Walter takes in the View
Home FREE Newsletter Blog Forum FAQ Glossary / Dictionary Submissions About this Site

You CAN Ride a Bike
10 Ways to Be Safe
Latest Pictures

Most Popular:
Learn to Ride
10 Ways to Be Safe
Picture Galleries
Salvage Yards
Recalls
Women on Bikes
Seat Heights
Pics of the Week
Latest Pictures
Tattoos
Quizzes
Glossary/Dictionary
User Reviews
Road Tests
7 Things Bikers Know
10 Motorcycle Myths


How Does a Motorcycle Work?

Rear Disc Brakes

  • Most modern motorcycles have rear disc brakes. These brakes stop faster, wear longer, and won't fade as much. The rear disc brakes are controlled by the front brake pedal located on the right-hand side of the motorcycle just in front of the right foot peg.
  • Beginners often rely only on the rear brake since they can easily activate it using their right foot. Many have been erroneously taught that the front brake is to be avoided. However, you have to remember that most of the stopping power of a bike is in the front brake. Get used to using the front brake and the rear brake together. As you progress in your training, you will learn how to use both the front and rear brakes to make fast controlled stops. There are also other special situations where different uses of the front and rear brakes are required. When you attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) classes, these situations will be covered.
  • Since many beginners use the rear brake too much they often lock them up during panic situations and skid the rear tire. Please remember that if you find yourself in a rear wheel skid, DO NOT release the brake pedal. Ride it out. Releasing the pedal will often cause a high side incident where you will be thrown over the handlebars. This is the opposite of the advice given for a front-wheel skid with the front brake locked up. You need to know the difference between these two situations.

Click the following for more Motorcycle Parts

Left Side View View from the Seat
Left Side Engine Area View Right Side Engine Area View

Alphabetical List of ALL Motorcycle Parts

Walter's Books:
Click Picture for Walter F. Kern's
Kindle, Paperback, and Audible Books

More about motorcycles


Walter's Audiobooks:
© 2015 Walter F. Kern. All rights reserved.