Tom's Rider Education Page

Front or Rear Brake?

ANSWER: While the most effective method for stopping is to use both brakes, one of the two brakes stands out as the most effective. The front brake has the most stopping power. As you apply pressure to the front brake by "squeezing" the lever, more weight is transferred to the front wheel. As more weight is transferred forward, there is more traction available for braking. At the rear of the motorcycle the opposite is happening. The rear wheel is becoming lighter and therefore has less traction.

Over the years I have heard some "interesting" thoughts about using the front brake. One went something like this:

While working at a motorcycle dealership I sold a 1978 Honda CB 750K to a local College student. Later in the summer he brought it in for some repairs that resulted from a minor spill. At the time I was road racing a MT125RII that had a mechanical front disc brake. I noticed his CB750 had a hydraulic caliper that would bolt right up to my MT125RII.

Jokingly, I asked him if he wanted to sell the caliper. He said, "Sure, that's the whole reason I crashed." "You would be doing me a favor!" And off he rode......

$25 later, and a couple of bolts,  we were both happy........