Linked Brakes - stopping in a bend

I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but the last thread on the subject I could find was a year old, and I have a specific question.

When you're in a bend and suddenly you have to make an emergency stop, you're supposed to use the rear brake - avoiding the front brake so as not to fall over. At least that's how I was trained, and it worked on the course I was on.

My question is, does the LBS on the VFR impede safe braking while in a bend? Or is it that if you only activate the pedal, most of the braking will be on the rear wheel and the front braking casued by the LBS won't be enough to cause a spill?

 

Never heard that one before.

The whole idea of the linked brakes is to compensate for rider inadequacies.

If you just use the rear brake in a bend you are likely to be highsided IMHO.

 

NOT what the MSF teaches.

"Most of the braking" will never be done by the rear. 70% front, 30% rear, in perfect conditions is the rule.

I agree. Not a safe technique. You would highside if you let off the brake, or rear lowside if you stay on it. Either way, not a safe bet.

To answer your question in general, the LBS does not adversely affect emergency braking in a corner.

 

I have never had a problem using my front brake in a corner.
Watch some races on tv and you will be surprised on how far into a corner you can brake.
as far as LBS using the rear brake pedal will put pressure on front brakes and front brake lever will put pressure on rear brakes.

pratice, practice, pratice

 

what he said.

 

I've done emergency stops on my 5th gen using the front brake with no problems. You just gotta be ready to make minor steering adjustments because the bike wants to "fall down".

 

OK, I was completely wrong.

Here's the answer I got from the instructor:

"You want to focus on covering the front and rear brake and applying the front with a smooth progressive squeeze letting the weight transfer occur and causing the rear brake to be properly applied.
You want to make the motorcycle to stop straight in the T postion.

The folks are correct - using all rear brake will cause the motorcycle a high side. This is because the rear will slide right or left depending on the camber of the road surface.

Remember the front has 90 percent of your stopping capibility and the rear only 10 percent ratio ."

I think that my memories confused the rear brake only re: the slow speed maneouvering with what to do in a curved road emergency brake situation. Thanks for the feedback - whew! I'm glad I asked! Sounds like Honda's LBS will be a bonus in this situation.

 

Don't think so. If I remember correctly there is a third piston in the left front caliper that is activated when you press the rear brake pedal. There is NO additional piston in the rear caliper so using the front brakes applies ONLY front brakes, no rear.

It's been a couple of years since I read that so I could be wrong though.

 

I don't have the manual in front of me but there are 2 lines on rear brake caliper, so I am assuming they are linked to front lever as well.

 

Linked brakes are linked, therefore when front is applied a certain amount of minimal breaking is also applied to the rear. Same goes for rear break engagement, some front will be applied. When both are applied simaltaniously then all calipers engage and and the bike is at maximium stopping power.

One of Hondas reasons for adding linked brakes was to help the rider use a smooth breaking effort, especially in corners, despite the riders best efforts to do otherwise.

 

thanks havcar
I searched online and found info.

Honda fitted its DCBS linked braking system, a departure from traditional independent front/rear motorcycle braking systems. In this system, the front brake lever applies pressure to four (in later models five) of the six front pistons. The rotational movement of the left caliper when engaged actuates a secondary master cylinder and applies pressure to one of the rear pistons. The rear brake pedal is directly attached to the remaining pistons (two in the rear, and one or two in the front).

when I first got my 02 I thought it was strange to have 2 rear lines so I figured they were hooked to front lever.

 

I know that some critics have been harsh on linked brakes. Critics that want total control of the bike in a track situation, which the VFR wasn't really built for, but I gotta say that in real world environments I've grown pretty fond of the linked system. I find it does a nice job of controlling suspension load ups and rebound when the front brakes are under heavy use.

 

well after 3 months of riding I hated them, but mostly due to my racing backround.
now having ridden the bike w/ LBS for 3 years ( stock pads replace w/ EBC ) I have to say I have no issuse with them other then doing wheelies ( between LBS and V-tec VFR is not a wheelie machine ) and have grown to very much like the LBS for the same reasons stated above.

I also think they would be a plus on the track as well, just need to relearn a few things to get all the benifit of the LBS system.

 

Actualy the MSF teaches if you have to use the break in a corner to lightly appy rear. If you have to do a quick stop in the corner you are suppose to straighten the bike up and perform an emergency stop.

 

I have to say i love the LBS system and have total confidence in them right up to full wheel lock. i have worked that system real hard on the road and under heavy cornering load with no problems.

what i have noticed, and i like, is that you can actually feel the back end hunker down a bit under front braking. the more heavily you brake the more you feel it. it gives the bike a planted feel and also reduces the nose dive associated with conventional set ups.

i ve used the dual CBS on the blackbird, gen 5's and now my gen 6 all to good effect.:thumbsup:

 

hou-vfr.... makes a good point.... This can also be done in sections Straighten/brake/lean/stra/brake/lean..... Say if your going 'round a curve and there is sand in a section you will have to cross where you would normally be leaning.... You would want to stra/bra/cross/bra/lean.... this is a good practice skill.... You can practice this while going 'round a curve where there isn't anything wrong, till you are good at it... I do this one a lot....