Use of cruising pegs - do they hamper brake reaction time?

[Screwtop]

I have installed a set of cruising pegs on my FLHX and I like them, but I sometimes feel uncomfortable using them because it seems that I would be unable to hit the rear brake fast enough in panic stop situations.

In motorcycling, split seconds count, and that's why alot of us cover the brake and clutch through intersections, keep our bikes in gear at traffic lights, etc. Even though I don't use the cruising pegs in congested traffic, I still get a bit nervous at highway speeds in the event a retread would fly off of the semi in front of me, or some critter runs out in front of me. Maybe I just have to get used to them. Any thoughts?

[ViennaHog]

Highway pegs= cruise speed. Primary brake is front, nuff time to get my right foot to the brake pedal.
Highway pegs = city riding, not for me.

[route66paul]

I couldn't say it any better.

[route66paul]

I couldn't say it any better.

you do have a front brake, that is what it is for.

[pirate50]

and practice, practice, practice. It's always better to know what's gonna happen before it happens.

Pirate

[Flyin Brian]

+1 on what Vienna Hog said. Rear brake is great if you are looking to skid... otherwise, not so much. If a re-tread alligator jumps out in front of you, run it over if you can't swerve out of the way. If a critter runs out in front of you, apologize as you run his ass over. I learned the hard way that the rear brake is a bad choice when you need to stop immediately.

The only time I use my rear brake is when I am sitting at a traffic light waiting for it to turn green, in gear, left leg down, right foot on brake, paying attention.

[Screwtop]

Thanks for the tips. I've always pretty much been taught to use both brakes, but I'm relatively new to Harley's (having always ridden sport touring bikes and dual sports that could stop on a dime w/ ABS). I know 80% of the stopping power is up front, but it's always been natural for me to just apply both.

[Nazzdak]

Hello-

Please keep in mind that if you do need to brake in an emergency, at a speed that is over, say, 20 mph, the rear brake is completely USELESS. It will lock up the rear wheel long before it brings the motor to a stop. Thus, it is far better to simply place your right foot on the rear brake each time you brake, and learn how to use the front brake to the maximum degree. With this in mind, here are some tips that should be of some help.

1. Go out to your garage and practice squeezing the front brake, while counting out loud, "one, one thousand". Don't jerk or grab it, SQUEEZE the front brake, with all four fingers, while counting, out loud, "one one thousand". If you have squeezed the lever to a full close before you have counted "one, one thousand" out loud, you are squeezing too much of the front brake, too fast.

2. Now go out and find an empty lot and practice this exercise at 20mph. It is extremely important that you cover the clutch and DOWNSHIFT into first gear while you brake. Thus, at the very least, get the bike into 2nd gear before you begin practicing. When you get comfortable at 20, increase your speed up to 25mph. When you get comfortable at 25, increase your speed up to 30mph and so on and so on...At 40mph, A Harley Davidson motorcycle can come to a complete stop in less than 69 feet. Make this your goal.

3. The next time you find yourself in a situation that requires immediate braking, say these two words to yourself, out loud, three times..
FRONT BRAKE! FRONT BRAKE! FRONT BRAKE!

4. If you want to see a video demonstration of this braking technique, click here >>>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bke4i...e=channel_page

good luck!
David

[Lady Godiva]

Originally Posted by ViennaHog

Highway pegs= cruise speed. Primary brake is front, nuff time to get my right foot to the brake pedal.
Highway pegs = city riding, not for me.

Ditto...

[uid100]

I switched to a touring bike within the last year and I live on my highway pegs. At first it was awkward getting used to not having my feet on the pegs, in the immediate vicinity of the forward controls, but if your feet are flat on the running boards, you are still lifting your foot to get to the brake. Driving in a cage, you are (probably) using your gas pedal foot to apply the brake and moving it as needed, in almost the exact motion from highway pegs to running board/brake position. Yes, I use both brakes pretty much every time, and yes, I prefer to keep my feet out in front and move them to the controls. Also, I found that using the heel shifter for up-shifting is much more natural if my feet are normally off the running boards.

City or Highway... it works for me.

[claydbal]

an emergency escape requires downshifting to third, or second. hard to do in a split second if feet are up on the hiway pegs. also, a controlled rear skid (rear steer) is not as imediate when riding the pegs. the delay CAn cause you your life. yep, on a long trip on interstate, i find my feet in neverland also, but have been reminded a few times that it can kill you quick.

[Mr Cujo]

Practice situational awareness. Listen to your training/gut/instincts.

This will keep you alive to the extent that you have practical control over.

Beyond that, you can't stop what's about to happen anyway, so just enjoy the ride my friend


.

[jpilone]

Of course there will be a delay when needing to use the rear brake with your foot on the highway pegs. But there's a reason they are called HIGHWAY pegs and not CITY pegs. Don't use them in the city, period.

It's not safe to use just the front brake in an emergency stop, you need the rear brake to to help in weight transfer to the front wheel as well, but you don't need to mash the rear brake, or it WILL lock up.

I've practice emergency braking. I've got it down pat. I grab the front with 4 fingers and pull in with a smooth and hard motion and moderate force on the rear brake while downshifting real fast in the process (I do it like instinct now) and if done right, I'll faintly chirp the back tire when downshifting, but come to a stop real quick.

And I've done it from 60mph, in an actual emergency, and my method prevented me from getting into an accident.

[rustywrench]

jpilone,
Well put................I too have practiced panic braking alot............from arund 20 mph to 100+mph.........it never hurts to be prepared. I have practiced enough that when I ordered my new Ultra last year I didn't opt for the antilock brakes. I felt there may come a time that I would need to lock the ass end up and kick it away from me.....but then I've spent a lot of time ridin in the dirt too. But I 100% agree with what youve said.

[Dave63]

Perception/reaction time is 1.5 seconds, less impairment. Putting your feet farther from the controls will certainly extend your time to get the rear brake applied.

There are times when highway pegs are fine, and times when not. Obviously, you don't use them tooling through town and traffic, like I see some guys do.

Use common sense, and as stated, practice panic stops.