Flowboy

An old thread now, but I found it, looking for something else, so others will! Only one answer mentions rear brake. The OP is concerned about floating feel of rear end at absolute max braking. This is quite normal, just watch MotoGP or wsbk. Obviously their set ups are top notch. Even classic racers can experience this with a good front end set up. However, using rear brake can help. I know many riders say that with their fantastic front discs, they never use the rear, but they should! If you use it just before you use the front, it lowers the rear, so when the front is applied the rear has further to travel before lifting, or nearly, off the track (which is as others have said, effectively what is happening) The rear gets so light, it wants to overtake the front & starts to rotate around the headstock**, exactly as Lnewqban describes. It helps to keep your weight further back as you get to the braking zone but obv. extreme front braking will make you slide forward. You will come off the rear before front is at max or a rear slide will occur as the rear rises. Supermoto riders have a technique that involves this slide inducing but it's outside this discussion. I don't get the relaxed arms in braking comment, certainly not on track. If your knee is moving out ready to lean you have to use arm, shoulder & core strength to brace yourself at your own & the bikes weight transfer. I always know I've had an arm etc workout at the start of the race season as I never brake like this on the road, it would be insane! But it's how top racers get arm pump. **If you have a bicycle you can see it for yourself. Stand next to bike, front brake full on, now try to push bike forward. The rear comes up & will move right or left, depending on small bar & lean inputs. Put a weight on the saddle or over the rear, (your imaginary arse😄) now try again. It takes more input before the rear rises. These kind of geometry effects are used by stunt riders.