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Yeah, lots of physics involved with braking: weight transfer, COG, traction, etc. Look for "Physics of Racing" series of articles. While done for cars, braking equations are same for bikes.
Since bikes have shorter wheelbases and higher COG, they'll shift more weight to front-wheel than cars for same deceleration-G and will lift back wheel before you overcome traction limit of front tyre. Modern bikes are designed with tucked-in front wheel and engines pushed as far forward as possible. This puts more weight in front for braking, making sliding front tyre under braking almost impossible.
Older bikes from '80s and earlier had longer wheelbases and front wheel pushed way out in front. Makes front-tyre carry very little weight and have less traction. I had '88 RZ350 for many years; awesome engine, crappy frame and suspension. Front tyre was so far out in front with so little weigh, I could lock up front-tyre under braking with just 2-fingers! Boy that was scary bike to ride at limit!
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