Are the rear brakes that bad?

[Shad0hawK]

And when you are braking, all the weight moves to the front wheel and little remains on the rear... which is why the rear brake is usually of little value (same with cars) for just plain stopping or slowing down quickly.

not all, unless you are doing a stoppie the back brake accounts for 20-30% of a bikes stopping power.

[Sea Level]

My perception is that part of the insensitivity of the rear brake, apart from the fact that it's got an inferiority complex, is that there is a lot of play from the top of it's travel to when it begins to provide any braking power. You really have to push the front of your foot down in an unnatural position to get it there. My solution was to attach a pedal plate over the rear brake lever, adding about a half-inch to it's at-rest height. It thusly requires less downward movement to take affect.

[booger]

My perception is that part of the insensitivity of the rear brake, apart from the fact that it's got an inferiority complex, is that there is a lot of play from the top of it's travel to when it begins to provide any braking power. You really have to push the front of your foot down in an unnatural position to get it there. My solution was to attach a pedal plate over the rear brake lever, adding about a half-inch to it's at-rest height. It thusly requires less downward movement to take affect.

I think this is the answer.  Do you happen to have a pic or description of how you mounted the plate?

Thanks

[maxtog]

not all, unless you are doing a stoppie the back brake accounts for 20-30% of a bikes stopping power.

True, I should have said "most" of the weight.

[Sea Level]

Sure, here are a couple below. It's just part of a set purchased from Pep Boys or Auto Zone, they have clamps underneath that attach to the stock brake pedal. Not only does it raise the height of the pedal, but it increases the area so it's easier to use while riding barefoot.   

[Tactical_Mik]

I think my rear brakes are much better than the fronts.  Of course I'm working through an issue.   

Seriously though, like mentioned previously, bleeding the rear caliper at both valves improved mine.  They aren't like the brakes that were on my BMW but I have been using the heck out of them lately and with a little more pressure they work as I would expect.

[mikeboileau]

I love golf.....

[mkorn]

i use my rear brake alot ... and it has improved a bunch ... or i have jsut gotten more used to how it works.

[Rawman]

Yep, the more you use it the better it beds in and bites.  I learned trail braking when I started riding, so it comes naturally to me and my rear brake can stop the bike no problem.

[vivo]

I have the un linked non abs 09 brakes and I love em... I don't like overly sensitive rear brakes as they are easier to lock in a panic. I think the balance of rear to front is exactly correct on my bike... The fronts do the bulk of stopping... I settle the bike with the rear and generally apply the rear slightly before fronts during normal stopping... perfect in my opinion...

hate my Guzzi Griso's rear brake because it's too sensitive... better that it be less effective than too effective

Vivo

[VirginiaJim]

I think my rear brakes are much better than the fronts.  Of course I'm working through an issue.   

Seriously though, like mentioned previously, bleeding the rear caliper at both valves improved mine.  They aren't like the brakes that were on my BMW but I have been using the heck out of them lately and with a little more pressure they work as I would expect.

We know about your issues...

[capt chaos]

There appears to have been a recall http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2009/january/19-25/jan2309-kawasaki-gtr1400-recall/

Also 2010/11 models have 2 settings depending on your riding mode.

[VirginiaJim]

That was just a shield to stop the gravelly bits from preventing the brake pedal to return to it's normal position.  If it doesn't return, the brakes stay actuated and net result is the caliper melting to the rotor.  Not sure of it's effectiveness as we've seen some bikes still have that problem even with the shield installed.