BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

...you don't need to use the rear brake pedal...is that right?

I like rear brake in low-speed tight turning, for practicing in the MSF box and when waiting in traffic on a hill. Front lever for everything else — let the brake linking do the work.

That's right, it took me a while to get used to it, I only use the rear brake in slow speed conditions like parking lots and such and then the front brake lever for everything else.

Lates.

The same for me. I use the rear brake for low speed turns, especially if it is a tight turn in a confined space. I also use the rear brake, when stopped at an intersection, and when the bike is facing uphill.

I rely on the front brake, linked system so much that I would have to be careful if I ride another brand/model of bike than a BMW. That is probably not going to happen, since I like BMWs and would buy another one. If they ever produced the R1200C cruiser with the Hexhead engine, I would be first in line at the dealer.

I should have used the rear brake yesterday whilst going down a rocky road. My bad. Got to relearn what happens under minimal traction conditions, with movable terrain when you use the front brake. I should know better - rode dirty bikes for about a decade.

I tap the brake pedal when I want to flash my brake lights but not slow down.

Brakes on non ABS bikes are not linked, so I use it with the front

deilenberger wrote:I should have used the rear brake yesterday whilst going down a rocky road. My bad. Got to relearn what happens under minimal traction conditions, with movable terrain when you use the front brake. I should know better - rode dirty bikes for about a decade.

Photos ????

On some forum somewhere a rider mentioned that he dragged the rear brake just slightly when taking off from lights at intersections. His view was that showing his brake light just that little bit longer slowed the driver from directly behind. I've been nudged from behind whilst stationary at an intersection, so I have my doubts ..!

On the open road, I do occasionally tap the rear brake just to warn a rider behind that I'm washing off speed through a turn, even though I'm using the R's extraordinary engine braking to do the job. I've defnitely had non-R riders caught out coming in too hot from behind because they hadn't realised I'd slowed down!

Mine are conventional, non-ABS brakes. I only use the rear at walking pace and when downshifting from high speeds. I find it takes the stress out of the drive-train and allows much smoother downshifts. Just have to watch out for sudden engine braking when releasing clutch.

Tom