If you bought a Ducati Monster, Supersport, or XDiavel in the past few years, you may have gotten hosed…rear brake hosed, that is.
Affecting 5,909 motorcycles, Ducati North America is recalling the Monster 797 (2017-2020), Monster 821 (2018-2020), Monster 1200 (2017-2020), Supersport (2017-2020), and XDiavel (2016-2020) models because their rear brake hose line may allow air into the braking system.
Sylvain Guintoli continues to make YouTube gold during the coronavirus lockdown, producing some great informational videos to help you when you get back on the race track.
Today’s edition sees the Frenchman breaking down how to use the rear brake on the race track.
Unlike Guintoli’s last installment, which was geared more towards beginning track riders, today Guinters tackles a pretty high-level topic for experienced track riders and racers, though we think riders of all skill levels will benefit from hearing it.
Honda still seems to be having trouble with the brakes on its venerable tourer, the Honda Goldwing, as Big Red is once again recalling the Goldwing for a rear brake that continues to drag after it has been applied and released.
This edition of the recall affects over 145,000 motorcycles, ranging in model years from 2001 to 2015. Three Goldwing variants are included in the recall: the GL1800, GL1800A, and GL1800B.
There is a weird phenomenon as one gains experience on a motorcycle in regards to the usage of the rear brake. As novice riders, we are taught to use the rear brake in conjunction with the front brake, and in rider training courses like the one put on by the MSF, this is a skill that is practiced out on the range. Out on the road, it is not uncommon then to see the rear brake light of a new rider dance with light, as a foot covering the rear brake toggles the brake light switch on and off.
As we progress and gain some more experience as motorcyclists, the trend is to stop using the rear brake entirely — relying solely on the front brake for our stopping needs. Go to enough track days and eventually you will see a motorcycle fail a tech inspection because the rider thought the rear brake was so unnecessary as to remove it completely from the machine — for the weight savings, of course.
As a rider’s skill set on a motorcycle improves though, a new love affair is found with the rear brake. Talk to any professional motorcycle racer about their rear brake, and you will begin to realize there is a huge role that the rear brake plays in bike stability, which at times makes no sense to a layman — something exemplified by Casey Stoner’s frequent use of the rear brake while also hard on the throttle.
Not quite diving that deep, Scott Russell (of Mr. Daytona fame) and Nick Ienatsch (of FasterSafer.com) explain why you should fall in love again with your rear brake, as well as giving some tips on how to modify your bike to get the most out of braking with both the front and rear tires. Enjoy!