I am at work, and just finished having a conversation with a colleague that has recently purchased an early 90's era Honda Nighthawk. The fellow has had previous road riding experience (early 80's), and decided that since his skills were rusty, and his license had expired he would take a Provincial Motorcycle Defensive Driving Course. Sounds good right? Apparently, not so much. This guy was told by his instructors that the use of front brakes was bad. It would cause him to have "severe" (his words, not mine) nose dive, and lack of motorcycle control!! His course instructors taught a class of ~30 members to use the rear brakes exclusively, save under an emergency braking situation, where it would be 'ok' to use both brakes because you'll likely hit something anyways...
Now, I'm not bashing the Course instructors or the curriculum here, as I have not heard their side of the story, and it's a Provincially certified training institution, but the fellow I had the discussion with is a reliable guy, and not know for over-exaggeration... Perhaps he misunderstood somehow? Although, he does seem fairly strong in his conviction.
I asked him to logically explain to me why a motorcycle would have two rotors/calipers on the front wheel, and only one (or drum - in his case) on the rear, if "most of your braking power comes from the rear"? He told me that his instructor(s) told the course that the Front = 90%, Rear = 10% braking "myth" was for 80's era bikes, and that anyone saying different was wrong. Apparently, technology has evolved...
Needless to say I was shocked. I have explained to him the braking physics as best I could in one conversation, and then recommended to him some riding literature. We're going for a workplace group ride tomorrow, so I am going to attempt to 'convert' him at the rest stops... Hopefully I'll get through to him in the end, for his safety as well as everyone elses...
Now, I'm not bashing the Course instructors or the curriculum here, as I have not heard their side of the story, and it's a Provincially certified training institution, but the fellow I had the discussion with is a reliable guy, and not know for over-exaggeration... Perhaps he misunderstood somehow? Although, he does seem fairly strong in his conviction.
I asked him to logically explain to me why a motorcycle would have two rotors/calipers on the front wheel, and only one (or drum - in his case) on the rear, if "most of your braking power comes from the rear"? He told me that his instructor(s) told the course that the Front = 90%, Rear = 10% braking "myth" was for 80's era bikes, and that anyone saying different was wrong. Apparently, technology has evolved...
Needless to say I was shocked. I have explained to him the braking physics as best I could in one conversation, and then recommended to him some riding literature. We're going for a workplace group ride tomorrow, so I am going to attempt to 'convert' him at the rest stops... Hopefully I'll get through to him in the end, for his safety as well as everyone elses...