Linked Brakes (No ABS) - Can't Lock Rear Wheel?

I've had my '98 a while and was never that excited about the rear brake's ability to slow the bike. I know Honda didn't want newbies locking the rear wheel in a panic and so proportioned some braking to the front brakes via a delay valve. Well and good.

I've read in the VFR forums of at least a few who say they can lock the rear wheel on a linked VFR. I've never been able to do that on my bike.

I've kept my calipers clean and pads checked, and I just flush the system with new fluid, there's no air, etc., but bought the bike used and it was possible the rear pads were contaminated by chain lube. I installed new Honda pads and thoroughly cleaned the rotor with aerosol brake cleaner and paper towels until they came up clean.

Test Drive on New Pads = Still no locking of the rear, regardless of pressure applied, though the bike generally stopped quicker with the rear brake, alone, than it did before the pad change, so that was a factor.

Question - should I be able to lock the rear brake on dry pavement at all?

If the answer is "yes," should I consider I've got a bad proportioning and/or delay valve? If so, how to check for proper operation? Front brakes are fine and the bike stops quickly overall, no muss or fuss - I just want to make sure the rear brake's up to scratch.

Thanks for any advice.

 

Well i wouldn't say you "can't" because on black ice i have locked up...mind you it was so slippery i couldn't stand eather.....

So while i'm sure you could lock it up it would take a lot, such as a lot of front break easentially making you do an endo...
I don't see one happening simply by stompingon the rear break hard on an abs system.

Also note not al 6gen hve ABS but all have lonked breaks, in this case I can see it being an issue.

 

For reasons I'm not able to explain with logic, I have tried to lock the rear brake on my 6th gen (non-ABS), when riding on a dry paved road.

Despite absolutely stamping on the pedal, it didn't lock - but the front end did dive!

I doubt it would be impossible to do, especially where traction levels aren't so great - but on a good surface, you are going to be "going some" to get it to lock.

BTW, I used to take my ol' blackbird on track days... There I could lock the rear brake without even touching the brake pedal! :scared:

 

I have a 04 non-abs. I have locked the back brake a couple times, but in a quick brake situations. First time was in a panic stop, pulled in the clutch and hard on brakes. Back locked up for a second. This could also have been from rear of bike becoming light, as weight shifts forward. Second time was in a quick deceleration, not sure if it was brakes or just from a bad down shift and didn't match rpm's. I have never tried just hitting the back brake to see if it will lock up. I will have to try it out when the roads here dry out. Also make sure brake is pushing the plunger, and adjusted properly.

 

I've posted this issue on all the VFR boards and it seems the 6th Gen bikes can lock the rear, but almost none of the 5th Gen bikes do (and the few that do aren't clear whether that was with rear brake, alone, or if the weight was transferred off the rear wheel using the front brake).

5th Gens use the rear pedal to activate 1 piston in each front caliper, while 6th Gens activate 1 piston in the left front caliper, only. I wonder if the two bikes use the same rear master cylinder and, if so, whether the reduction of braking juice to the front means there's more for the rear caliper (which operates with two pistons via the pedal)?

I also wonder why Honda changed the arrangement to limit pedal braking to the left front caliper, only.

 

I'm sure I saw marketing blurb for the 6th gen stating the set-up was changed for a "more sporting biased feel"

 

In that case, I can't disagree with the change - there's not much more excitingly "sporty" than crossing it up through a busy intersection, back end coming around to meet the front, soccer moms screaming with delight at the hijinks, etc. Kidding as to the degree, and as to the whole thing, actually.:smile: