We’ve been around many bike shows, ride-outs and the like and there’s no end of myths and stories about one aspect or riding or another that does the rounds every now and again. One of the more common stories we hear is about the front brake.
It seems that there are stll riders out there believing that the front brake is a lever to destruction that should never be touched, that it's dangerous to use and 'will make you crash.' Can that actually be true? Let’s take a quick look at this and hopefully not get too stuck in the science of it all.
What we are going to talk about is riding on the roads and at a basic level. We’re not discussing track days, racing or off-road braking skills each of which come with their own unique set of skills.
For new riders correct braking is an essential skill that they should master over time but even the more experienced can lose that skill level if they haven't been riding for a while. You might not completely forget how to use your brakes but you can have less confidence in them when you get back on the bike after a long break from riding (winter). Any time you get back on your bike after a long period you need to get a feel for the brakes again. Good braking means good control and good control means better peace of mind and more riding enjoyment.
Braking Myths
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