Brake Caliper Options?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 508
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From: California
Brake Caliper Options?
Pulled the trigger on a set of FXDLS mags and a dual disc setup for my Street Bob. Last piece of the puzzle is the calipers...want to see what options I have besides the stock HD & bagger Brembos while keeping to a budget. Thanks!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
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From: Philly Suburbs
All depends on what the "budget" is!
Although I'm running Tokico radial calipers, I honestly wasn't unhappy with the original factory 4-piston units. When my bike was stock, I thought is was one of the best stopping Harleys I've ridden. Although I was looking for improvement, a lot of my motivation for the swap came from the fact that the calipers were already sitting in my garage, I really enjoy messing with stuff on my bike, and I like having things that are personalized and different. I doubt you would be disappointed with the performance of a pair of factory 4-pots, properly bled and paired with the right pads and a set of braided lines.
In fact, I have a set in my garage...
Although I'm running Tokico radial calipers, I honestly wasn't unhappy with the original factory 4-piston units. When my bike was stock, I thought is was one of the best stopping Harleys I've ridden. Although I was looking for improvement, a lot of my motivation for the swap came from the fact that the calipers were already sitting in my garage, I really enjoy messing with stuff on my bike, and I like having things that are personalized and different. I doubt you would be disappointed with the performance of a pair of factory 4-pots, properly bled and paired with the right pads and a set of braided lines.
In fact, I have a set in my garage...
Kiss method. You will already need new rotor (s) if you didn't have a spoke mounted rotor. Grab a stock right caliper and switch both sets of pads to lyndall gold plus or extreme pads. Save some bacon... unless you dont care... then go HAM on brembros, brackets, pads, and all.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Using braided lines is probably the best bang for your buck option. I have switched to braided on every bike I've owned. Caliper choice is really whatever you think looks the best.
If you really want the front end to brake better and feel better under braking upgrade the front suspension. Even just a set of progressive springs for 80$ will be pretty noticeable.
If you really want the front end to brake better and feel better under braking upgrade the front suspension. Even just a set of progressive springs for 80$ will be pretty noticeable.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Using braided lines is probably the best bang for your buck option. I have switched to braided on every bike I've owned. Caliper choice is really whatever you think looks the best.
If you really want the front end to brake better and feel better under braking upgrade the front suspension. Even just a set of progressive springs for 80$ will be pretty noticeable.
If you really want the front end to brake better and feel better under braking upgrade the front suspension. Even just a set of progressive springs for 80$ will be pretty noticeable.
But that's just me...and I'm an outcast.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
I respectfully disagree. Braided lines would be my last piece to the braking puzzle. Weight transfer (technique, weight distribution, & suspension) 1st. Then fiction material (pads and rotors), then tires, then properly sized/designed and very rigid calipers, then lines.
But that's just me...and I'm an outcast.
But that's just me...and I'm an outcast.
At least that's my conclusion, and sometimes I'm an idiot!
I gotta disagree. Stainless lines don't flex and expand like rubber lines. When pressure is applied it goes where it should vs expanded lines. There is, as mentioned, more feedback as well.