when do you use your rear brake?

[blue tiger]

I'd probably use my rear more if ti actually felt like it did something. On my HD I use it for straight line low speed stops and such but on the monster...very rarely. I can feel it slowing things a bit but it doeasn't seem like it does much. I may try t a little more from some of the advice on this forum.

[somegirl]

I'd probably use my rear more if ti actually felt like it did something. On my HD I use it for straight line low speed stops and such but on the monster...very rarely. I can feel it slowing things a bit but it doeasn't seem like it does much. I may try t a little more from some of the advice on this forum.

Probably because of the difference in geometry and weight distribution between the Duc and the HD.

[FatguyRacer]

I use the rear brake exclusivly for slow speed manuvers under 15 mph. I never touch the front for anything slow. I use them both for slowing down and stopping.

[triangleforge]

I've gotten in the habit of tapping it three times fast before I start braking for a stoplight, especially if I fell like the car behind me is closer than I'd like or I otherwise really want them to be paying attention. Kinda like a cheapskate's version of a brake light flasher.

[Spidey]

I've gotten in the habit of tapping it three times fast before I start braking for a stoplight, especially if I fell like the car behind me is closer than I'd like or I otherwise really want them to be paying attention. Kinda like a cheapskate's version of a brake light flasher.

I do the same thing with my front.     Another time to do it is when you're stopped at a light, you're not between lanes, and a car is approaching from behind.

[Fresh Pants]

+1 on what most people use it for:

dirt/gravel
stop lights

I also use it to stop my rear wheel from spinning when I have it in a rear stand if it's running and I pop it in gear 

The rear brake on my KTM actually seems to do a lot, and I often use it when stopping. But the weight bias/geometry is very different from the monster, so braking characteristics are quite different too.

[woodyracing]

when I use the rear brake:
1. Riding on gravel/dirt
2. Pouring rain
3. intentionally locking the rear wheel

The rear brake is only "30% of a bikes stopping power" if your not using the front brake.  The more front brake you use, the less effective (and more unstable) using the rear brake becomes. 
FYI the  "30%" thing is based on the rear brake rotor being the smaller of 3 rotors on most bikes.  It doesn't take into account the actual forces at work when braking or the type of motorcycle.  The rear brake is immensely more effective on an 800lb cruiser with a lot of weight on the rear tire than it is on a sportbike or especially a bike like the Monster.  The short wheelbase, light weight, and more forward weighting make the rear brake virtually useless if your using the front brakes to their full potential.

[jagstang]

I use it for corner entry while downshifting hard.  Keeps the back end from spinning up.  If I had a thumb brake and could keep the ball of my right foot on the peg I'd use it more mid corner.  I may try a thumb brake sometime.

[r_ciao]

Thanks everyone for your input. [moto]

[Ducatista]

I use my rear brake when I've blown a corner at the track and stood it up to get in touch with my inner agriculturalist.  Seriously, though, if I'm riding through gravel, grass, or anything but pavement.  This does not apply if I am at speed on the street and hit a patch of something other than pavement.  I also use it when I'm using engine braking to activate the brake light. 

[moto-zen]

I use a lot my engine brake, though.

+1
I can almost come to a complete stop just by engine braking. However, I use both front and rear almost all of the time. It's just a habit I've developed. (MSF course just kinda reinfored it)