Brake upgrade wanted
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Arkansas
I appreciate the feedback but I'm 99.9% sure that's not the problem. I just came off of a sport bike (gsx-r 750) and rode it even after getting the Harley and the difference is just night in day in acceleration and stopping power. I've talked to a lot of people who have ridden both sport bikes and Harleys and they all agree that the brakes on Harleys are lacking. They just are. I've read magazine reviews that say the same. I can stop the bike safely when I'm riding it alone and at moderate speeds but as soon as I crank it up or have a passenger, I have to give myself extra room to stop. I'll try the brake pads that have been mentioned earlier in the thread. Again, thanks for all of the feedback so far.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Marriottsville, MD
Iam coming off of a Z1000 and yea the HD brakes sux. I installed the EBC HH rated pads front and rear on my lowrider and it made a big difference but the HD still requires four fingers to brake and the Z1000 only one. I think HD does this on purpose because it acts like a poormans ABS keeping most of the regular HD crowd out of trouble. Iam going to have to pony up for a six piston caliper swap on the front sometime in the future to get my brakes where they should be. Maybe if you could dig up a master cylinder with a smaller piston that would work as well.
inthered
inthered
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
Holy smokes Travis, I can't believe you are actually criticising Harley cruiser brakes around here! (Sarcasm ahead)> Don't you know they are adequate, no need for confidence inspiring brakes. (Guys, this is from another web site for a big metric cruiser, where I post about pitiful Harley cruiser brakes on occasion and it drives a HDForum member here mad)
I sure no what you mean, though. The FAt Bob was the first big Harley I rode with TWO ACTUAL front brake discs, and with the braided steel brake lines, I am pleased with its braking performance. I do plan on those Lyndall pads however.
I sure no what you mean, though. The FAt Bob was the first big Harley I rode with TWO ACTUAL front brake discs, and with the braided steel brake lines, I am pleased with its braking performance. I do plan on those Lyndall pads however.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
I recently bought a '09 Street Bob and I like everything about it except I'm disappointed in the brakes on it. They just don't compare to any other bike (6 of them before this one) that I've owned. I'm wondering if I can improve on the braking of this bike without spending a fortune. Maybe upgraded pads or some kind other kind of mod to increase the stopping power of the bike. Thanks in advance for advice/input. 
You can change the lowers and use V-Rod lowers and still use your narrow triple trees and HD Brembo calipers and 300 mm rotors or you can use twin cam calipers (or type replacements) with 11 1/2" rotors with your stock spoke wheel.
Or just screw the whole thing and do this:
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
