Doing my DAS - use of rear brake pls

Hi all

I have just started doing my DAS after 4 years on a px125 (a scooter
with gears and clutch, etc).

My instructor has told me off for dragging the rear brake when doing
figure of eights. Also he says not to use it for moving off, other
than hill starts.

When I first did my CBT 5 years ago on a cg125 (msohpr) I was taught
figure of eights were all about constant revs, and changes to clutch
and rear brake to change speed.

Was also taught to hold bike on rear brake even on flat, find the
biting point, and move off with less and less rear brake pressure.

I'm learning, and keen to do so, I know a lot less than my instructor
clearly, but can anyone reassure me of the accepted use of the rear
brake please?

Many thanks

 

Thats utter codshit, of course you can use the back brake balanced against
clutch & throttle, it gives better low speed control.

I still use my right leg on the brake & left on the ground, just how i like
to do it, some do, some dont.

It's easy, as a learner to overuse the rear & not use the front at all, the
results will end in tears eventually.

It's surprising just how much speed you can shed through progressive heavy
front braking, most dont get anywhere near



--


Nige,

Land Rover 90
Yamaha R1
Range Rover Vogue

 

You of course also put it in neutral at traffic lights and do the
"Hendon Shuffle" prior to pulling off.

 

Thanks, that really helps me.

It's a shame you have to pay over £500 upfront, with no clue as to the
practices of the instructors.

I may be back with more uncertainties as the next two weeks unfold.

Thanks again

Will

 

Is that where you put both feet up whilst stationary?

 

Naaaa, i take my time & judge the lights

 

ITYF it's bike in neutral, feet down.

ISTBC though.

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I thought it was because in the old days they taught that one should
halt with the left foot down and the right foot on the brake.

One then had to put the right foot down and left foot up to select
first (|I can't recall if one was ever supposed to stop in neutral i
between).

Then there are hill starts...

The technique I was shown a few years ago by a police rider was to
brake to a halt and put the right foot down for preference, but
without being dogmatic[1] about it.

[1] cocking a leg at lamp posts is definitely frowned upon.

 

Doesn't concur with waht I was told when I DAS'd about 7 years ago.

U-turns (which were nearly my downfall) were done using a combination
of throttle control, clutch control and back brake control.

 

[of the Hendon Shuffle]

Gah. Thought everybody knew this. Pip's close, but here you go:

The Hendon Shuffle is the term for the method taught to Police
motorcyclists at Hendon Police College. Approaching a junction and
preparing to stop, the rider should be in first (or perhaps second)
gear. At the stop line, put the right foot to the ground and hold the
bike on the front brake (because the vehicle must always be under
positive control). Select neutral with the left foot.

Then here's part one of The Shuffle.

Once neutral is selected, put the left foot to the ground, transfer the
right foot to the rear brake and release the front brake, hold the bike
like that in a relaxed state until the time to move off.

Then there's part two of The Shuffle.

Take pressure on the front brake, release the rear brake and put the
right foot to the ground. Lift the left foot and select first gear.
At that point you're good to go, but if you want to be really good, put
the left foot back on the ground and take pressure on the rear brake
again and move off from there.

Plod, I believe, has always taught that the bike should be brought to a
halt on the back brake, as this enhances stability by obviating fork
dive. Further, moving off from the back brake is smoother and means
that the right hand is only doing one thing, being in control of the
throttle and not trying to balance brake release and throttle opening
at the same time.

It makes sense to me, although a lot of the time I come up to a stop on
the front brake with the clutch in, selecting first as I do so - then
hold on the front (risking pad material transfer, I know) with the
clutch in(1) and move off with hands only, juggling throttle on, brake
off and clutch release all at the same time. It must be damn difficult
for a newbie and lead to stalls and falls, IWT - much easier to break
it down as above, even if it does come across as a bit complex and
long-winded I can see the sense of it.


1. Defensive riding, see: if I'm in first gear, clutch in and either
foot down (camber-dependent shortarse, I am) then if something occurs
behind me I can give it beans, drop the clutch and **** off out of the
way of the rear-end torpedo, avoiding what happened to dwb that
afternoon.

 

Ditto. IAM don't worry about the rear brake, though.



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Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Excellent choice .

F

 

The examiner will give you a minor fault for dragging the rear brake if
you persistently move off with the brake light showing.

Don't get hung up on it - you're trying to learn to pass a test, and the
expertise of the instructor isn't necessarily to argue what is right but
just to teach you the right mindset to jump through the appropriate hoops.

 

Thanks, noted.

Will remember this, thank you.

 

Thanks, Galet - it's quite tatty now, but mechanics are bullet-proof.
I'm thinking of keeping it even if I get a proper bike, as for
£500-600 I have something to hack through London on.

I don't have a garage / shed, so are there any bikes I should /
shouldn't consider buying? My budget will be £1000-£2000. I was
thinking of maybe a TransAlp or Vstrom (if budget stretched) - someone
said Suzukis melt away in the weather though? Alternatively a
dualsport 250 or 400 (WR250R, DRZ400).

 

This is exactly what I do... I have a T5 classic for central London.

Ask the FOAK here and they will give you plenty of options !
Personally, I'd use a CB500/GS500/ER-5 for central London. How tall are
you? What do you plan to do with it?

F

 

5'11"

I don't really have a "need" for it. I have a car and scooter. I would
possibly commute instead of the scooter (10 miles from NW London to
Fulham) but more likely just for fun, until I decide if I'm suited to
a proper bike.

I'd definitely want something I could sling some soft panniers over
and get out of town for a weekend. And then possibly through Europe
(hence the TransAlp idea).

A pipe dream is to ride through Africa. But I'm not likely to use the
next bike I buy for this purpose.

CB500 is quiite likely, given the budget / that it's a first bike. I'm
doing my DAS on the GS500, and don't have a good vibe from it.

Will

 

Whatever you decide to buy it's probably better if you try it at
motorway speed (especially if you plan to travel).

Doh, I'm from Golders Green (Temple Fortune). I see an L-plated PX
on Templars Avenue, is that you ;-)?

A friend of mine has a BMW F650GS (the engine is 800cc), he has travelled
around Europe with his wife and a set of Givi panniers and he is really
happy with it. I tried it and I liked it, too.
But I'm afraid it's a bit over your budget...

F

 

The F650GS and the F800GS are different bikes - see the BMW web site.

 

What the **** is the point of that?