njnear
06-03-2007, 09:09 PM
Like most of us, I work hard on improving my riding skills, driving aware and being safe. One of my practices is to keep the front brake "covered" so that I don't take that extra second if an emergency situation arises and eat up an additional 88' of pavement (at 60 mph). That brings up another subject.
I understand the reasoning of making all motorcycles with the controls identical, regardless of make. Right hand throttle and front brake, left hand clutch, etc. But with the advent of integrated brakes I would suggest a change. Right foot integrated brakes, right hand rear brake. That is, reverse the role of the 2 brake levers.
My logic comes from the fact that my right hand is required to do 2 jobs and at times, such as an emergency, the work load my right foot could react quicker. While dialing off engine power with the right hand, the right foot could simultaneously be hitting the binders. It would give all for limbs some type of duty instead of working the right hand overtime. The current set up requires some amount of fingers over the front brake, thus losing some command of steering and/or throttle. Ergo, neither job is performed at 100% capacity.
Not to mention, the force your right hand can place on the brake lever can't compare to the right foot and we wouldn't need any power assist. As an added benefit, the rear brake lever could/would always be covered (unless you ride a cruiser such as HD).
On a side note, although I suggest this for integrated brakes, my Concours very rarely sees the rear brake applied. Only in slippery situations or more "urgent" stopping requirements.
That's all I have to say about that.
I understand the reasoning of making all motorcycles with the controls identical, regardless of make. Right hand throttle and front brake, left hand clutch, etc. But with the advent of integrated brakes I would suggest a change. Right foot integrated brakes, right hand rear brake. That is, reverse the role of the 2 brake levers.
My logic comes from the fact that my right hand is required to do 2 jobs and at times, such as an emergency, the work load my right foot could react quicker. While dialing off engine power with the right hand, the right foot could simultaneously be hitting the binders. It would give all for limbs some type of duty instead of working the right hand overtime. The current set up requires some amount of fingers over the front brake, thus losing some command of steering and/or throttle. Ergo, neither job is performed at 100% capacity.
Not to mention, the force your right hand can place on the brake lever can't compare to the right foot and we wouldn't need any power assist. As an added benefit, the rear brake lever could/would always be covered (unless you ride a cruiser such as HD).
On a side note, although I suggest this for integrated brakes, my Concours very rarely sees the rear brake applied. Only in slippery situations or more "urgent" stopping requirements.
That's all I have to say about that.