braking?

[Walley]

i was riding along and just thinking to myself. why arent the larger disk brakes on the rear tyre instead of the front? the rear tyre is larger and therefore has a bigger surface area, so wouldnt we be able to slow down faster if the majority of our bikes braking power was on the rear?

theres obviously a good reason the big brakes are on the front otherwise they wouldnt do it. just wondering really

ta

[maya]

Here's something to get you thinking...

Where does all the weight go when you brake?

[Davey]

because when you are stopping all the weight is on the FRONT tyre.

[kwakas]

as you brake weight transfers to the front tyre putting more grip on the front meaning you can brake more effectively hence the use for bigger disc. if bigger on your rear as you brake weight lifts off the back meaning the rear tyre would lock up.

[Suzukiphile]

you obviously need to brush up on your physics.

[jabba]

When your braking, most of the weight transfers to the front. If a greater percentage of braking was done through the rear, the rear wheel would just lock up.

[chance]

Cause it looks good !!

[THE GODFATHER]

Honda Shop Midland have a good little DVD on this issue. Features Wayne Gardner. Maybe speak to the DESMOGOD and watch it.

[Aphex]

Did your instructor teach you nothing?

[Ryder]

If you watch any form of racing, you'll see from time to time that bikes are braking so hard with just the front brakes that the rear tyre is totally off the ground. Thats how much the weight balance can shift when you're braking!

Imo, on a sportsbike (cruisers ect a little different) the rear brake is useful only for slow speed manuveres. I dont even touch it when braking hard.

[Scoundrel]

OH DEAR LORD JESUS

Your front wheel/brake contains 75% of your bike's stopping power.

[padfoot]

OH DEAR LORD JESUS

Your front wheel/brake contains 75% of your bike's stopping power.

I think he was asking why it contains so much stopping power... And that was answered a few posts ago

[Phildo]

Where does all the weight go when you brake?

That depends on how well the chick on the back is holding on.

[RICO]

Don't you mean how "large" *ahem* she is? Surely that would help slow ya down

[ranmar850]

Short history of motorcycle brakes....

Don't feel too bad about it, mate....I have had the pleasure of riding a veteran Norton--3 speed hand shift, manual spark advance/air mix, etc. This was apparently the Gixxer thou of its day , about the fastest thing you could buy (steady down the back all you R1 fanboys) The front brake is best regarded as an adornment for the RH bar end, the rear brake is much larger and more effective. They didn't really get the physics right for a long time...the really scary thing is that they used to lap the IOM TT at over a 60MPH (100km/hr ) average on these . The bike? Norton Model 18, 500cc, OHV--the year? 1927