Fuel for the Harley hate

[Map8]

Ok, I give in. Apparently there is nothing wrong with no front brake. I understood that the front brake was approximately 80-90% of the braking power, why remove that ability. I guess I was jealous dude was riding and I wasn't.

Maybe on a sportbike with short wheelbase and high center of gravity. Cruisers have long wheelbases and very low COG and have very effective braking. Research 60-0 (or 70-0 or 80-0, etc.) and you will see cruisers come close to sportbikes in stopping distance. Dual sports and dirt bikes also get a great deal of stopping power from the rear brake.

Back on topic, outside of flat track, I'd never ride a bike without a front brake but, depending on the bike, its not the handicap many people think it is.

 

[sicks]

I know it's a tracker.. But it's bein ridden on the street - even RSD and Leno are not infallible!

 

[KrustyKruser]

Maybe on a sportbike with short wheelbase and high center of gravity. Cruisers have long wheelbases and very low COG and have very effective braking. Research 60-0 (or 70-0 or 80-0, etc.) and you will see cruisers come close to sportbikes in stopping distance. Dual sports and dirt bikes also get a great deal of stopping power from the rear brake.

Back on topic, outside of flat track, I'd never ride a bike without a front brake but, depending on the bike, its not the handicap many people think it is.

But this was not some West Coast Choppers super long bike. This bike isn't much longer than my DUC 999. I am just thinking in a situation where dude has to panic stop because someone decides at last second to turn into I winery he will have limited his options.

 

[Map8]

But this was not some West Coast Choppers super long bike. This bike isn't much longer than my DUC 999. I am just thinking in a situation where dude has to panic stop because someone decides at last second to turn into I winery he will have limited his options.

I agree on the panic stop. Two brakes are better than one on street bikes for safety.

I'm not referring to customs. Stock cruisers right off the showroom floor have very good braking capacity compared to sportbikes.

 

[louemc]

I agree on the panic stop. Two brakes are better than one on street bikes for safety.

I'm not referring to customs. Stock cruisers right off the showroom floor have very good braking capacity compared to sportbikes.

This whole subject comes down to .... It takes the rider, to make it work.

Sure there is an monster percentage of Sport bike riders that Buy it Ride it.
Without learning how to ride/control it...

There seems to be even a larger percentage of Cruiser riders that don't even think a skill is needed. (or wear a decent helmet... They call a useless beannie helmet a helmet).

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Don't need a front brake, just lay 'er down if you get in trouble.

 

[oddfire]

Damn you guys,, don't you know that front brakes only get in the way when "you gots to lay it down"

I assume your referencing the lack of a front brake.

 

[Slabhappy]

Like they say "Never use the front you can flip right over the bars" LOL

 

[jumph4x]

Reminder to thread participants that "I did it" is considered empirical evidence and holds no water.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Reminder to thread participants that "I did it" is considered empirical evidence and holds no water.

It's the same anecdotal advice that comes from the "that's not okay" side.

The fact that it has been done for many many years, and continues to be done means that it's not a crime against humanity. I'm just over the arrogance that a ZX10 with handlebars is the only answer. If you want to ride a hanky ass chopper, buying a KTM will not accomplish that task. I have personally owned a bike much like pictured. It was a piece of shit, and I would not enjoy it now, but it served my purpose. Riding a bike like that will give you skills you can't learn on a Ninja 250. Every motorcycle can teach you something. Every discipline will improve your riding in every other discipline.
The guy who built that bike may be a dousche, he may not. But every one of those dumb ass trends comes from a place of performance improvement. Before there were Scott's dampers, we stretched forks and ran taller rims to stop headshake at high speeds. We de-tunneled tanks to add capacity when gas stations rationed stops. It may look stupid to you, but these mods all come from necessity at some point.

 

[FreeRyde]

I'm just over the arrogance that a ZX10 with handlebars is the only answer. .

But the question is... have you ridden a zx10r (or other liter bike) with damper and dirt bars?

Cause if you have... you'd understand. :laughing

 

[Surj]

Reminder to thread participants that "I did it" is considered empirical evidence and holds no water.

:facepalm False. It's absolutely proof that riding without a front brake is totally doable and while it's not for you and others jawing here, it's perfectly reasonable for others.

 

[louemc]

:facepalm False. It's absolutely proof that riding without a front brake is totally doable and while it's not for you and others jawing here, it's perfectly reasonable for others.

Totally doable till the Not doable arrives.

Dumbass that couldn't foresee, not doable is suddenly mangled or dead.

 

[Surj]

Totally doable till the Not doable arrives.

Dumbass that couldn't foresee, not doable is suddenly mangled or dead.

Dumbass is dumbass, Lou, front brake, rear brake, or no brake. My point stands.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Totally doable till the Not doable arrives.

Dumbass that couldn't foresee, not doable is suddenly mangled or dead.

Let me get this straight:

Mister "master of his own destiny" best rider in the world who says that ABS and TC are crutches at best and can never work as well as proper skills earned from dirt riding won't consider that a rider with proper skills and experience can safely ride a cruiser with no front brake? No one here is saying you can go fast or set speed records. You preach relentlessly that technology is over rated. You always preach the practice mantra.

Fact of the matter is that, while 2 brakes may stop faster than one, ABS can stop faster than 2 brakes with rider only. Where do you draw the line? You can't have it both ways. If a rider knows his machine, and rides within it's limitations, then there should be no question. If those limits are lower, the rider goes slower. Otherwise, hurry up and buy a BMW.

 

[Loki1000R]

BURN!!!!!!

:rofl

 

[louemc]

Let me get this straight:

Mister "master of his own destiny" best rider in the world who says that ABS and TC are crutches at best and can never work as well as proper skills earned from dirt riding won't consider that a rider with proper skills and experience can safely ride a cruiser with no front brake? No one here is saying you can go fast or set speed records. You preach relentlessly that technology is over rated. You always preach the practice mantra.

Fact of the matter is that, while 2 brakes may stop faster than one, ABS can stop faster than 2 brakes with rider only. Where do you draw the line? You can't have it both ways. If a rider knows his machine, and rides within it's limitations, then there should be no question. If those limits are lower, the rider goes slower. Otherwise, hurry up and buy a BMW.

You can't "get it straight" You don't think right, yet :afm199

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

You can't "get it straight" You don't think right, yet :afm199

Blah blah blah. You have no argument.

I generally respect your ideals, Lou. You have a reasonable philosophy. You're also so full of yourself that it's detrimental. You're quick to call out other riders' faults, maybe you should own one of yours.

Unless you really enjoy the taste of your own foot.

 

[gaius49]

My first bike arrived with a front 5 (or was it 6?) inch front drum brake operated by cable. The internals were sufficiently corroded that despite hours of adjustment, only one shoe at a time would engage, and it would not release once applied without pulling over, and using a wrench or a good kick. So in effect, I rode with an under sized rear drum and a one time use front brake. It was terrifying and dangerous and I really don't understand why anyone in their right mind would remove a functioning front brake from a street bike.

 

[louemc]

Blah blah blah. You have no argument.

I generally respect your ideals, Lou. You have a reasonable philosophy. You're also so full of yourself that it's detrimental. You're quick to call out other riders' faults, maybe you should own one of yours.

Unless you really enjoy the taste of your own foot.

In my perspective, You proved my post. :teeth