how to correctly use rear (left) and front (right) brakes

ascarano · Post by **ascarano** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 9:29 pm

hi,

i am a new owner of a buddy 50cc italia and am looking for a quick lesson on how to correctly use the brakes?

when do you use front vs rear vs both?
what about in rain?

thanks!
amy

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:05 pm

The short answer is to use them both, together.

Unlike a bicycle, where in certain circumstances there's some risk in using the front brake too hard and losing traction on the rear wheel (because the bike is so light, and top-heavy), that's not a concern on a scooter (whose weight is mostly down low in back). The front brake is the stronger one (both because of the physics of being on the front wheel and because Genuine puts the better brake there), and you shouldn't be afraid to use it.

In most circumstances, you should apply both brakes gradually. There's less chance of either wheel locking up that way, and it gives you a chance to see how effective the brakes are being as you slow down: if you're slowing down enough, keep them as they are; if not, squeeze harder; repeat analysis until stopped.

In an emergency where you don't have any time/space to spare, give the rear brake a full squeeze and focus on adjusting the front brake to get maximum stopping power without locking up.

As for rain (or gravel/sand/dirt), the main thing is to give yourself more time so you can slow down more gradually. If at all possible, don't try to brake and change direction at the same time. Even on dry, smooth, clean surfaces, try to do all the braking before you start turning, then accelerate as you go into the turn.

If you haven't taken a course in motorcycle safety (which you will shortly receive numerous recommendations to do

), and even if you have, I recommend practising your braking techniques (e.g. stopping hard, going into a turn, on wet pavement) in an empty parking lot, so you have a good feel for how the scooter handles them before you need them on the road.

ascarano · Post by **ascarano** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:17 pm

thank u so much for the info! i really appreciate it.
amy

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:52 pm

I'll add this, because I did it and I know I'm one of many: be very wary of 'grabbing' your front brake too hard. You'll drop the bike. A really good piece of advice my dealer gave me when I got my Buddy was to use only one or two fingers on the front brake until you get used to how powerful it actually is (I still panicked during a turn I was short for and lowsided on my first day because I grabbed- it's easy to do).

SuperCyclone.81 · Post by **SuperCyclone.81** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:06 pm

^ agreed, I usually apply my rear brake long before I need to stop and slowly squeeze on the front brake leaver until Im completely stopped.

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 11:50 pm

Out here in sunny Kalifornia you can skid the rear on some of the steep down hill grades if your are hard on the rear brakes but you can use some rear brake drag even through the sharp turns if you need it and are careful. Loose gravel is always a problem for front and back in these situations.

ascarano · Post by **ascarano** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:03 am

we live in center city, philadelphia, which is, well, totally flat and urban--not dirt or gravel. looks like the take home point: use rear at first and get used to front, as it is more powerful. then, when i am used to how they each work, i can safely choose which works best me for.

we got our scooter yesterday and my biggest fear was over-using the front brake and flipping it over. today, too, we tried to stop in the rain and skidded. wanted to make sure i was using it correctly.

thanks, all for the info!

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:42 am

Maybe not much loose dirt, but gravel will surprise you...it'll pop up any potholes or cracks in the road are formed. Unfortunately common anywhere roads are in need of repaving.

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:46 am

Slow first on the rear brake, the front brake will stop you, the rear brake will slow you down. If you are turning, less pressure is good, on any turn slow in, fast out is a good thing, fast being relative. Road surface is every thing, if your tire is skidding you are not using your brake efficiantly. Cheers R

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 1:11 am

ascarano wrote:we got our scooter yesterday and my biggest fear was over-using the front brake and flipping it over. today, too, we tried to stop in the rain and skidded. wanted to make sure i was using it correctly.

I think to successfully flip a 50cc using the front brake, you need to be driving down a cliff.

Even derestricted to go 40mph, and with a light rider, the back end is too heavy for that. And the front brake isn't that good.

But as you apparently discovered, you can lock up the front wheel, especially if it's slippery (rain, debris, leaves), which is why you want to ease into both brakes (and especially the front).

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 2:20 am

just mash down on both as hard as humanly possible. you'll stop for sure

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:37 am

I just can't get my head around using the rear brake as a primary brake. Guess it comes from years riding metric motorcycles, but I've always favored the front 70/30 on average. On a scooter they dynamics are different of course, but I dunno. It just works for me.

Then again, I'm also the guy who insists that front drum brakes on a P-series Vespa don't suck; The only thing that sucks is the rider's maintenance of the front drums if they're that bad. Yeah... they're nothing to write home about but they're OK. It's the front suspension that needs a definite upgrade if you're going to get the most out of those brakes.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 5:04 am

Remember, with the Buddy's anemic rear drum brake, you can apply equal pressure to both front and rear brake levers and you will in fact be getting 80/20 front to rear braking force. To get 50/50 braking force on a Buddy you would need to ease off the front brake a whole heck of a lot.

On any motorcycle or scooter, braking shifts the weight of the bike, its center of gravity, forward (kinetic energy). The front tire digs down into the pavement increasing its friction with the road (a good thing), the rear tire lightens and loses friction (not so good). So you absolutely do want stronger braking ability in the front. That is why every modern motorcycle and scooter made is set up this way. The rear brake, by the laws of physics alone, will always play a secondary role.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 3:26 pm

The answer to any question like this is "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. It'll blow your mind and maybe save your life.

Bb.

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 4:41 pm

I 've always used both breaks

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:35 pm

illnoise wrote:The answer to any question like this is "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. It'll blow your mind and maybe save your life.

Bb.

+1 Best money you'll ever spend on a book.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:52 pm

neotrotsky wrote:I just can't get my head around using the rear brake as a primary brake. Guess it comes from years riding metric motorcycles, but I've always favored the front 70/30 on average. On a scooter they dynamics are different of course, but I dunno. It just works for me.

Then again, I'm also the guy who insists that front drum brakes on a P-series Vespa don't suck; The only thing that sucks is the rider's maintenance of the front drums if they're that bad. Yeah... they're nothing to write home about but they're OK. It's the front suspension that needs a definite upgrade if you're going to get the most out of those brakes.

On a scooter, the rear brake seems to be more useful than on a motorcycle. I engage the front brake first of course, and then if my speed is to great for the front brake to compensate for, then I drag the rear brake and the scoot will stop. So the rear brake seems to be more effective on a scooter than on a motorcycle.

BUT:

My wife told me that at her MSF course, the instructor told her to use the rear brake primarily ......honestly, I would have liked to find that guy and rip his head off. The rear brake is worthless for stopping on a motorcycle, worthless and dangerous. The front brake is the brake that stops you. period. Here's how to use a front brake: gently squeeze the brake lever until you feel it bite, and then apply proper pressure to bring you to a stop. Your rear brake is used to settle the chassis and slow speed maneuvers (drag the rear brake to tighten a circle). On my motorcycles, I have set the rear brake to where it will barely engage at even maximum pressure.

So, on a scooter; rear brake is ok.... on a MC, worthless and dangerous (for stopping). But always engage your front brake first and then use the rear if you have to.

And this isn't just my opinion, it's every racer that has ever got on a track and actually uses the brakes in a brutal, life or death struggle at every corner they encounter.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:56 pm

Easy.

Keep it simple for a beginner.

Gently squeeze both brakes, every time, when you need to stop. GENTLY is the keyword. Practice in a parking lot or quiet side street (good luck finding either of those in Center City).

Have fun!

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:11 am

siobhan wrote:Easy.

Keep it simple for a beginner.

Gently squeeze both brakes, every time, when you need to stop. GENTLY is the keyword. Practice in a parking lot or quiet side street (good luck finding either of those in Center City).

Have fun!

While I, too, recommend Proficient Motorcycling, this is the answer I think is best as well!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:16 am

illnoise wrote:The answer to any question like this is "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough. It'll blow your mind and maybe save your life.

+1,000. Great book!

Personally, I am not a believer in always using the front brake...that is why I went down in the rain when a woman pulled out in front of me.

On a straightaway I use both; going around a corner or a curve in the road I lightly use the rear; in gravel I lightly use the rear.

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:20 pm

Personally, I am not a believer in always using the front brake...that is why I went down in the rain when a woman pulled out in front of me.

On a straightaway I use both; going around a corner or a curve in the road I lightly use the rear; in gravel I lightly use the rear.[/quote]

+1 And All That! R

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:58 pm

Yeah, you folks are correct about the different times to use which brake when, but you're are giving too much information for someone who is just beginning. She'll get there eventually as she gets more comfortable riding.

Think back to your first time on a scoot. Did you need to know that you should only use your rear brake when riding downhill on gravel? No. Keep it simple and the person will come back and ask for more information as her skills develop.

Uncle Groucho · Post by **Uncle Groucho** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:17 pm

Squeezing your left (rear) brake handle will also activate your brake light which will alert any cages behind you that they need to *slow down*! Giving it a couple of quick squeezes may get them off your bumper before a turn or let them know you're stopping...