NO BRAKES!!! okay okay...no rear brakes. Not quite as dramatic.

[Nottsbiker]

Wait... You mean to tell me my Ducati has a rear brake??!!!

Same here with my Aprilia - I swear Brembo had loads of scrap calipers kicking about they wanted rid of....

[Bill in OKC]

I think some people use the rear brake when doing a wheelie if you go a bit near or past the balance point - but I know that Harley gets a lot maybe most of their stopping power from the rear brake. 

[Skyshadow]

ANYTHING our rear brake can do, proper throttle control can also do!  I have yet to hear a reason to not take mine off. lol Think of the weight i would save. I believe I will do some stop tests next weekend to see the differences between A)front brake only, B)front and rear and C)front and down shifting. Just a simple distance test for 60-0.

I have talked to my buddy who races a Aprilla 250cc two stroke about it. He said he uses his rear brake when apexing out of a hard turn to stabilize the rear end while still on the throttle. But said he doesn't see a major use for it in street riding.

[Speeddog]

Depending on where you live, there's safety inspections that you won't pass without a rear brake.
So you won't get your tags....

Usually it's a requirement of a state Vehicle Code that a motorcycle has a rear brake.
So you could get a fix-it ticket.

Rear brake is very effective for holding a bike stopped on a hill.

If you *really* don't want your rear brake, box it up and send it to me, I'll pay shipping. 

[Skyshadow]

Haa, Thanks Speeddog.. so very helpful of you!

[monstermick58]

and the bonus is just pedal backwards and you have rear brakes 

HEY, HEY, HEY!!


        I had one of those (as a kid)








                                       Mmick

[DTR]

Since this thread has been all over the place and I (sincerely) believe I have something to add:
The early 2000 Aprilias were notorious for having a flacid rear brake: the solution, no shit, was to hang a weight off the rear brake lever overnight and - presto - good brake pressure in the morning. I didn't believe it so I had to try it myself and it actually worked when bleeding wouldn't. You don't have to believe me (it is kind of like a UFO story) but it has continued to work whenever I have the urge to have a functioning rear brake. word

As a MSF instructor, I've noticed the Harley (cruiser) riders in general don't like to use the front brake like a sport bike rider will. I have to coach many to trust that 70% of the stopping power on the tt125s they're riding is in the front.

Rear brakes come in handy when you find yourself no longer on the road and the grass/sand/gravel adds pucker to front brake application.

yawn.

[Howie]

Since this thread has been all over the place and I (sincerely) believe I have something to add:
The early 2000 Aprilias were notorious for having a flacid rear brake: the solution, no shit, was to hang a weight off the rear brake lever overnight and - presto - good brake pressure in the morning. I didn't believe it so I had to try it myself and it actually worked when bleeding wouldn't. You don't have to believe me (it is kind of like a UFO story) but it has continued to work whenever I have the urge to have a functioning rear brake. word

As a MSF instructor, I've noticed the Harley (cruiser) riders in general don't like to use the front brake like a sport bike rider will. I have to coach many to trust that 70% of the stopping power on the tt125s they're riding is in the front.

Rear brakes come in handy when you find yourself no longer on the road and the grass/sand/gravel adds pucker to front brake application.

yawn.

Yep, same concept as tying the front brake lever to the grip overnight.  In the applied position trapped air can escape through the open port.

[Skyshadow]

Rear brakes come in handy when you find yourself no longer on the road and the grass/sand/gravel adds pucker to front brake application.

Totally forgot about this fact... +1 for keeping the brake.