> Crucially, though, remember to always use the front one.
This. However, many cheaper bikes have a weird-feeling front brake, so I can understand how beginner bikers may be somewhat apprehensive to use it. But to your point, this is why it's so important that riders get in the habit of using it in non-critical circumstances, so that they learn how the bike behaves.
On a separate note, I do find the rear brake useful on automatic bikes [0], in that it feels closer to slightly disengaging the clutch than the front brake does. Of course, I'm talking very slow speeds here, and realize this isn't particularly common.
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[0] I'm talking about Honda's DCT, so bikes with actual clutches and gears, as opposed to a CVT.
This. However, many cheaper bikes have a weird-feeling front brake, so I can understand how beginner bikers may be somewhat apprehensive to use it. But to your point, this is why it's so important that riders get in the habit of using it in non-critical circumstances, so that they learn how the bike behaves.
On a separate note, I do find the rear brake useful on automatic bikes [0], in that it feels closer to slightly disengaging the clutch than the front brake does. Of course, I'm talking very slow speeds here, and realize this isn't particularly common.
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[0] I'm talking about Honda's DCT, so bikes with actual clutches and gears, as opposed to a CVT.