[MIKE WI]

I was practicing my emergency braking and slowly getting more comfortable........head rushes every time!

How do I know what the limits of the front braking are?

Rear braking is easy, lock up is evident. Thats not hard to modulate on the STROM.

With out flipping over, what are the signs that the front brakes are at their limit?

 

[ononewheel]

Front suspension dive at the limits, rear wheel lifting, and front just starting to skid, that's my signs I'm nearing the limit.

Probably not going to stoppie the Strom easily but a front wheel washout is possible. I suppose if conditions were right you might be able to end over. I can get the rear to lift a bit though.

 

[fl_strom]

I do believe the definition of Maximum Braking is something like - "Stopping as quickly as possible without skidding either tire."

So, if you can't lock up the front tire, you really do not know where that limit is.

There is now a KB Fork Brace on my V-Strom. I noticed, not by choice, but by a non-attention paying driver, that there is a vast improvement in the feel of the bike when braking hard! No more of that "vague" feeling in the front end. Just nice smooth, hard, controlled stops! I'm happy with my upgrade.

Had a chance to play one day on the MSF training range with the 'Strom. I can stop the bike just as quick from 20 mph as I can one of the training bikes. It has a good feel to it when you stop it. Just continue to squeeze the brake lever as you bring the bike to a stop. Do not be afraid of bending the lever!

 

[ecujim]

How do I know what the limits of the front braking are?

With out flipping over, what are the signs that the front brakes are at their limit?

This is something that you have to find out, unfortunately to find the limit of the front brakes you have to exceed the limits.
You can lock up the front brakes just for a split second but don't ride it.

I was practicing emergency braking the other day and i found out that i can easily lockup the front tire and leave a skid mark about 4 feet long but i realized that was not an effective braking technique because i was grabbing the lever instead of squeezing the lever gradually but firmly. that was much better.

Also It IS very hard to modulate REAR brake when braking hard with the front brakes because the weight is transferred foward and the rear of the bike is lighter at that moment.

 

[MATTMAN]

When I switch to sonic springs and heavier fork oil, the breaking dive was cut significantly. However, I also able to lock up the front tire much more easily. The transfer of weight to the front tire happened much faster.

 

[sherm]

One some bikes I've had there is a rubbery feel to the handle bars just before lockup.