bike, condition, etc.. And who cares about brake pads? They're cheap.
@@MotoJitsu Come on ! ... :/ You only have 3 sources for breaking/slowing down, front, back and engine, ordered by power, therefore, your main source of breaking is your front break, so, it becomes your main break and the others become secondary, but you still have 3 sources of breaking, so, practice to use them all to their utmost reach. Now on "all depends..." tell me of a situation where you know you have to break, where you need something else than light, medium or hard breaking ? Practice and experience gives you when you need each option, so it becomes easy, I'm riding closing into a blind curve at 60 mph with all the traffic, everyone already on the curve are breaking somewhat harder than normal, I know something unexpected has happened and I still can't see it, I know I need light to medium breaking to adjust and get ready for whatever comes afterwards, which ranges from just keep going at a slower pace to emergency breaking on an escape patch between cars, so, without even thinking, I start applying front break, gear down and throttle match to adjust; that you are very good and practice to do so with rear break not only for the situation where you have no front breaks but also for fun, cool, but I bet that on the streets where something unexpected happens, you right fingers reach your breaks as reflex, why ? because you know the front breaks are your main source of breaking. As I said, you practice to check when any of the methods of achieving any level of breaking, works best, not forgetting you practice for a what if situation, and having alternatives, again, you want also for fun, cool. On the pads, also, come on ! not everyone has your resources and conveniently you left the "your ride will be a bit smoother" part out... Man, what's wrong ? why are you kind of angry at me ? what did I do to wrong you in any way ? I only want to learn more and become a better rider every day, I do all I can of what you teach, even to the extent of having to find a street to do so, and practicing with an eye for the few times a car comes by, as they won't let me practice on parking lots, but for like 3 months now, I ask you for some advice on a specific situation, and your answer is: take courses, read books, shut up and practice; that is no help at all, I still need the answer to my question, and as sad as it seems, you are my only reliable/professional source of info about motorcycles, if you don't want to be so, tell me, and I will not post anything, ever again.
Nice video. You did mention that especially the trailbraking is advanced stuff that requires a lot of dexterity. I think trailbraking is a technique that is useful when you are carrying a lot of speed into a corner. Adding extra rear break because of an obstacle or tightening corner (when trailbraking using the rear brake) is very dangerous in a corner. So is adding extra front brake, for that matter, but only when smoothly applied, it can save your ass. So it is a skill that should only be considered by experienced riders. If you are riding at a ‘street decent’ pace in the twisties, you should be able to do all your necessary adjustments by extra steering and/or throttle decrease/increase. Should you have to add more break in a corner, you are coming in too hot anyway.
Not just useful for higher speeds. It's not dangerous in a corner to use the rear or front brake if you know what you're doing. You may have to add more brakes in the corner because there's gravel or an oncoming car or a deer...many reasons besides "coming in too hot."
Thanks for the feedback, Fast Eddie. I agree, if you know what you’re doing adding extra brake shouldn’t be a problem. But many an inexperienced rider can be caught off guard when something unexpected shows up in the corner. And just the tiniest bit of too much brake (especially when not smoothly applied) when at lean, will easily cause a lowside. I quest one should always expect the unexpected in every corner and adjust the pace in advance. I ride a lot of narrow twisties, along the small rivers we have in my area (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and i have encountered gravel, turning cars, trucks that are as wide as the road, just around a blind corner. So I am always committed to be able to stop or swerve in the part of the road that I can oversee. Trailbraking , for me, is a lifesaver. But if you panic or if you are not prepared, If you haven’t practised this in a safe place, to an extend that it has become part of your ‘survival reaction’ I would not recommend using trailbraking on public roads. Riding slow enough is the best technique to use in that case.
The rider is always the issue, not the brakes. More riders need to take more courses and practice more often so if they do get into a situation, they know what to do.
I mostly use the rear brake for trailbraking when I ride the twisties... but sometimes I use the front brake. I never use them both at the same time while trailbraking, maybe I need to practice that one too. But I think the rear brake is perfect when you feel you go to fast in a corner and you need to brake a bit to make your turn smaller.
I usually brake with my rear brakes and use the front brake as an assist. I think its easier to save from a rear loosing traction than the front loosing traction. When I'm approaching a stop light with speed, I usually use my rear brakes and downshift until when I'm almost reaching the line, I will apply my front brakes slowly until the motorcycle stops. I always rely on my rear brakes and engine braking and the front for assist
@@MotoJitsu Thank you for your response. I have one more question for you sir. Should I always use my rear brakes and front brakes for assist or should I rely on my front brakes more? I have watched alot of videos on RUclips and it seems that all of em is telling to rely 70% front 30%rear. For me is the other way around. Even when I'm riding in high speed I always apply rear brakes down shift and then, use my front brakes to assist. Thank you ! I'm a big fan, and I watched all your videos without skipping.
What brake you use and how much of it and when and why mostly depends on the pace you're going. Watch this video it should help out :) ruclips.net/video/zrSAgtVZ-Xk/видео.html
Awesome explanation! Thank you I’m new to riding and I was curious to know what the proper technique is to brake at a light when it turns from green to yellow to red.
You're welcome!! There is no right or wrong when coming to a light...use any combination you want of front or rear to stop. Reminder to follow me on here too instagram.com/motojitsuclub/
i dont know, is it my 5 years expirience of riding scooters, but i think that i use my rear brake a lot... especially when stopping on a red light and on the twisties.. i do trail braking all the time... on my caffe racer i changed my rear brake pads first, front r still good...not the same story with my triumph,... maybe cause it has weaker rear brake but i still use it in trail braking and to correct my line when cornering... i agree with u completly man... on almost every video.. too bad some people where i live dont understand english very good and i always have to translate ur video or explain it as i know it...😁
Using the rear brake often comes natural to me. I learned it on a shitty moped with a badly worn front wheel with shitty front brakes! Luckily my Africa Twin has a nice front brake, but still I find myself using the rear brake very often.
Another great video. I like using my front brake almost always. The rear brake is a real bitch to service compared to the front, so it is relegated to hold me from rolling on hills until I get moving.
@@MotoJitsu yeahbuddy! I've been practicing quite a bit with it lately. You inspire me to practice riding more than I ever have, and I can feel the difference in my skill level and overall confidence. Cheers brother!
Great summary. Love your slides. Show how much you put into each video. Keep on the great work in educating riders. Small advice if I may: keep it shorter but still love your content.
DCT....or Dual Clutch Trans. Can I use the rear brake for slow speed control? I noticed you want me to learn without brakes first. I have been using the rear like a clutch at slow speeds. Heavy then light with pulses to keep power where I want it. I guess my question is, can I use the rear brake for every time you use clutch control? Is there another technique for DCT? I looked for another comment for this but couldn't find anything. How fast am I going to go through rear brakes???? I am probably missing your DCT answers sorry. AWESOME VIDS!!!! Please dont stop. You are saving lives. Africa Twin DCT BTW. Thank You.
Good tip on coming up to blind corners I wish I saw this before I made my bike react and do a low side threw a blind turn.I wasn’t ready for a car to come out
I've don a lot of high-performance driving in cars and am coming back to motorcycling. Yes, I'm starting again with the basic basics. In cars, two bit of good guidance are, "Slow in, fast out" and "Brake, turn, gear, go". These make sense on a bike too, correct?
As general sayings...that's all they are. None of it matters at some paces, others different paces. Cam Petersen when talking about track riding is fast in fast out...on the street maybe slow in make it out alive would be better. All depends. Sometimes I don't brake at all before a turn..just roll off the gas....so I would say no...sayings like that aren't actually true due to too many variables.
For track riding, fast in fast out....or more specific, how fast can you get to, and away from the slowest point of the corner. Street riding is totally different since the pace is dramatically less.
Thanks for your reasoned and cautious approach to each situation. Your step by step methodology is very helpful. My experience comes from many years of off-road, where the rear was the default brake. When I learned to ride pavement, rear brake-trail braking was intuitive for me before I even knew what "trail braking" was. I've watched and read almost everything on the subject, and this video made me wonder ...; "... What is the best training method a rider can use to master the front brake for trail braking, and is it possible that with practice the front brake may eventually replace the rear for trail braking, or as Jake Gagne demonstrated, a skilled rider could continue to use the rear with confidence, and simply develop similar confidence with the front brake by knowing when to use either, or both brakes, and just how much to maximize traction and control at any speed or in any situation?
Another great vid. I think i brake like you. I seem to get through 2 rears for every 1 front tyre. Same for you or am I overcooking the rear/ too much rear braking ??????
thanks. That's normal for people to wear out two rear tires for one front. If you haven't already, check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc.
@@MotoJitsu Thanks mate. I get 3+k km from a '7k rear' (and 7k from the front rubber) ,a couple people have said i trail brake too much w the rear. I've only just caught on to yr vids and got into analysing my style (at 57 yrs old...) Glad to hear I'm more or less on point. I'll be watching more and subscribing once i'm back home. Long life ! The world needs people like you. And as many twists as they can handle. If yr ever in Spain come visit (twisty heaven) - el.sexto.pino on insta,
I find that I use mostly engine braking in the twisties. I have a heavy cruiser with floorboards so not much lean. I take the curves at pretty low speed. I dragged the floorboards a few times today.
I have a 2019 BMW S 1000 XR. I have never had a bike with ABS before. I use mostly the front brake, but the rear is also braking. My first trip to the parking lot, with ABS I could easily stop from 25 m.p.h. in fifteen feet. For road riding, trail braking should I shut off the ABS?
Technology has nothing to do with the technique of trail braking...no need to do anything to your bike, just learn how to ride it :) Take courses and practice :)
Don't turn off ABS for ordinary riding. In Europe, where ABS is mandatory on new bikes, we're taught that in emergency braking it's okay to brake so hard with both front and rear brakes that the ABS kicks in. Both to get efficient stopping distance and to get a feel for how you bike reacts to the ABS system.
@@copenh21 in the UK I would have failed the module 1 test if the ABS kicked in too quickly on the emergency brake. If (as is likely) you are going to be riding (as a first 'big' bike) an older bike without ABS after your test then you would be screwed in a real life emergency stop if you came to rely on the ABS in practice .
Thanks for that great video! Can you give a tip on the rear brakes foot position? It's always a confusing moment for me while riding different bikes - from naked to cruisers. - Do I have to position my leg on a foot peg, so that I can immediately press the brake with my toe? Or should I position it a little backwards so that in case I need rear brakes I can move / reposition my leg forward? Or should I turn my foot to the right, so that in case I need rear brakes I can just turn my foot up and left and press the brakes? It's very confusing what is correct ))) I have to say that rear brakes is the most uncomfortable part of the motorcycle handling for me ))
For beginners, always pay more attention to the front brake. Practice more on front brake, because that's the main thing that stops your two-wheels under any situation. I am not saying rear brake is uselses, but that's where most beginners are confused about, they are afraid of using front brake and thinking of front brake as dangers. When you are confident on your front brake, then learn the techinques of rear brake. That's my advise for beginners.
I believe i was told in my MSF course (BRC) to apply at least a little bit of rear brake, then transition to (majority) front brake, as to keep the rear of bike from getting TOO light/excited under heavy braking. Is this a big no-no for "harder riding" or am i alright to keep doing this during spirited trips through country roads? I'm planning on taking IRC/ARC whenever i get the funds in order so I'm sure the majority of my questions will be answered in due time.
Bikes have much more grip than people generally think they do (myself included, until I started riding). Like you say though, it's all down to technique, and on a bike you can easily exceed the limits through poor technique.
What a great video's you make, thank you very much!!! After 15 years not riding I have bought myself a bmw k1200gt (2004) which has linked brakes. Could you tell me (us) something about using these brakes practising trail braking. Hope to hear from you.
Hi Motojitsu, greetings from Argentina! it would be awesome if you can do a review of the actual most famous bike and most popular Yamaha bike in my country and in most developing countries, the Yamaha FZ Fi. I'm pretty sure that video would be interesting for your north American audience so they can see what Yamaha has to offer outside, and also to show the superb engineering of this famous model. And it would be pretty neat to see you ride it and showing your impressions. You will make happy a lot of people around the world.
I really like how these videos are short and to the point. Hey MotoJitsu, I'm in the habit of always stopping with both brakes all the way to a complete stop. I even trail brake with both brakes. But very lite on the rear brakes. Is that a good habit or should I practice more of what you say in this video.
@@MotoJitsu Thank you very much, I've never crashed and trying to keep it that way.That's why I listen to guys like you and practice practice practice. I really appreciate you. You have saved many lives with these lessons.
@@Lokey_8664 You're welcome...if you're able to..one huge, very important step is to take formal training....THEN practice what you learn...I'm just sharing what I've learned after taking courses and practicing, but you have to do both yourself motojitsu.com/courses
@@Lokey_8664 take as many as you can, as often as you can then spend a tremendous amount of time experimenting and practicing what you learn if you want to become a really good rider. My MotoJitsu drills and books and videos are what to do when you're not in a course :)
Hi Eddie. Question - my bike has linked brakes. So when I use the rear, one piston of at the front is engaged. When I use the front, same happens at the rear. I guess this has an effect on braking technique. For example, your video confirmed that I've been doing rear trail braking since I began riding again (well, after 22 years) last year - I find it natural - perhaps it's something taken over from bicycle, where I'd ALWAYS use both brakes in the corners (road conditions permitting). Also... It seems that style of the bike (center of gravity, front rake, and rider's position) would affect the way one brakes. Thanks!
Technique over technology...once you learn trail braking for instance...it's the same fundamental idea no matter what bike. I would get into high level courses when you can motojitsu.com/courses
I've always trained myself since 2006 to only use the rear brake for the majority of my slowing down and stopping. I use the rear brake like I'm trying to roll a raw egg, Very gentle and slowly. Until I get to the last several feet of stopping, I will use the front brake. I never grab the front brake, even when I might want to panic over something, it will always be the clutch and/or moderate rear brake; depends on the situation. Yes, I've always been too terrified about flipping over the front of my Harley, I never want that! So far, with the 4.5 years of Harley riding, and 6 months getting back into it, never had a problem. I think the weight and handling of your bike has alot to do with different braking characteristics. Not every bike is the same, but the basics are. 🙂
You will most likely never flip over the front on a Harley...you'll lowside before that happens. I would suggest you going to practice emergency braking...set up two cones or sticks or whatever and see if you can stop within 18ft at 20mph....then practice until you can consistently.
@@MotoJitsu, ok! Thanks for the tips! 😀 Any chance you sell T-Shirts for your channel? Maybe I can wear one during my videos, and promote your channel. 🙂
@@MotoJitsu, I found your merch page! There's a T-Shirt I am interested in already. Like I mentioned, I plan to wear it and display it during my videos. I hope that will be ok, and I hope you might watch it too. 🙂🙂
Thanks Eddie, when I am on the street and I am coming up to a light I roll off the throttle, let the engine break a little then I use the rear break first, then just after the weight transfer to the front wheel I start using the front break and then depending on my speed and distance to the stop I transition to mostly front break.. Your thoughts on my breaking...
Love your content 😀 i also find rear brakes very helpful while coming to stops, or keeping the balance while pushing bumper to bumper traffic at very low speeds, like under 20mph
Thanks for the solid video on breaking. My question is when you are emergency braking from 65mph do you down shift through all the gears are just focus on your front and back brake stopping
I’m super new but I’ve been taking lessons to get ready for my BRC these videos are great! What is technique you were saying Lee Parks talks about with all four inputs working?
each limb is doing different things If you didn't know, I have a MotoJitsu app! Check out my website MotoJitsu.com for the links as well as my books, merch, affiliate links to Revzilla, courses I recommend, etc.
I don't understand why racers use throttle to apply power to the rear wheel to accelerate out of a corner but simultaneously use rear brake to reduce the power to the rear wheel to avoid lifting the front. Why not use less throttle and no rear brake? Accelerating and decelerating the rear wheel at the same time makes no sense to me, unless maybe they want the engine producing power that they're using to heat the rear brake so there is no delay to spool up the engine and the power is instantly availably by releasing the rear brake?
I FORGOT TO MENTION! I always use the rear brake for starting and stopping on hills too :)
Me too! 🙂
been told to treat rear brake as my handbrake
Been practicing the skills shown in your videos in a local parking lot and it really amazes me how much learning "slow control" increases confidence/ability all around 👏🏾..(Braking as well). Keep up the great work - subscribed w/alerts 💯
I saw the whole video and found what I was searching for in comment
I learned that real fast on my first hill. Still new, been riding for about a month now and put 400 miles in town. I find that I'm always practicing and researching techniques.
You are the best teacher for riding I've seen anywhere in my life, also so humble stay blessed brother appreciate your work and effort
Thank you so much 😀
100 Agreed!
This video should start- USE YOUR FRONT BRAKE CLOSE TO ALL THE TIME... if doing exercises or advanced, play/use rear... Front break is the only one that matters, plus engine break... from an advanced road/track rider... there are caveats about bike type but the straight answer, best advice, is simply front break and downshift... only rear/only front is not remotely best practice. This is confused advice.
Check out Keith Code Twist of Wrist II. That is best practice... I'm struggling to call this video anything other than confusing b.s. A soup of confusing mess. FRONT BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT.
👉 Dude Mungus 🥺👍
I have to take a moment to thank you for all this stuff. It has taken my riding experience to another level in just a few weeks as I found your channel. The stuff that made me uncomfortable before is fun now as I have made it a routine to go to the parking lot before or after every ride for at least 30 minutes doing slow speed stuff, emergency breaking or quick U-turns - basically everything needed for daily riding. I managed to get really low going in left and right circles for the first time yesterday by pushing the bike down and counterweighting with my own body and everything just seem to gel together with the clutch and rear break balancing when you practice and practice. Definitely worth it putting the time in every ride and it makes you grow and become one with the bike sort of. I managed to get a hold of a course in June (with SMC - swedish motorcycle club) which is a track day with experienced instructors where I hopefully will evolve my cornering techniques and can advance to higher level classes in the future. I need to get to work on smoother shifts and blipping when downshifting now to make it even a better experience, thanks again for all this amazing work which is available for free to us to make us better riders. Really hope you take off massively soon on RUclips because you deserve it. Have a great week!
Thanks!!
Andreas_XSR good to hear!
Where in Sweden?
Fast Eddie, the slides (hand drawn illustrations) are extremely helpful - Thanks again.
Thanks :) Glad you like it
Thanks for watching!! Get out there and practice!! Follow me on Instagram @motojitsuclub if you're not already :)
About to get my first bike in my 40's as its an old promise to my self and your vids are my bible lol.. cheers from Perth Australia
I used to rely on the engine braking a lot, but when I started to speed up (and was fine doing that up hills through twisties) I would find that down hills I had no control and so I spent months basically using my front brake only and practising trail braking after reading some books and watching some instructors on RUclips etc... I don’t think I ever use the rear brake only anymore unless I’m manoeuvring around at under 20kmph. Otherwise I’ll usually use front only or both. Obviously engine braking is kind of like using a rear brake anyway, as it’s slowing down the rear wheel... 🤷♂️
I guess if I were going quite slow around a corner I may use the rear brake only... but I’ve kind of relegated the rear brake to carpark, slow manoeuvres and the end of slowing down to a stop like you said... hmmm more to think about...
I don’t have a powerful 1000cc machine just my little MT07 and haven’t done track riding.
Yup, uphill may not need the brakes too much because gravity is slowing you down but downhill, front brake confidence is so important..of course depends on your pace too.
THANK YOU!!! I’m surrounded by ‘no brake’ and ‘front brake only’ riders. I’ve been riding for 4 months. I got my license 2 weeks ago. Anyway I overheated the rear brakes going up a twisty mountain last weekend I was told that I’m riding wrong … that I should be front brake or no brake. I tried it. It felt uncomfortable. It’s such a relief to realise that is just their preference, not ‘the way’ to ride, and I can use rear brake as well. I need to be careful about boiling the brake fluid though.
Anyway as with all your videos, this helped me a lot. Thank you.
I’ve found using the rear brake just before the front brake while in the twisties greatly helps stabilize the suspension while breaking just before getting into a turn. My front end is not adjustable and soft for my weight so this was becoming an issue. But instead of dropping cash for new suspension I wanted to see if I could make it work the best I could as is. Took some practice but it works great for me! I’m getting more and more into using the rear the more I practice using it. I used to only use the front while in the twisties(sometimes still do). Seeing the MotoGP guys put hand lever brakes on for the rear really made me reconsider how I was riding and how I could benefit from using the rear brake more. It’s been a fun experiment!
As usual, great video.... if you smell what the Rock is cookin!
Thanks...many ways to do one thing :) I know people who do that too
Love 😬👍🖤
Hi. After watching this video this morning I was out for a long ride today. Coming around a sweeping blind corner at a speed of 90kmh I spotted cows on the road. First quick thought was swerve around them, then next thought was cows move so go for braking all this in a split second. So I was onto the front brake squeezing it ( 80% ) and rear brake ( 20 % ) clutch in and I pulled up real fast and stopped dead straight just a few metres from the cows . What I learned from you about vision first and what i learned from you about braking particularly squeezing the brakes saved me today from hitting cows on the road. A large animal on the road is a riders nightmare because they move and move fast and you have no idea where they are going. I just want to say thank you for instruction and training. You are saving lives and riders from having serious accidents. Well done. Cheers Max
Awesome!!!
I always use the rear brake a little bit. In slow turns more, of course. Had a little 50ccm 2stroke when I was young, there was only one brake light switch on the rear brake, no brake light switch at the front brake. So you always had to brake with both brakes. Drove this thing for years and now using both brakes is hardwired in my brain. No problem with my ABS Yamaha MT-07, but I have to be carefull while riding my 250 ccm 2stroke with rear drum brake :D
Perfect audio man. Seriously amazing. Most other tubers whisper than slam loud sound effect. Even the equalization on your voice is perfect. No loud hissing sounds from your ssss. No lip smacking sounds either. 👍👍👍
Congrats on an amazing video. After three years of riding and having studied all the really good riding books (the same ones you own, I'm sure) I can say the issues you raise here (which I think most accurately may be titled "front brake/rear brake strategy") are the ones that have been top of mind for me and that I haven't seen addressed in a unified way anywhere else. As a street rider, I know at this point how to "get around". But I've always suffered from the uncertainty of feeling that I've been "making it up" when it comes to front/rear brake usage. Maybe there isn't a single right way for every situation. But, once again, your presentation is the first one I've seen that really delves into it. Thanks.
Thanks Glenn!
Your videos never gets old, for me I’m re learning to ride again after many years of not riding. Great stuff, thank you.
I'm amazed that you answer all the comments. Even recent comments from posts done a while back. Much praise and thanks.
You’re welcome :)
Great lesson, thank you! I'm only beginner but I do mostly track as I get most fun off if it. One technique I found useful that allowed me to often be the last person to break before a corner on track is to start breaking with the rear on the straight before the corner without closing throttle - this makes rear suspension to compress. Then when I apply the front break, I can put much more breaking power as the rear is already compressed - which means that the bike can often dive deeper on front before the tire gets overloaded. Just something that works for me. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
you're welcome
Good, helpful comment. Thanks.
As a teacher, (actually a P.E. teacher and Coach), evaluating your "lesson" on Rear Braking, I give you high scores Fast Eddie 👊🏽. You present the content with visuals, examples and illustrations. You model, either on your big boy bike or with cute little props, ie: toy motorbike 😉. Your lesson structure is coherent with good pacing and you always display extensive content knowledge. Your'e a natural TEACHER!! Thank you for sharing and teaching. Now, I need to be a good student by shutting up and practicing. 🏍
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Excellent, way better explaining than from my beginner rider course. Thanks for what you do!
This is well beyond the beginner’s course
Well, saved and saved $$ and been watching videos (mostly you and Yammie), took my MSF, saved more and more $$, and bought my first bike, a brand new Ninja 400, I chose new so if there is a problem, I caused it and I know :P If I drop it or crash, I drop it or crash, I paid for it :P Took it out for my first real ride today and spent two hours in an empty gym parking lot learning the new bike and practicing my basic moves. Plan on taking that next MSF course where its the same but with my bike and work my way up from there. Thank you for the great videos and content and inspiring this new rider :D
Thanks and hopefully you can get into higher level courses. Check these out motojitsu.com/courses
My favorite time to use the rear break is for hill holding. I am still practicing my throttle/clutch control for slow speed maneuvers (on blue belt drills right now), so I don't want to use the breaks yet for those. I also realized recently while practicing emergency stopping that I was using the rear brake too much, so now I am practicing using front break only to build confidence. Thanks for the videos, they have been really helpful and inspired me to become the best rider I can.
Yes! Rear brake for hills for sure :)
Your bright notes are fantastic - neat and clear tuition and..... well the wrestler's head size we just won't discuss hehe. I can't draw for nuts BUT with your tuition my bike skills are improving. Many thanks from Canada!
Thank you kindly!
Hey Fast Eddie, thanks for keeping the videos coming despite grueling times. I live in upstate NY so our riding season is just starting. After a winter off, I felt like I forgot everything I learned from last season. (I just got my first bike last year, still a completely beginner.) Glad to have came across your channel back then, thanks for sharing these great videos!!
you're welcome!
I mostly only use the front brake and use the back break just a little bit while using the front brake like 90% front 10% back. I can see why using the back break on twisting roads to slow down a little is smart so your front suspension doesn’t go down very much and you loose your line or balance in the turn. I like how you said you do the transition to back break at the end of the stop I’m assuming so you don’t bounce back up when you come to a complete stop. I’ve been riding for a long time but I am no professional or even amateur level rider never been to a track but I am really fortunate to be humble enough to want to learn and not think I know everything that’s a lot of peoples first mistake. I’m going to start practicing the back break a little more especially since it’s been wet and raining I’ve been using more back break but the other day my back tire slid pretty bad once. I need to get better at feeling the back break.
👍🏼👍🏼
I love the art. Visuals help imprint ideas, and they don't have to be complicated or distracting.
thanks
Hello, I am at my first bike, a ktm duke 690 R from 2013, my bike has very big powerful engine brake, and I barerly use the brakes/if i would like to train for trail braking, or in general use the brakes more, i have to go at very high speed ( much above speed limit). I am from Romania and we have no racing tracks around here( there is one but is very far).
i have learned a lot from your videos. You do a great job. thank you
No matter the bike, learn to use and master the brakes. Brake pads are cheaper than engines. You're welcome.
This is so much more detailed than what I learned in the BRC. They taught to use both brakes together, that was it.
Much more to learn above and beyond the beginner course
One of the major use of rear only break I found is steep down hill and twist . So there it’s better to use rear break to avoid loading front
Another good vid, thanks. Most rides I just let the linked brakes on my s1000r do their thing. But after a few track days where we practice using more rear brake, I will do technique runs where I play/practice with more rear, more trail, less engine braking - all about learning about how the bike works. Thanks again - clear explanation as always
Good stuff!
Love your videos. I just bought my first Honda rebel 500 and have my MSF course in two weekends, so trying to learn everything I possibly can before the course to get prepared! Your channel has the answers to every question I have and more! With easy explanations that are so easy to understand. Thanks for everything!
Good to hear :)
As a kid I was terrified of the front brake... as an "adult" I was taught never use the rear.. both wrong!.. my driveway now is a dirt road, canal and culvert, from a 2-lane highway... gotta love both brakes!!!🤙👍
lol yes!!
You are a great teacher for riding skills an common cense. I enjoy an learn a lot with your videos. Thank you very much.
Just the best for you from Quito, Ecuador.
thanks!
Answered a lot of my queries about rear brake found it to be so helpful on rounabouts u turns and figure of 8 practice to keep revs up but keep everything smoother at slower speeds been looking for this info for a while because no instructor about so no lesons big thank you from wales uk
Glad it helped!
Rear brake, the most underrated and neglected thing in a motorcycle, or at least the experts say so! But cutting all those crap, and videos like these instill confidence by letting us know what and when to use! Gem!
Thanks!
Hey man THANKS. There are SO many other "instructors" RUclips but most are either incompetent or they are competent but riding on cruisers which handles way too different from a sport or adventure to use anything more than the basics of what they say.
Yes there’s many White Belts teaching other White Belts....or White Belts trying to explain Black Belt techniques lol
@@MotoJitsu I'm east coast (Georgia/Fort Benning). How do I get your course? I have been riding 3-4yrs and started cruiser then sport, now sport touring but I admit I don't practice enough. NEED that course info to work on my skillz...
I don't have a course...MotoJitsu drills are meant to be set up and practiced...all you need is a parking lot, chalk, and 15 mins.
@@MotoJitsu you should think about course instructing bruh. Probably be a good side gig or an entrepreneurial opportunity if you wanted to run with it. Either way, best of luck bro. Thanks again
I've been teaching the beginner through advanced level courses for Total Control since 2015.
Do you smell what the rock is cooking....... Lol Love WWE too . Also love how you are so humble as you look up to the pros but many many people are thankful that we have a teacher/mentor in you my friend. From Australia.
Lol I loved the rock!! Lol thanks
As an Australian I agree.
Gday just bought another bike have not ridden for a while and came across your videos which are very educational and learning a lot thankyou! Im from south Australia to!
thanks!
I went up Azusa canyon today and practiced using mostly rear brake. Found that I could stay on the throttle easier at the same time. Found negotiating the tight Turns on the way up easier as apposed to using the front brake. Coming down I used the front and back initially then just rear and found things much smoother. Thanks for the lesson.
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You do a very good job of explaining the complexities and factors that come into play when deciding which and how much brake to use. Thanks Greg.
You’re welcome
MAN YOU TOUCH ON EVERYTHING! YOURE THE G.O.A.T
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In city traffic, I find using the same braking combo and technique you described around 4:00 the best for balance and control of the bike. Thanks as always for the video content.
:) You're welcome !
In my opinnion its best to use both allways, except for what youve explained when comming to a stop i agree 100% on that. It stretches the bike a bit and makes it a tad bit more stable to come to a controlled stop. Might make a good demonstration video.
Depends on what you're doing...both brakes aways may not make sense in certain situations.
@@MotoJitsu now that ive thought abit about it youre may right. For example if im on unsafe ground (loose, gravel sand etc) i tend to use only rear since a slight rear skid is easier to controll then a front skid. I actually never thought activly about it, it was allways just natural to me.
Thank you for all of your content! Even though I passed the MSF advanced course, there is still MUCH MORE to know!!
Thanks for this topic! It is my understanding (and please correct me if I’m wrong), that when you trail brake with the front brake, you get more ground clearance than when you use the rear brake because the rear brake slows the rear tire which widens the wheel base by opening up the angle of the swing arm joint, thus lowering the bike. The front brake on the other hand, will maintain more ground clearance since it shortens the wheel base by closing the angle on the swing arm. When you transition to throttle in the turn, this also increases ground clearance by shortening the wheel base and closing the swing arm angle, raising the bike. If this is correct, then why use solely the rear brake in a turn, even with easy riding? Thanks.
No, if you’re braking the bike lowers losing ground clearance.
@@MotoJitsu Yes--I get that braking lowers ground clearance. But during trail braking, which lowers the bike more, rear or front brake? Also, doesn't front brake trail braking improve front end geometry for turning better than rear brake trail braking? (Decreases rake and trail)
Loved this video, finally really understood how you go into twisties with breaks ( was still wrapping my head around it to be 100% sure what its like, even though watched all the rest of videos regards that). Well of course, real 100% clarity will be with my own practice and skills when I reach that point. I love how you explained things. And DAYUM, Scott Redding video gave me chills, thanks for sharing and teaching as always, grateful. Oh and rear break with a thumb, damn, so much goes into professional racing, mind-blowing.
:) Yes, pro racers are amazing
I am doing that all
But never bored from your videos .
Although it's not new for me am also learning .
keep at it til you master it
You draw pretty good man! I watch this channel and Robert Simmons' channel. You guys are great. By the way, WWF Attitude Era, the best!!!
How about this POV ? It gives a guideline to use when riding.
If you need light braking: engine, front or back. All are ok and you practice to check when it's more comfortable for you to use one or another, understanding engine breaking will not get you to a stop.
if you need medium braking: front, engine + front, engine + rear, front + rear and engine + front + rear. The first 2 are the main options, the 3rd is to practice for the what if situation where you can't use front breaks, and the last 2 are aimed to optimize the breaking pads life and make your ride a bit smoother as instead of using front you use front & rear with lighter pressure or instead of engine + front, you use engine + front & rear with also lighter pressure. Also you practice to check when it's more comfortable for you to use one or another.
If you need hard breaking: front + rear or engine + front + rear. And this is the scenario where you need more practice as it's the less forgiving.
if it's wet or raining, nothing abrupt is allowed, all progressive and steady always, everything else is possible with that restriction, which explains why the simple "slow down when wet or raining" advice, works wonders.
I've seen your tips and training making me practice all the breaking combinations, I apply them to my pov and I've improved a lot. Thank you. Maybe this can help those who experience certain doubts of how to break, on a certain specific situation.
All depends on many variables...there's no main therefore less important braking...all depends on what you're doing, pace, traction, bike, condition, etc.. And who cares about brake pads? They're cheap.
@@MotoJitsu Come on ! ... :/ You only have 3 sources for breaking/slowing down, front, back and engine, ordered by power, therefore, your main source of breaking is your front break, so, it becomes your main break and the others become secondary, but you still have 3 sources of breaking, so, practice to use them all to their utmost reach.
Now on "all depends..." tell me of a situation where you know you have to break, where you need something else than light, medium or hard breaking ?
Practice and experience gives you when you need each option, so it becomes easy, I'm riding closing into a blind curve at 60 mph with all the traffic, everyone already on the curve are breaking somewhat harder than normal, I know something unexpected has happened and I still can't see it, I know I need light to medium breaking to adjust and get ready for whatever comes afterwards, which ranges from just keep going at a slower pace to emergency breaking on an escape patch between cars, so, without even thinking, I start applying front break, gear down and throttle match to adjust; that you are very good and practice to do so with rear break not only for the situation where you have no front breaks but also for fun, cool, but I bet that on the streets where something unexpected happens, you right fingers reach your breaks as reflex, why ? because you know the front breaks are your main source of breaking. As I said, you practice to check when any of the methods of achieving any level of breaking, works best, not forgetting you practice for a what if situation, and having alternatives, again, you want also for fun, cool.
On the pads, also, come on ! not everyone has your resources and conveniently you left the "your ride will be a bit smoother" part out...
Man, what's wrong ? why are you kind of angry at me ? what did I do to wrong you in any way ? I only want to learn more and become a better rider every day, I do all I can of what you teach, even to the extent of having to find a street to do so, and practicing with an eye for the few times a car comes by, as they won't let me practice on parking lots, but for like 3 months now, I ask you for some advice on a specific situation, and your answer is: take courses, read books, shut up and practice; that is no help at all, I still need the answer to my question, and as sad as it seems, you are my only reliable/professional source of info about motorcycles, if you don't want to be so, tell me, and I will not post anything, ever again.
Nice video. You did mention that especially the trailbraking is advanced stuff that requires a lot of dexterity. I think trailbraking is a technique that is useful when you are carrying a lot of speed into a corner. Adding extra rear break because of an obstacle or tightening corner (when trailbraking using the rear brake) is very dangerous in a corner. So is adding extra front brake, for that matter, but only when smoothly applied, it can save your ass. So it is a skill that should only be considered by experienced riders. If you are riding at a ‘street decent’ pace in the twisties, you should be able to do all your necessary adjustments by extra steering and/or throttle decrease/increase. Should you have to add more break in a corner, you are coming in too hot anyway.
Not just useful for higher speeds. It's not dangerous in a corner to use the rear or front brake if you know what you're doing. You may have to add more brakes in the corner because there's gravel or an oncoming car or a deer...many reasons besides "coming in too hot."
Thanks for the feedback, Fast Eddie. I agree, if you know what you’re doing adding extra brake shouldn’t be a problem. But many an inexperienced rider can be caught off guard when something unexpected shows up in the corner. And just the tiniest bit of too much brake (especially when not smoothly applied) when at lean, will easily cause a lowside. I quest one should always expect the unexpected in every corner and adjust the pace in advance. I ride a lot of narrow twisties, along the small rivers we have in my area (Amsterdam, Netherlands) and i have encountered gravel, turning cars, trucks that are as wide as the road, just around a blind corner. So I am always committed to be able to stop or swerve in the part of the road that I can oversee. Trailbraking , for me, is a lifesaver. But if you panic or if you are not prepared, If you haven’t practised this in a safe place, to an extend that it has become part of your ‘survival reaction’ I would not recommend using trailbraking on public roads. Riding slow enough is the best technique to use in that case.
The rider is always the issue, not the brakes. More riders need to take more courses and practice more often so if they do get into a situation, they know what to do.
I mostly use the rear brake for trailbraking when I ride the twisties... but sometimes I use the front brake. I never use them both at the same time while trailbraking, maybe I need to practice that one too. But I think the rear brake is perfect when you feel you go to fast in a corner and you need to brake a bit to make your turn smaller.
All depends on the pace, what you feel like, skill level, etc. Learn and practice and master it all :)
I usually brake with my rear brakes and use the front brake as an assist. I think its easier to save from a rear loosing traction than the front loosing traction.
When I'm approaching a stop light with speed, I usually use my rear brakes and downshift until when I'm almost reaching the line, I will apply my front brakes slowly until the motorcycle stops.
I always rely on my rear brakes and engine braking and the front for assist
coming to a stop light, use whatever you wish..no right or wrong, all preference.
@@MotoJitsu Thank you for your response. I have one more question for you sir. Should I always use my rear brakes and front brakes for assist or should I rely on my front brakes more? I have watched alot of videos on RUclips and it seems that all of em is telling to rely 70% front 30%rear. For me is the other way around. Even when I'm riding in high speed I always apply rear brakes down shift and then, use my front brakes to assist. Thank you ! I'm a big fan, and I watched all your videos without skipping.
What brake you use and how much of it and when and why mostly depends on the pace you're going. Watch this video it should help out :) ruclips.net/video/zrSAgtVZ-Xk/видео.html
@@MotoJitsu you are a legend. Thank you !
❤️👍🏼
Awesome explanation! Thank you I’m new to riding and I was curious to know what the proper technique is to brake at a light when it turns from green to yellow to red.
You're welcome!! There is no right or wrong when coming to a light...use any combination you want of front or rear to stop. Reminder to follow me on here too instagram.com/motojitsuclub/
Thank you for taking the time to make every single video on so many topics. I hope that I can support you in the future!!
You're welcome! Easiest thing to do is grab one of my books and give it away to another rider :) motojitsu.com/shop
i dont know, is it my 5 years expirience of riding scooters, but i think that i use my rear brake a lot... especially when stopping on a red light and on the twisties.. i do trail braking all the time... on my caffe racer i changed my rear brake pads first, front r still good...not the same story with my triumph,... maybe cause it has weaker rear brake but i still use it in trail braking and to correct my line when cornering...
i agree with u completly man... on almost every video..
too bad some people where i live dont understand english very good and i always have to translate ur video or explain it as i know it...😁
Keep doing good work :)
Using the rear brake often comes natural to me. I learned it on a shitty moped with a badly worn front wheel with shitty front brakes! Luckily my Africa Twin has a nice front brake, but still I find myself using the rear brake very often.
It's another tool to use and practice with :)
Thumbs up for your videos always!! Thank you, Greg!!
Another great video. I like using my front brake almost always. The rear brake is a real bitch to service compared to the front, so it is relegated to hold me from rolling on hills until I get moving.
get good w/both:)
@@MotoJitsu yeahbuddy! I've been practicing quite a bit with it lately. You inspire me to practice riding more than I ever have, and I can feel the difference in my skill level and overall confidence. Cheers brother!
Great job Eddie, not an easy topic. Very digestible, keep up the good work!
Thanks, will do!
Excellent analysis and explanation, including the important point that there is no 'one right answer'.
Thanks :!
Great summary. Love your slides. Show how much you put into each video. Keep on the great work in educating riders.
Small advice if I may: keep it shorter but still love your content.
Thanks. If I were to make it shorter, then it'd be like any other video out there where the in depth understanding is lacking.
Hey, thanks for the teach, is it a must to use a crouch when braking, to all front or foot brake
welcome!
Im not skipping ads to thank you for teaching me a lot of tips for free. Thank you sir! Beginner rider here
Thanks!
DCT....or Dual Clutch Trans. Can I use the rear brake for slow speed control? I noticed you want me to learn without brakes first. I have been using the rear like a clutch at slow speeds. Heavy then light with pulses to keep power where I want it. I guess my question is, can I use the rear brake for every time you use clutch control? Is there another technique for DCT? I looked for another comment for this but couldn't find anything. How fast am I going to go through rear brakes???? I am probably missing your DCT answers sorry. AWESOME VIDS!!!! Please dont stop. You are saving lives. Africa Twin DCT BTW. Thank You.
you can use the rear brake whenever you want on any bike.
@@MotoJitsu Thanks. I can use it longer now with more confidence.
Good tip on coming up to blind corners I wish I saw this before I made my bike react and do a low side threw a blind turn.I wasn’t ready for a car to come out
thanks, no go practice!
Good ole maintenance throttle. People forget that a lot. Great video. I'll experiment with the rear a bit on the track Sunday.
thanks
I've don a lot of high-performance driving in cars and am coming back to motorcycling. Yes, I'm starting again with the basic basics. In cars, two bit of good guidance are, "Slow in, fast out" and "Brake, turn, gear, go". These make sense on a bike too, correct?
As general sayings...that's all they are. None of it matters at some paces, others different paces. Cam Petersen when talking about track riding is fast in fast out...on the street maybe slow in make it out alive would be better. All depends. Sometimes I don't brake at all before a turn..just roll off the gas....so I would say no...sayings like that aren't actually true due to too many variables.
MotoJitsu® Yep, these were comments and guidelines for fast-paced twisites or track work. I like "slow in, make it out alive".
For track riding, fast in fast out....or more specific, how fast can you get to, and away from the slowest point of the corner. Street riding is totally different since the pace is dramatically less.
Thanks for your reasoned and cautious approach to each situation. Your step by step methodology is very helpful. My experience comes from many years of off-road, where the rear was the default brake. When I learned to ride pavement, rear brake-trail braking was intuitive for me before I even knew what "trail braking" was. I've watched and read almost everything on the subject, and this video made me wonder ...; "... What is the best training method a rider can use to master the front brake for trail braking, and is it possible that with practice the front brake may eventually replace the rear for trail braking, or as Jake Gagne demonstrated, a skilled rider could continue to use the rear with confidence, and simply develop similar confidence with the front brake by knowing when to use either, or both brakes, and just how much to maximize traction and control at any speed or in any situation?
Thanks. All depends on the situation.
Another great vid. I think i brake like you. I seem to get through 2 rears for every 1 front tyre. Same for you or am I overcooking the rear/ too much rear braking ??????
thanks. That's normal for people to wear out two rear tires for one front.
If you haven't already, check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc.
@@MotoJitsu Thanks mate. I get 3+k km from a '7k rear' (and 7k from the front rubber) ,a couple people have said i trail brake too much w the rear. I've only just caught on to yr vids and got into analysing my style (at 57 yrs old...) Glad to hear I'm more or less on point. I'll be watching more and subscribing once i'm back home. Long life ! The world needs people like you. And as many twists as they can handle. If yr ever in Spain come visit (twisty heaven) - el.sexto.pino on insta,
trail braking with the rear won't out the rear tire faster.
Greg, thanks for another great video tutorial.
The BIG QUESTION is - where to obtain that miniature motorcycle?
Thanks!
I find that I use mostly engine braking in the twisties. I have a heavy cruiser with floorboards so not much lean. I take the curves at pretty low speed. I dragged the floorboards a few times today.
For a certain pace sometimes engine braking is all you need...still learn, practice, and master trail braking w/front and rear
I have a 2019 BMW S 1000 XR. I have never had a bike with ABS before. I use mostly the front brake, but the rear is also braking. My first trip to the parking lot, with ABS I could easily stop from 25 m.p.h. in fifteen feet. For road riding, trail braking should I shut off the ABS?
Technology has nothing to do with the technique of trail braking...no need to do anything to your bike, just learn how to ride it :) Take courses and practice :)
Don't turn off ABS for ordinary riding. In Europe, where ABS is mandatory on new bikes, we're taught that in emergency braking it's okay to brake so hard with both front and rear brakes that the ABS kicks in. Both to get efficient stopping distance and to get a feel for how you bike reacts to the ABS system.
@@copenh21 in the UK I would have failed the module 1 test if the ABS kicked in too quickly on the emergency brake. If (as is likely) you are going to be riding (as a first 'big' bike) an older bike without ABS after your test then you would be screwed in a real life emergency stop if you came to rely on the ABS in practice .
Thanks for that great video!
Can you give a tip on the rear brakes foot position? It's always a confusing moment for me while riding different bikes - from naked to cruisers. - Do I have to position my leg on a foot peg, so that I can immediately press the brake with my toe? Or should I position it a little backwards so that in case I need rear brakes I can move / reposition my leg forward? Or should I turn my foot to the right, so that in case I need rear brakes I can just turn my foot up and left and press the brakes?
It's very confusing what is correct ))) I have to say that rear brakes is the most uncomfortable part of the motorcycle handling for me ))
You're welcome. Wherever feels best for you...and I have videos about it. There is no "correct"
@@MotoJitsu thank you, understood 👍 I will search for that video then 😁
Incredibly useful post. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Check out MotoJitsu.com for my new app, books, merch, etc. Thanks for watching :)
Man, this is exactly what I needed . Good job, Sir.
Glad I could help!
And here is me, i thought trail breaking should be only done with the front... Always learn something new! Thanks for the video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love your explanations and teaching style, lots to think about and practice in this vid
Glad you like it!
Thx again, as soon we can get on the road, we will have a lot to practice
:)
Thank you, professor Jitsu!
you're welcome :)
For beginners, always pay more attention to the front brake. Practice more on front brake, because that's the main thing that stops your two-wheels under any situation. I am not saying rear brake is uselses, but that's where most beginners are confused about, they are afraid of using front brake and thinking of front brake as dangers. When you are confident on your front brake, then learn the techinques of rear brake. That's my advise for beginners.
This video isn't for beginners or anyone else. It's knowledge for everyone to use and try out/practice.
This is one of my favorite videos, thank you much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I believe i was told in my MSF course (BRC) to apply at least a little bit of rear brake, then transition to (majority) front brake, as to keep the rear of bike from getting TOO light/excited under heavy braking. Is this a big no-no for "harder riding" or am i alright to keep doing this during spirited trips through country roads? I'm planning on taking IRC/ARC whenever i get the funds in order so I'm sure the majority of my questions will be answered in due time.
this video isn't about heavy/emergency/fast braking, I have an entire playlist about that.
As usual very well explained . Blind corners explained perfectly if all riders did it, there would be a lot less falls. Hi from Australia.
Thanks 👍
Is it OK to use rear brake lightly when in the middle-of-a corner? I was told rear braking in a corner will help the bike lean more
Bikes have much more grip than people generally think they do (myself included, until I started riding). Like you say though, it's all down to technique, and on a bike you can easily exceed the limits through poor technique.
What a great video's you make, thank you very much!!! After 15 years not riding I have bought myself a bmw k1200gt (2004) which has linked brakes. Could you tell me (us) something about using these brakes practising trail braking. Hope to hear from you.
I talk about trail braking with the rear, in this video
Great video and instructions. You're videos help me tremendously. I recently subscribed and I recommend your channel to my riding crew.
Thanks Rudy!
Hi Motojitsu, greetings from Argentina! it would be awesome if you can do a review of the actual most famous bike and most popular Yamaha bike in my country and in most developing countries, the Yamaha FZ Fi.
I'm pretty sure that video would be interesting for your north American audience so they can see what Yamaha has to offer outside, and also to show the superb engineering of this famous model.
And it would be pretty neat to see you ride it and showing your impressions. You will make happy a lot of people around the world.
Thank you so much Greg. I have learned so much from you. Stay healthy
You're welcome!
I really like how these videos are short and to the point. Hey MotoJitsu, I'm in the habit of always stopping with both brakes all the way to a complete stop. I even trail brake with both brakes. But very lite on the rear brakes. Is that a good habit or should I practice more of what you say in this video.
There's no wrong...however you stop is up to you..I just say practice everything, every which way there is.
@@MotoJitsu Thank you very much, I've never crashed and trying to keep it that way.That's why I listen to guys like you and practice practice practice. I really appreciate you. You have saved many lives with these lessons.
@@Lokey_8664 You're welcome...if you're able to..one huge, very important step is to take formal training....THEN practice what you learn...I'm just sharing what I've learned after taking courses and practicing, but you have to do both yourself motojitsu.com/courses
@@MotoJitsu Cool I'll look into it
@@Lokey_8664 take as many as you can, as often as you can then spend a tremendous amount of time experimenting and practicing what you learn if you want to become a really good rider. My MotoJitsu drills and books and videos are what to do when you're not in a course :)
Hi Eddie. Question - my bike has linked brakes. So when I use the rear, one piston of at the front is engaged. When I use the front, same happens at the rear. I guess this has an effect on braking technique. For example, your video confirmed that I've been doing rear trail braking since I began riding again (well, after 22 years) last year - I find it natural - perhaps it's something taken over from bicycle, where I'd ALWAYS use both brakes in the corners (road conditions permitting).
Also... It seems that style of the bike (center of gravity, front rake, and rider's position) would affect the way one brakes.
Thanks!
Technique over technology...once you learn trail braking for instance...it's the same fundamental idea no matter what bike. I would get into high level courses when you can motojitsu.com/courses
@@MotoJitsu I'd love to... but it's quite a ride from Central Europe :(
Fair enough...But you talked about front brake and engine braking, besides the rear brake.
yup
I like the vids you put out, but i want to see more on your DRZ, like a review, mods, pros and cons. I'm in the market for one right now.
That's not the purpose of my channel
@@MotoJitsu thanks for all you do!
I've always trained myself since 2006 to only use the rear brake for the majority of my slowing down and stopping. I use the rear brake like I'm trying to roll a raw egg, Very gentle and slowly. Until I get to the last several feet of stopping, I will use the front brake. I never grab the front brake, even when I might want to panic over something, it will always be the clutch and/or moderate rear brake; depends on the situation. Yes, I've always been too terrified about flipping over the front of my Harley, I never want that! So far, with the 4.5 years of Harley riding, and 6 months getting back into it, never had a problem. I think the weight and handling of your bike has alot to do with different braking characteristics. Not every bike is the same, but the basics are. 🙂
You really, really, really should pratice using the front brake also.
You will most likely never flip over the front on a Harley...you'll lowside before that happens. I would suggest you going to practice emergency braking...set up two cones or sticks or whatever and see if you can stop within 18ft at 20mph....then practice until you can consistently.
@@MotoJitsu, ok! Thanks for the tips! 😀 Any chance you sell T-Shirts for your channel? Maybe I can wear one during my videos, and promote your channel. 🙂
@@MotoJitsu, I found your merch page! There's a T-Shirt I am interested in already. Like I mentioned, I plan to wear it and display it during my videos. I hope that will be ok, and I hope you might watch it too. 🙂🙂
You're welcome yes motojitsu.com/shop
Awesome! But why do you mostly use rear in the wet? Why is it better?
I didn’t say that
Thanks Eddie, when I am on the street and I am coming up to a light I roll off the throttle, let the engine break a little then I use the rear break first, then just after the weight transfer to the front wheel I start using the front break and then depending on my speed and distance to the stop I transition to mostly front break.. Your thoughts on my breaking...
There's a million ways to come to a stop light..that's your way...it isn't right or wrong...all depends.
Love your content 😀 i also find rear brakes very helpful while coming to stops, or keeping the balance while pushing bumper to bumper traffic at very low speeds, like under 20mph
Hi great vid as usual! But if putting more pressure on rear brake, were the rear wear lock or skid? Thanks
if you use it too much it could
@@MotoJitsu And it would skid or lock regardless rainy and dry weather?
the brake doesn't do anything without the rider....same thing applies...it may or may not skid all depends on how you're using it.
Your stuff is fantastic. Thanks.
Glad you enjoy it!
Thanks for the solid video on breaking. My question is when you are emergency braking from 65mph do you down shift through all the gears are just focus on your front and back brake stopping
focus on the front and make sure you're in 1st before you stop....but #1 is don't hit what you're trying to avoid
I’m super new but I’ve been taking lessons to get ready for my BRC these videos are great! What is technique you were saying Lee Parks talks about with all four inputs working?
each limb is doing different things
If you didn't know, I have a MotoJitsu app! Check out my website MotoJitsu.com for the links as well as my books, merch, affiliate links to Revzilla, courses I recommend, etc.
I don't understand why racers use throttle to apply power to the rear wheel to accelerate out of a corner but simultaneously use rear brake to reduce the power to the rear wheel to avoid lifting the front. Why not use less throttle and no rear brake? Accelerating and decelerating the rear wheel at the same time makes no sense to me, unless maybe they want the engine producing power that they're using to heat the rear brake so there is no delay to spool up the engine and the power is instantly availably by releasing the rear brake?
So it doesn’t wheelie in order to get the best drive out of the corner without having to roll off the gas.
@@MotoJitsu - Thanks. And Merry Christmas!
👍🏼👍🏼
Your diagrams are really great!