Don't forget to

[otherwise]

Don't forget to check those disc pads. I changed a rear tyre last week and noticed my rear pads were getting a bit close. I picked a new set up and was surprised just how much was worn off the originals. The set on the right have 9,000km on them and I'd say 1,000km more and I would've had metal to metal.

 

[DaveM]

This is something that can so easily be overlooked most of the time and is so important

 

[CarlS]

I check mine regularly. I am wear pads quicker on my Tiger than I do on the T100.

 

[Rocky]

Good advice
We have an annual vehicle inspection here, but I still keep my eye on them.

 

[otherwise]

My rear pads take a hammering as I'm big on trail breaking, been doing it since 40 years before I knew what trail breaking was.

I did stuff up once and let my Honda VTR1000 Firestorm get metal to metal, looked nasty but once new pads were fitted it worked OK.

So keep an eye on them.

 

[DaveM]

Funny now some would say you should never really use those rear breaks as you may have a lock up. The strange thing is I love my back breaks and have also always used them mostly

 

[avion]

aha! thanks for the reminder. I bought spare rears for my Tiger and must have hidden them somewhere coz I forgot all about them until now.
They must be down the metal too.

...

 

[hemibee]

After years on the dirt bikes, it's hard for me not to use the rear brake. I've been told by many to stay off of them because I may lock up the rear and not realize it. I've been riding long enough I know how much I can brake without locking the rear up and I usually only use them on the Tiger lightly.

 

[DaveM]

After years on the dirt bikes, it's hard for me not to use the rear brake. I've been told by many to stay off of them because I may lock up the rear and not realize it. I've been riding long enough I know how much I can brake without locking the rear up and I usually only use them on the Tiger lightly.

I think this is the one thing you learn to do well in the dirt using those back brakes. I am also not able to not use them. I will also use the gears to slow down and for some reason have more fear of the front slipping out than the back

 

[dazco]

Funny now some would say you should never really use those rear breaks as you may have a lock up. The strange thing is I love my back breaks and have also always used them mostly

You really should rely mostly on the front. I rely on the front and only use the back stabilize the bike, or to be more clear, to keep the bike's weight from putting too much force on the front tire. But using it a lot and even more than the front really can cause the rear to lock. But the problem is you may not realize it till it's too late because when you use it more than the front all the time, you are training your natural reflexes to go to that in an emergency stop. And thats when it WILL lock the rear so easily you will be shocked. I use the front much more, yet even then I locked the rear once in an emergency. Those speedys have a really strong rear brake, which IMO is not a good thing. I think all bikes rears should be weak to the point if you step hard on it they won't lock. A drum would IMO ideal ! But on the front you want state of the art.

In any case, be careful ! I really think it's much safer to use the fronts mostly, if for no other reason than so that you don't train your brain to slam on the rear in an emergency stop. I couldn't believe how easy my speedy's rear would lock. The Bird's is too strong too, but much reduced over the speedys and i gotta think they did that on purpose because the fronts are stronger than the speedys.

 

[otherwise]

I think like most of our threads we have moved off the early subject and that's fine but just to clear a point up. I mentioned being hard on rear brakes because of "trail breaking" that is lightly using your rear brakes all of the way around corners when riding hard. This is an additional method of fine tuning your line not anything to do with hard braking when trying to slowdown, actually trail braking is all about trying to go faster.

 

[hemibee]

You really should rely mostly on the front. I rely on the front and only use the back stabilize the bike, or to be more clear, to keep the bike's weight from putting too much force on the front tire. But using it a lot and even more than the front really can cause the rear to lock. But the problem is you may not realize it till it's too late because when you use it more than the front all the time, you are training your natural reflexes to go to that in an emergency stop. And thats when it WILL lock the rear so easily you will be shocked. I use the front much more, yet even then I locked the rear once in an emergency. Those speedys have a really strong rear brake, which IMO is not a good thing. I think all bikes rears should be weak to the point if you step hard on it they won't lock. A drum would IMO ideal ! But on the front you want state of the art.

In any case, be careful ! I really think it's much safer to use the fronts mostly, if for no other reason than so that you don't train your brain to slam on the rear in an emergency stop. I couldn't believe how easy my speedy's rear would lock. The Bird's is too strong too, but much reduced over the speedys and i gotta think they did that on purpose because the fronts are stronger than the speedys.

I do use my front the most, the back is supplementing the front. In the dirt it is used as Otherwise states . . . to increase your speed thru the corners and set up your line.

 

[Sea Dog]

I think like most of our threads we have moved off the early subject and that's fine but just to clear a point up. I mentioned being hard on rear brakes because of "trail breaking" that is lightly using your rear brakes all of the way around corners when riding hard. This is an additional method of fine tuning your line not anything to do with hard braking when trying to slowdown, actually trail braking is all about trying to go faster.

Use trail braking to tighten my line when really hooking in. Especially when you have a weapon like a Street Triple R to play with.

 

[keystiger]

I think like most of our threads we have moved off the early subject and that's fine but just to clear a point up. I mentioned being hard on rear brakes because of "trail breaking" that is lightly using your rear brakes all of the way around corners when riding hard. This is an additional method of fine tuning your line not anything to do with hard braking when trying to slowdown, actually trail braking is all about trying to go faster.

Totally got that.....and I to do the same Otherwise, also have a bad habit of "coasting" to stops with just the rear, from 100 ft. out or so from the stop, and using the rear to help balance in stop and go traffic..... I keep a spare set on the shelf at all times and check them regularly.