How is the front brake used while riding?

[MRSOUND]

I know this may sound like a stupid question, :confused:but i need to question the practical use of the front brake while on 3 wheels? I'm used to riding a street bike and know most of your braking power is in the front and used primarily for straight line braking only. After riding my 250 big red a few times (not done or completely "together") I'm finding out theres alot a lean, down shifting, and rear braking when negotiating any maneuvers and would seem to be detrimental to use the front brake other than straight line all out running. Right now all I have is a broken perch and cable with no lever on the handlebars or front hub. SO give me a good argument as to why I should or need to make my front brake functional?:wondering Bring it! want to hear both sides!:naughty:

[Xpress]

Front brakes help when entering corners. For example, if you're zipping around, and want to slip around a corner, pull the front brake when entering the turn, and then release and stand on the gas to slide the rear end out and slip around the turn. It also helps when climbing hills, because if you need to stop, it's best to use the front brake (when going up hill) to keep the bike from tumbling over backwards.

Couple both brakes, and you will find that the bike will stop on a dime.

For a utility trike though, my guess is it would be used for more stopping power, like when towing heavy loads and such.

I don't really use the rear brake when I'm standing though, it's in such a position that it's hard to hit when standing. That is where the front brake comes in.

[Dirtcrasher]

I use my front brake twice as often as the rear; It gets me out of trouble quick :D

[MRSOUND]

Xpress...hoping to do some trail & woods riding with some friends and their quads. won't have much "work" for it besides maybe pulling some mulch around. Is the BR considered more of a working machine than off road? It seems to have plenty of spunk and a fair suspension.
Dirtcrasher...Can you elaborate a little?

[hillbilly 200x]

I hardly ever use the back brakes on any of my bikes. When you use the front brake it was greater traction with the ground beacuse the weight of the bike is behind the front tire. When I use the back brakes it just locks up and slides on all of bikes

[MRSOUND]

I thought sure I read on one of the threads of someone literally taking their front brake perch off so as not o be tempted to use it? Not to take away from the answers I've gotten so far, they make sense, but just to play devils advocate what situations would you not want to use the front brakes as it could be detrimental? Just trying to be as informed as possible before I get myself into a bad scenario.

[Dirtcrasher]

Xpress...hoping to do some trail & woods riding with some friends and their quads. won't have much "work" for it besides maybe pulling some mulch around. Is the BR considered more of a working machine than off road? It seems to have plenty of spunk and a fair suspension.
Dirtcrasher...Can you elaborate a little?

IDK what your riding. A drum front brake fades and I was never a fan; Hence the reason my 250SX got a 200X front end and disc brake.

The front disc brake allows you to dive the nose into corners and power out. The front can be gently applied to slow you down because the force is towards the front, they don't lock up like a rear brake does so easily......

The problem is, some people NEVER use their front brake or clutch to ride faster. I don't have the best balance or talent in the world but I ride AOK :D

[kariutta]

brakes? who needs them, they only slow you down

[MRSOUND]

I am riding a 86 250es big red with front drum brakes..that are currently not usable in their current state

[InterceptorE309]

Hey all. I am sure you don't want to use it while going down a steep hill, like after a climb. There is a youtube video out there with a guy doing endos on a trike. I can't seem to find it but its out there. Just shows you how you can have a lot of control with the front break.

[RubberSalt]

I never use the front brakes... Mainly because i never have any, rear is good enough for me!!

Seriusly though, on my KLT, i do use the front brakes before going into corners.
On my 175, i use my hand brake that operates the rear 10 times more than my foot.
My honda.. all it has is rears.
My 125 - to slow to need brakes lol

Brakes are only good for dodging trees anyways.

[dksix]

Hey all. I am sure you don't want to use it while going down a steep hill, like after a climb. There is a youtube video out there with a guy doing endos on a trike. I can't seem to find it but its out there. Just shows you how you can have a lot of control with the front break.

Using back brakes only going down a steep hill will speed the bike up, when the rear starts sliding. You about have to use both brakes or coast down a hill.On 4 strokes you can use the engine too but an oil burner doesn't hold you back much. My riding back ground is mostly mountains/woods on 2 wheels and 2 strokes and maybe I'm doing it wrong but I use the brakes, throttle and clutch the same on 3 as I do on 2 wheels. I've always got 2 fingers on the clutch and 2 fingers on the front back

[Xpress]

Xpress...hoping to do some trail & woods riding with some friends and their quads. won't have much "work" for it besides maybe pulling some mulch around. Is the BR considered more of a working machine than off road? It seems to have plenty of spunk and a fair suspension.
Dirtcrasher...Can you elaborate a little?

It will work fine for what you want to use it for. The BigRed models are heavier trikes made for pulling or towing. It should have a high and low gearing.

[BiGDawG]

didn't realize how much i used my front break till i read this lol, really i don't use my breaks much at all only use the rear for going down hills and use the front lightly to slow down while on the road when coming up to turns other then that i usually coast to a stop

[MRSOUND]

Well I already have a new front brake cable and lever. Sounds like I need to pick up the perch and arm off the drum and make it functional. I guess next move is to post in the classifieds to see has them to get rid of! Thanks everyone!

[TatTooL23]

when riding i always use both. sometimes together, sometimes just one or the other. front brakes will stop u much better while going down steep hils and slow navigation down hill. i have been on many hills that u can lock up your back brakes and u STILL move very very quickly down the hill. so the fronts would allow u to control this and actually stop. just having more stopping power all together is a plus obviously. it also just distributes the load and wont wear out one or the other too fast. and if front or rear fails then u have the other to at least get home. just my 2 cents.

[zzmegad]

front brakes are the most important, they provide 80% of your stoping power, rear brakes just help assist the front brake in stopping the machine. the rears can be locked up if you want to skid. I agree a disc on the front would be a HUGE improvement. When going down a steep hill the front brake can still be used just dont slam on it. Just ride around and try out your brakes and youll learn how to use them quick. I think every factory manual ive read always says use both rear and front brakes at the same time which I think is a good method to follow.

[MRSOUND]

zzmegad....I knew that was the case for 2 wheels (still love riding my Harley) just wanted to make sure the same applied to 3 wheels without having disastrous results. I think my biggest adjustment from 2 to 3 wheels is having the rear brake lever on the left side of the bars. I found myself going for the "clutch" when shifting forgetting it's an auto clutch.

[MRSOUND]

Next order of business would be getting the correct parts to complete the front brake system. Looking at the service manual I downloaded (thanks monroemike!!) and a parts diagram online. looks like I need a lower arm, spring, an indicator along with the "barrel" to hold the cable and the cable adjusting wing nut. Is there anything else I'll need that I didn't mention?

[Deathrocket]

I haven't found a use for it yet lol