[Lt_Scout]

My 2010 GS has ABS and integrated back brake, when the front brake lever is pulled, the back brake is also applied. I can feel the brake pedal pull down away from my foot when I pull in the brake lever. It's my habit (from riding my KTM 4 stroke dirt bike) I tend to preload that back brake pedal a little bit when stopping and sometimes I use it. I haven't had any adverse response from my brake use, and I have had to employ emergency braking a couple times already😬 I'm curious what your thoughts are on back brake use with the GS. Any advice is welcome...

I'm talking about street riding here, not trail riding. I am yet to take this on gravel roads or any trails, but my plan is to turn off ABS and ride it much like my dirt bike. That is happening this weekend I hope.

Check it out, just had the Michelin Anakee Wild tires put on😎

 

[tic105]

I've had several bikes with linked brakes, including my 18 GS, and many more without. I do not alter my braking habits and have never had an issue - even during times of panic braking.

 

[BC Don]

Like tic105 says, I don't alter my braking habits other than with my Adventure boots I have less feel so I don't use the rear brake in stopping as much as I would on a normal street bike with my Touring boots.

 

[Lt_Scout]

I've had several bikes with linked brakes, including my 18 GS, and many more without. I do not alter my braking habits and have never had an issue - even during times of panic braking.

OK that's good to know, thanks!

 

[Lt_Scout]

Like tic105 says, I don't alter my braking habits other than with my Adventure boots I have less feel so I don't use the rear brake in stopping as much as I would on a normal street bike with my Touring boots.

Makes sense, I agree with that, you dont want that rear wheel locking up by accident wearing ADV boots

 

[Hogges]

Same here, I brake as if the link doesn’t exist, meaning most power to the front and maybe 20 or 30% to the rear. I can often feel it in the rear brake pedal when the linkage kicks in, so it’s nice to know it works.
However, when I am standing up while riding on gnarly unmaintained dirt road sections I often just rely on the front lever.

 

[Toter]

On the street I routinely use both front and rear brakes. Again it's habit from my years of riding. I do notice that when the front is applied first, the pedal for the rear requires less travel. This seems opposite of what you are describing, but your system may be different. Mine is a 14.

 

[italia]

Back brake? Off road, gravel, and downhill on really slippery surface only for me.

 

[Schneller]

Back brake? Off road, gravel, and downhill on really slippery surface only for me.

You nailed it. You gain no advantage by using the front and back brake together. The linked braking, ABS and ASC all work together to give you the shortest, most stable stopping distance using only the front brake lever. During heavy braking if you applied both front and back brake levers the ABS would activate to reduce the back brake pressure because the system is already applying the correct back brake pressure for the situation based on the wheel speed and ASC sensor readings. The back brake circuit is designed to operate independently of the front for the situations Italia described and for low speed maneuvering such as U-turns etc.

 

[woodsplitter]

My 2010 GS has ABS and integrated back brake, when the front brake lever is pulled, the back brake is also applied. I can feel the brake pedal pull down away from my foot when I pull in the brake lever. It's my habit (from riding my KTM 4 stroke dirt bike) I tend to preload that back brake pedal a little bit when stopping and sometimes I use it. I haven't had any adverse response from my brake use, and I have had to employ emergency braking a couple times already😬 I'm curious what your thoughts are on back brake use with the GS. Any advice is welcome...

I'm talking about street riding here, not trail riding. I am yet to take this on gravel roads or any trails, but my plan is to turn off ABS and ride it much like my dirt bike. That is happening this weekend I hope.

Check it out, just had the Michelin Anakee Wild tires put on😎

View attachment 33929

Your over thinking it , unless your riding very aggressively in the twisty paved roads . casual riding doesn't require much rear input.

just saying

 

[DirtDog]

I use mine 100% of the time 'cause I know if I use the front brakes I'll flip right over.

 

[JR543]

I use mine 100% of the time 'cause I know if I use the front brakes I'll flip right over.

yep

 

[Lt_Scout]

I use mine 100% of the time 'cause I know if I use the front brakes I'll flip right over.

So you use both front and back brakes, but you have ABS right? I don't think you would easily flip you over?

 

[Lt_Scout]

Your over thinking it , unless your riding very aggressively in the twisty paved roads . casual riding doesn't require much rear input.

just saying

This sums up how I feel about it after my own experience and what im learning here, and what the owner manual says.

 

[JR543]

So you use both front and back brakes, but you have ABS right? I don't think you would easily flip you over?

hint..that's subtle sarcasm

 

[DirtDog]

Nope no ABS, that's why I know I'd flip right over!

 

[Lt_Scout]

Nope no ABS, that's why I know I'd flip right over!

ok gotcha!

 

[DirtDog]

You know I'm kidding, right. It's an old Harley joke.

 

[Maturerider]

Brakes are for sissies 🙄.

 

[Single T]

My 2010 GS has ABS and integrated back brake, when the front brake lever is pulled, the back brake is also applied. I can feel the brake pedal pull down away from my foot when I pull in the brake lever. It's my habit (from riding my KTM 4 stroke dirt bike) I tend to preload that back brake pedal a little bit when stopping and sometimes I use it. I haven't had any adverse response from my brake use, and I have had to employ emergency braking a couple times already😬 I'm curious what your thoughts are on back brake use with the GS. Any advice is welcome...

I'm talking about street riding here, not trail riding. I am yet to take this on gravel roads or any trails, but my plan is to turn off ABS and ride it much like my dirt bike. That is happening this weekend I hope.

Check it out, just had the Michelin Anakee Wild tires put on😎

View attachment 33929

95% of my braking is rear. My 2014 GS has over 102,000 miles and have replaced the rear brake pads 5 times and the rotor once. The front are factory original.