Detune rear disk brake?

[Mark Harrop]

I like to call the rear brake the "ejection seat lever" :twisted:

I've had a couple of spectacular high-sides while riding hard on my GS....mostly duking it out with newer bikes...enter curve too fast....use up all front brakes....tip-toe on the back...and BAM! Superman with a helmet and a cartwheeling bike coming after you!

Practice makes perfect :twisted:

entry...apex...exit...repeat

and don't forget your launch :twisted:

[Anonymous]

Update

Tried repositioning the lever lower but discovered you have to drop it to the next detent and that's too low. Meanwhile, I took a little spill and am having to focus my attention on the front brake til I get it back to normal.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=29758

I have gone to the books and found a good practice regime in Ienatch's Sport Riding Techniques I intend to pursue when the bike is going again.

[oldschoolGS]

The rear brake on any bike is overrated, all the weight is in front of it and its only real function is to contol wheelies if you indulge in such nonsense.

Seriously, If you are locking the rear on hard stops then you are not properly using the front brakes. Here is where 90% of your stopping ability lies. It does take nerve and disipline to approach front brake limits, but with practice you will gain confidence. Quality front rubber is essential-I never understood people who go cheap on tires-along with good pads and lines.
If you are properly using the front brakes the rear will not have enough weight on it to be effective anyway. Stop On, Ed.
1983 GS750ED

[Poot]

DO NOT FOLLOW THIS ADVICE BECAUSE IT COULD GET YOU KILLED OR SOMETHING.

Now that that's outta the way. :twisted: You could try removing your rear brake pedal for a couple weeks and retrain your brain to use the front only.

I did this for a while because one brake pad on the rear wore through to the metal. I pulled the pedal off to keep my disc in decent shape while I hunted for and purchased pads off of eBay. Needless to say, I use very little rear brake now, and never lock it up unless I want too. 8)

YMMV....

hahahah! this is funny. for a month or so, when I was riding in the rockies, I had no front brake. Talk about retraining~! I could go around corners, braking, switching, and whatnot smoothly. locking up the back brake at highway speeds really sucks though......its almost like skating, except that if you screw up, you (can) die.

poot

[duaneage]

CHeck the tire pressure on the rear. Improper pressure will change the footprint and may cause lockup. I ride a 82 gs650g and have no lockup problems. I use EBC pads all around and I am satisfied with the performance.

Adding air is a mistake. I would never solve one problem with another problem. There may be a problem with your master cylinder back there, perhaps changing the fluid may be in order.

my .02

[monte]

Brakes are my bag....professionally that is. I would warn against any reduction in efficiency, ie.> introduction of air in the system, lowering of the pedal, reducing contact material. If a weight difference was applied to the bike, such as a passenger, the reduced efficiency of the rear brake would become immediately hazardous. I am with the author that suggested a different coefficient of lining material, such as ebc. The harder material would require increased pedal effort without compromising safety. Monte

[Anonymous]

Today I changed the fluid thoroughly and the bike seems to have a little more play (shouldn't be air). I'll see how it works tomorrow. I tend to agree with the thinking of the last 2 posts. I'm new at this and taking it slow.