Is it really safe to use only the front break of a motorbike?

Question

I have been riding my motorbike for about six months now.

I used to use both front and rear breaks when stopping because i have heard its a very safe way to use breaks.

I just had a terrible accident few days ago.

and vary confused about the incident because i could not figure out what causes it.

It happened when i apply my front breaks little bit harder than usual (with the rear breaks) to avoid a dog.

Only thing i remember is hitting my head on the ground (so hard).

I have been using front breaks with a lot of confidence but after that incident i am really scared to use it.

Is it really safe to use front break or front break only. Or what did i do wrong.

Answer 1

The brakes compliment each other.

With brake application, weight transfers forwards, putting the centre of gravity more to the front of the bike compared to normal, and makes it easier to flip the bike.

When I ride on the dirt, I try to use as much of both brakes as possible. The rear brakes acts to stabilise the bike, because when you use only the front brake, the whole bike is trying to pivot around the front tyre contact patch. Whether that be to either side or over the bars depends entirely on the situation.

In an emergency braking stuation, I try to hold myself back from the bars so I don't flop forwards and make the weight transfer problem worse, and apply both brakes as much as I can without making the bike 'nervous', that is, feeling the rear tyre wanting to skid and slide out, or the front wheel wanting to lock up and catapult me over the bars.

With pratice you will get better at modulating the brakes. You will develop better 'feel'. I like gloves with very thin fabric or leather on the inside of the fingers, and I use my fingertips on the levers, not the second segment of my fingers. You can actually feel what the brakes are doing through the levers, whether the wheel is going to lock or not.

Answer 2

If rear brakes were unsafe they wouldnt be there. This sounds opposite and equally wrong from the earlier rumor of not using the front brake to avoid being thrown over the handlebar. Use both brakes to stop quicker.

Answer 3

No No No, do not just use the front brake, it will cause the back end of your bike to slide out sideways and it will end up trying to overtake the front of your bike, if i remember it's  70% front brake and 30% back brake, but never front only, never. and not only that, if you were on a slight lean when you applied the front brake only then the front end would slide out from under you.

The front brake is the more important of the two brakes. An average motorcycle relies on the front brake for 70-to-80 percent of its stopping power. Bikes with long wheelbases and a more rearward weight distribution (like cruisers) rely more heavily on their rear brakes than bikes with shorter wheelbases (like sportbikes) but even on a cruiser, it is the front brake that does most of the work when stopping.

Answer 4

You answered your own question. Use the front brake sparingly. If you lock it up you end up on your head. Just use it enough to assist the rear brake.

Answer 5

No.

I ride a motorbike and I use both brakes in different ratios depending how fast I am going.

At slow speeds I only use the back brake (using the front brake locks the front wheel so you you loose steering control).

At medium speed I use both brakes about 50/50.

At high speeds use us more front brake as the weight of the bike surges forward onto the front wheel. You still use back brake as well.

If you use too much front brake then you loose steering control (unless the bike is fitted with ABS) and if you don't use enough back brake then the back wheel is still pushing you forward so it skids out and you go down.

Just before my test a car pulled out in front of me and I ended up braking hard, skidding and going down. I passed my test that day and have been riding since. It takes time and experience to know when to use which brake. Generally though you use the back brake much more than the front brake.

Answer 6

No it is unsafe and dangerous but in a panic situation using the front brakes are better than using none.....

Answer 7

iF you use the front brake just lightly then it is fine but if you have to slow down hard and very quickly then you can flip forward and very hurt yourself and even get killed. Get the back brake fix. It is very easy and doesn't cost much and can save your life. I would suggest not riding until you get the rear brake fix.

Answer 8

No, if you have to brake suddenly for whatever reason, using the front brake only will cause your rear end to fly over the front.

This is what MOST PROBEBLY made you end up on the floor head first.

If you had hit the rear brakes harder, you most likely would have jolted backwards

Answer 9

You want to use both. i believe its around 70% front and 30 % rear. if you put to much break on the rear it will lock up the back tire, which you probally did. if you use all front brakes and need to stop fast you can flip your bike right over.

Answer 10

If you really have to ask this question then you dont belong on a bike!!!  sorry dude