Thoughts on braking

[macp]

I have noticed since moving from motorcycles to scooters that I have gotten into the habit in the dry and where needed applying just the back brake to steady myself into a bend rather than the front as I would have done on my motorcycle. Perhaps its because the throttle controls the machine to a greater degree than on a manual bike and I am on the throttle more due to the lower power ? I use both back & front when slowing from high speed and also in the wet.I also drag the back brake with a little throttle when I am conducting a slow maneuvre into a parking bay etc.

I need to get out of the habit re the back brake but interested in other riders thoughts on how you brake both from newbies like me or the experienced guys.

[SpikeOne]

Try to get all my braking done whilst in a straight line.
Hardly ever touch them on the bend, and then only very gently to check myself.
Of course sometimes I over cook it and I have to brake in the wrong place. Then I try to balance front and back.
If it's looking like I'm really f****d, then I counter steer and pray.
Seems to have worked OK so far...

[halfabusa]

I use both brakes as i was taught in the riding classes, approximately 70% front 30% rear brakes combined.

If it's ice, it's mostly rear brakes but GENTLY.

If i'm cornering, i use the rear if i want to keep my angle of cornering, and the front if i realise i leaned too much.

If it's wet, then the distribution is more like 50% 50% (straight line) and 10% front 90% rear when cornering wet corners.

I don't think the braking logic changes whether it's a geared bike or scooter you're riding. The only difference would be gears providing you extra slowing down power, which i think is what you're trying to achieve by being on the rear brakes more often.

[gn2]

I used to trail the rear brake on a motorbike if I felt I was going too fast into a corner or if the corner unexpectedly tightened.
At PCX speeds and with linked brakes it isn't an issue and can't be done anyway.
IMO braking distribution should be varied according to road surface and conditions.
In wet or slippery conditions brake bias should be towards the rear, use less front brake, it's far easier to recover from a rear lockup than a front one.

[Deeping]

I will use the rear only brake if realise that I have approached / arrived at a bend with too much vigour. Front brake makes the front end dip then it’s not as stable through the corner. This normally happens when out in a group of motorcycles along twisty bits when I am showing of as it were.
Yes I know it’s wrong and childish to show the motorcycles up – still fun though.

[Funkycowie]

I touch front brake first at about 10%, then the rear to about 30% and increase both at an equal rate in the dry then vary dependent on how the road feels, on Ice/snow I touch both brakes but never squeeze.

[irev]

The only variation from normal motorcycle use is to use a bit of back brake to balance throttle at very low speeds to enable the clutch to stay engaged while performing tight turns.

Otherwise the standard braking techniques apply. modified in exactly the same way you would to cater for the differences between say, a spurtbike and a cruiser.

If we have to explain those differences or how they might apply to your individual scooter situation, then you need to take professional training, not advice from a forum. Certainly the notion that it is preferable to use the back brake in place of the front to steady yourself into a bend suggests that you need further or refresher training. What steadies you into a bend is throttle, not brake. If you aren't braking correctly and entering the bend on a steady-state or opening throttle, you need to take professional training, not advice from a forum.

And I say the above as a professionally-qualified trainer, not as a member of this forum...

[SOLO]

Riding a motorbike and a scooter i have found braking as been almost same on both to me, i use front brake as that's were all the force is, and then apply back brake abit to limit front end drive. just my input. If i brake on a bend, i never! use the front brake, always alittle bit of back brake.

[Gerard C]

He only asked a question! Braking is varied as each situation arises. It seems to me that if your going into a bend and you've overcooked it slightly a light touch of rear brake is perfectly acceptable. Or at least it is according to my Mates in the IAM. However we all have to develop the feel for using both brakes in circumstances where it is needed. My Burgman 650 has pretty good engine braking but if I need a little more to slow me then I use a light touch of back brake. But - when I do have to use it, I kick myelf for poor observation of the bend on approach. We are all human and I have been out with some very highly qualified and experienced riders who do exactly the same thing.

If anyone is interested theres some good sections on braking and acceleration in Road Craft which is the Police riders Handbook or Be a better rider from the IAM. Oh and a good explanation of positive steering which is worth looking at if yuo do end up in a sticky situation.

[Data]

Brakes??...what are those!