Real world difference in stopping? Single vs dual
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
The biggest benefit you'll get is better head dissipation and possibly reduced lever pressure. There are a gazillion threads on here debating the pros/cons of dual rotors on HDs...and no definitive answers. YOU will know whether it's worth it for you. I think you can get huge improvements on the stock system by changing out the pads, lines, and maybe calipers. But the truth is that the standard Dyna single rotor is adequate for the majority of riders out there. I'd recommend trying to upgrade your existing brakes first, and if you're not satisfied with that, doing a conversion to duals. I think trading off the bike just to get another front disk is overkill...but that's just me...
ride bedded/ broken in bikes fxdb and fxdl.. same year... difference will be clear as day. noticed this during test rides while bike shopping
Last edited by cvaria; Mar 31, 2016 at 02:40 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
Of course two discs are better than one. I suppose it depends on your riding style as to whether it makes a difference.
I find I ride my Honda very differently to my Harley due to the fact it brakes so much better, and I have a fat Bob with two discs upfront.
I find I ride my Honda very differently to my Harley due to the fact it brakes so much better, and I have a fat Bob with two discs upfront.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 2
From: Seattle Area
I don't think 2 is automatically better than 1, but all else being equal, I don't think they'd add the second disc if they couldn't make use of it. I don't think there is a disadvantage of having too much braking assuming you have ABS.
I haven't ridden a Harley with ABS. My 2008 doesn't have it. I do know that my 2000 BMW R1100RT that has dual discs will stop much faster than my Harley. It's actually not even close, but I think its a function of completely different technology more than number of discs.
I haven't ridden a Harley with ABS. My 2008 doesn't have it. I do know that my 2000 BMW R1100RT that has dual discs will stop much faster than my Harley. It's actually not even close, but I think its a function of completely different technology more than number of discs.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 378
Likes: 152
From: Here
There was a test a year or so ago in Motorcyclist or Cycleworld where the Wideglide stopped from 30-0 and 60-0 in the same distance as a Honda CBR600RR....They couldn't believe it! Yes the HD had ABS
Your brakes are fine.
Your brakes are fine.
Last edited by crzoomb; Mar 31, 2016 at 04:53 PM.
same issue with my sporty prior to converting to dual disc. now stops on a dime.
there's opinions, then there's the truth. ... whole lotta opinion in this thread... xl1200r, xr1200r, xr1200x, 1200 sport, fxdx, fat bob, low rider, and low rider s have dual disk set ups just for show... they don't actually slow the bike down....................
Last edited by cvaria; Mar 31, 2016 at 07:57 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
I can't compare dual to single, but I have the same bike in ABS also and I can help u compare it to the best of the best.
I've ridden race bikes all my life that stop on a dime. I can tell you, the single disc ABS is very adequate. I've done emergency stops on the race bike many times and comparing it to this HOG, although the race bike is much better of course, I can tell you that I'm not disappointed at all with the single disc with ABS on our bikes.
You don't need to worry. Will dual be possibly better? sure everything helps of course. But I've done some emergency stops on this HOG with abs, and I can tell you that I have confidence in my bike right now and that's comparing a sport bike which is a bigger difference than any dual HOG setup.
Will I ever convert to dual? Possibly, but that's not a priority by any means considering I have confidence in the current braking setup.
I've ridden race bikes all my life that stop on a dime. I can tell you, the single disc ABS is very adequate. I've done emergency stops on the race bike many times and comparing it to this HOG, although the race bike is much better of course, I can tell you that I'm not disappointed at all with the single disc with ABS on our bikes.
You don't need to worry. Will dual be possibly better? sure everything helps of course. But I've done some emergency stops on this HOG with abs, and I can tell you that I have confidence in my bike right now and that's comparing a sport bike which is a bigger difference than any dual HOG setup.
Will I ever convert to dual? Possibly, but that's not a priority by any means considering I have confidence in the current braking setup.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
That might be somewhat true, if you were also doubling the tire traction (which you are not).
In most of our street riding scenarios, traction is what limits your stopping power, not brake power (if your brakes are working properly).
In most of our street riding scenarios, traction is what limits your stopping power, not brake power (if your brakes are working properly).
Last edited by Warp Factor; Mar 31, 2016 at 06:30 PM.
