Braking while parking

2596 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Randy, Aug 7, 2004

BobG

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2004

When turning into a parking spot (at the mall for example) how should it be handled? There's generally not enough room to enter the spot w/o still being in the turn.

Duck walk the scoot in? Use rear brake only? Use both brakes? Something else?

My concern is that braking while turning at parking lot speed will result in a dropped scoot.

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JohnnyDeath

· #2 · Aug 5, 2004

I have yet to take my week old to the mall (fear of theft) but have both parked her at work, and wriggled between and around cars to get her into "bed" at night. I can generally keep the scoot in motion with small controlled bursts of thrust and/or duck walk her into tight spaces, similar to walking a cycle in the friction zone utilizing the clutch.

pauljo

· #3 · Aug 5, 2004

On most machines: light rear brake - and have your feet ready to deploy if needed. This is one reason I do NOT like linked brakes... Caution is always needed - most parking spaces have oil slicks from parked cars toward the middle front of the parking space.

allwalk

· #4 · Aug 5, 2004

Depending on how tight the situation is I usually use rear brake only if going in forwards and use the duck walk in if I back it in.

DonRich90

· #5 · Aug 6, 2004

While turning at slow (walking) speeds, don't use the front brake. To control your speed, just "drag" the rear brake while applying a little throttle.
Like allwalk said, if you have to back in, just "duckwalk" it backwards into the space. Remember, if you're uncomfortable trying to park anywhere under power, just put your feet down and "duckwalk" into the space (you can use a little throttle while doing this if it's too hard to push with your legs). Watch your footing while walking the bike so you don't slip on stones, oil, etc.
There's no rule that says you have to park under power with your feet on the floorboards. I'd much rather paddlewalk into a space than risk dropping the bike.
Oh, and if parking on a sloped surface, make sure you park with the front of the bike pointing uphill. It's much easier to pull out under power than have to be pushed out backwards.

pauljo

· #6 · Aug 6, 2004

DonRich90 said:
While turning at slow (walking) speeds, don't use the front brake. To control your speed, just "drag" the rear brake while applying a little throttle.

Can't do that on the 400... rear brake and front brake are linked...

DonRich90

· #7 · Aug 6, 2004

pauljo said:
Can't do that on the 400... rear brake and front brake are linked...

Ooooops - forgot about that! My Venture and Wings had the linked brakes and you really had to develop a sensitive foot on the brake pedal to keep from locking the front brake in slow manuvers. Most times when parking in tight areas it was best just to paddlewalk and use the throttle and clutch to control the speed of the bike.
I guess it's possible to develop a sensitive hand on the linked brake lever on a 400 to keep from locking the front at slow speed but it would take some practice. Any 400 riders have any comments?

Bleeder

· #8 · Aug 6, 2004

DonRich90 said:
pauljo said:

Can't do that on the 400... rear brake and front brake are linked...

Click to expand...

Any 400 riders have any comments?

Yes, just go out and do it. Use a little back / linked brake. No different than pulling into your driveway, a gas pump, ect.

Peace.

pauljo

· #9 · Aug 6, 2004

DonRich90 said:
Ooooops - forgot about that! My Venture and Wings had the linked brakes and you really had to develop a sensitive foot on the brake pedal to keep from locking the front brake in slow manuvers. Most times when parking in tight areas it was best just to paddlewalk and use the throttle and clutch to control the speed of the bike.

Ha! I had one of each also in the mid-eighties (Goldwing & Venture). I put 22,000 miles on the Wing in one year. The Venture was my favorite though, great engine & overall much sportier than the Wing. I was so mad at Yamaha when they dropped it from the line-up. I guess I hold a grudge because I've never bought another Yamaha. I rode that cruiser thing that they brought out later under the Venture name at a bike rally. Boring - most boring motorcycle I've ever ridden. They came to the rally with about 30 of those and NO other models. Dumb. They should stick to building pianos. Oh, did I say I don't like Yamaha much? :twisted:

Now that I've got that out of my system... I'll say that the linked brakes on both of those big tourers worked fine. Never really caused me any grief. But I'd rather not have them on my motorcycle or scooter. For an experienced rider, I don't consider them to hold any advantage over conventional brakes. And in this parking lot scenario, it is a disadvantage to have them.

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Bleeder

· #10 · Aug 6, 2004

Yes I agree linked brakes are a pain in situations where you want that back brake only in conjunction with the throttle/clutch "friction zone" where you can just craaaaaawwwwwwllllllll along. Like tight U turns.

Peace.

billmeek

· #11 · Aug 6, 2004

Bob,

You can (lightly) use the brakes while in slow speed turns. Just don't lock them up. I find it easier to just slow before the turn and keep the throttle open just enough to maintain thru the turn. Slow speed manuvering (<5 MPH) on the Burgman 400 is one of the the toughest things for me. I did much better on standard bike. If you are not comfortable turning at slow speed, by all means duck walk it in while in a traffic area. Find you an empty parking lot and practice away from other vehicles. I still take mine out every now and then and pratice some of the slow speed stuff from the MSF Basic Rider Course.

roy_ryall

· #12 · Aug 6, 2004

I think the linked brakes on the 400 are 30% front / 70% rear. With "light", low speed braking I do not believe there is enough presure on the front brake to be a problem.

Under normal parking lot situations, it would be unusual to be in oil slick while turning into a space, since the slicks are toward the front end on the space were the car engines are.

Of course, you should always be careful making low speed turns on any two wheel vehicle.

NormanB

· #13 · Aug 6, 2004

I have not experienced a problem with the combination brake on the 400, in a parking sit you are talking light use and you are not going to lock the front wheel in those circumstances.

As to oil slicks - look where you intend to travel.

Personally I park it by riding alongside my intended slot and sort of swoop half in and then out again so I am at 45 deg with my ass pointing at the gap, I then duckwalk and roll back in.

Bleeder

· #14 · Aug 6, 2004

NormanB said:
Personally I park it by riding alongside my intended slot and sort of swoop half in and then out again so I am at 45 deg with my ass pointing at the gap, I then duckwalk and roll back in.

Me too.

Peace.

Randy

· #15 · Aug 7, 2004

I have always understood linked breaks to mean when you pull in the left handle the rear brake comes on first, no front brake , as you apply more force then the rear brake starts to hold.

So light breaking in parking lot maneuvers will work

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