Linked braking
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Harley seems to be dumbing-down their bikes just like the automotive industry. For example, one starts their new vehicle now and the lights are on constantly because the drivers are too stupid to be able to figure out when they're supposed to use them. Now Harley with the linked brakes...the riders are too stupid to be able to utilize the front and rear as they need on their own.
Thank all this on the education system dumbing-down every generation and making them conforming sheeple to the governments whims.
Thank all this on the education system dumbing-down every generation and making them conforming sheeple to the governments whims.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
When I was younger riding dirt bikes, linked brakes had a completely different meaning. It was when your front brake cable linked onto a tree branch and you immediately took a trip out the front door head first. 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 103
From: Massachusetts (NE)
FWIW - back in the olden days
My 1987 Yamaha Venture 1300 Tourer had linked braking.
When applying the rear foot brake it would engage the rear caliper and the left front caliper only (not the right front caliper) and the bike would come to a stop with NO tendency to pull either left or right, (and stand up perfectly straight at stop completion). I could pull up to stop signs just using my brake peddle and stop (perfectly) straight up.
This was stock OEM on all Venturers, also stock was electric anti-dive front forks which held the front forks up (about 50%) during braking, with a blow-by valve if you hit bumps or a pothole.
Both worked good - though I would have preferred not having it ... it did what it was designed to do
My 1987 Yamaha Venture 1300 Tourer had linked braking.
When applying the rear foot brake it would engage the rear caliper and the left front caliper only (not the right front caliper) and the bike would come to a stop with NO tendency to pull either left or right, (and stand up perfectly straight at stop completion). I could pull up to stop signs just using my brake peddle and stop (perfectly) straight up.
This was stock OEM on all Venturers, also stock was electric anti-dive front forks which held the front forks up (about 50%) during braking, with a blow-by valve if you hit bumps or a pothole.
Both worked good - though I would have preferred not having it ... it did what it was designed to do
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
lol.. for what it's worth... "trail braking" doesn't mean using just the rear brake.. it's means using both brakes and in some cases, the front brake.. as you lean in, or begin to counter steer in if you will.. toward the apex of the corner.. in other words.. trailing off the brakes as you make a steering change into a turn.. MotoGP guys, Superbike guys and most road racers will use "trail braking" to make faster steering changes.. especially since the front brake can load up the front suspension and help make the bike "dive in".. There's lots of info out there from folks like Freddie Spencer and Nick Ienatsch and such..
Cheers
Cheers
Dragging the rear brake through corners is also a valid riding technique, but trail braking it ain't.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
Burn outs on the 2014 models are done by placing your front wheel against a wall. Rev the motor to 3700 rpm and drop the clutch or should I say your newly fixed clutch.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
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I had linked brakes on a BMW R1200R I had. Their system is linked with the front brake lever only. Rear pedal, is rear brake only. It worked flawlessly and I liked it a lot. I wish I could retro fit a linked braking system on my '09 FLHX.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Rave reviews in my thread here:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-thoughts.html
Proper trail braking is done with the front brake only. Linked brakes don't really effect it too much, as I did it all the time on my BMW with linked brakes. The difference is all in how much lever you're using.....It's something you get used to.
Dragging the rear brake through corners is also a valid riding technique, but trail braking it ain't.
Dragging the rear brake through corners is also a valid riding technique, but trail braking it ain't.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/09/16...riding-skills/