Do your brakes work?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, IA
Do your brakes work?
I jokingly tell people that I have rear antilock brakes on my '09 Low Rider, mainly because I don't think I could lock them up if I stood on the pedal. The front works better, but not what I'd call great.
Is this common? Should it take that much pressure to feel like my brakes are doing anything?
Is this common? Should it take that much pressure to feel like my brakes are doing anything?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
Harley brakes basically suck. When I picked up my Bob I actually brought it back cuz I thought the rear brake was faulty........nope; thats how they build em apparently - LOL
Lots you can do to improve them though....better pads; upgraded rotors and calipers - its expensive but prolly worth it in the long run. I know quite a few guys that have put PM calipers and rotors on theirs and seem pretty happy.
Lots you can do to improve them though....better pads; upgraded rotors and calipers - its expensive but prolly worth it in the long run. I know quite a few guys that have put PM calipers and rotors on theirs and seem pretty happy.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Harley safety measure. You have to be plum moronic to tailgate with these brakes. So, Harley riders don't tailgate like the crotch rocket folks(other than the plum morons). Safety first LOL.
This is a joke... not calling anyone a moron.
This is a joke... not calling anyone a moron.
Last edited by rounder; Jul 27, 2009 at 12:41 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Colorado
I just got my Wide and thought the breaks were great compared to my '92 Virago. I have also noticed that the rear is almost worthless but the front seems pretty good. Do they make better pads or do you have to redo the calipers and everything to get the increased stopping power?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 1
From: Ashland Ore.
Ill look into braided lines. I did change to Lyndal Gold pads. Less dust but no really noticeable improvement in stopping.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Rear Brakes
My rear brake locks up in a heart beat if you hit it hard. It's OK though, I then use the front brake to stop quick.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 586
Likes: 48
From: Saint Augustine, FL
While on the subject of brakes - for those of you who've put on forward controls - maybe check the rear brake rod where it connects to the brake pedal once in awhile to be sure it's fastened down properly still...kinda sucks riding on the freeway and feeling a piece of metal flop onto your right toe, look down, and see your brake pedal just danglin in the breeze & the rod scraping into pavement...was praying it didn't "catch" and cause me to wipeout...was able to tie wrap it up to the frame till I got home. Not I gotta find a good nut & bolt combination to secure it back together - and of course, loctite (previous owner put the fwd controls on) and put a little black tough up on the parts the scraped on the pavement for a half mile or so...