2018 Heritage brake system?
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Saskatchewan
2018 Heritage brake system?
I have a question regarding my ‘18 FLHCS brake system.
I understand that I have the ABS system on the front and rear brakes.... I purposefully tested the front on wet pavement and am comfortable with the system.
But.... per the dealership sales staff I understood the brakes are also linked, and was told linked regardless of front lever or rear pedal actuation. I thought I would read up on the system in the manual but unless I missed it, now think maybe the softails aren’t linked, rather only the touring chassis.
... so what is the story? ABS linked or ABS only.
I understand that I have the ABS system on the front and rear brakes.... I purposefully tested the front on wet pavement and am comfortable with the system.
But.... per the dealership sales staff I understood the brakes are also linked, and was told linked regardless of front lever or rear pedal actuation. I thought I would read up on the system in the manual but unless I missed it, now think maybe the softails aren’t linked, rather only the touring chassis.
... so what is the story? ABS linked or ABS only.
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From: Saskatchewan
Thanks for the info..... and wow that is some misinformation from the sales staff. I guess that’s why we are supposed to read the owner’s manual!!
I do find the brakes very strong and progressive. I use the front brake almost exclusively as with all my bikes, adding some rear brake only in situations when I need to stop quicker than first expected.
I do find the brakes very strong and progressive. I use the front brake almost exclusively as with all my bikes, adding some rear brake only in situations when I need to stop quicker than first expected.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Manitoba
Touring models have linked braking systems. So, I’m not going to tell you how to ride, it’s none of my business and you didn’t ask. But if my kid told me he only used the front brake, I’d knock him upside the head before he killed himself. That’s a great way to find yourself laying in the path of oncoming traffic.
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From: Saskatchewan
Yeah I’ve noticed the cruiser segment focuses a lot more on the rear brake? I have even had one buddy tell me he uses exclusively rear brake!
I’ve raced mountain, dirt and sport bikes for close to 40 years and the front brake is my friend. I bet you would really disapprove of me trail braking the front into the apex!
I’ve raced mountain, dirt and sport bikes for close to 40 years and the front brake is my friend. I bet you would really disapprove of me trail braking the front into the apex!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Knob Noster, MO
Touring models have linked braking systems. So, I’m not going to tell you how to ride, it’s none of my business and you didn’t ask. But if my kid told me he only used the front brake, I’d knock him upside the head before he killed himself. That’s a great way to find yourself laying in the path of oncoming traffic.
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: On the Big Blue marble
If I'm not mistaken, when I got my RGU with linked brakes, I received a DVD on brake correct usage for linked brakes.. Regardless, there's plenty of professional instruction videos on correct braking (I watched Motorman Jerry). The dealer info supplied was off as do not believe my 18FB has linked brakes.....
Last edited by uncle kebo; Jun 30, 2018 at 07:30 AM.
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Pardon me for hijacking my own thread but I found this interesting.....
Here is a link to a good and comprehensive study on emergency braking situations.
https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/ef...treet-survival
The part that surprised me is their stopping distances and results were almost as good for cruisers as sport bikes.
Using both brakes yielded a mean G force of .776 g
Front brake only almost as high at .711 g
Back brake only could only achieve .425 g
So, I guess what I take from this is if the back brake is your go to, ie first applied, this is “best practice”, but you must be prepared to almost simultaneously add in front brake to achieve acceptable stopping distances.
I have always used front brake first and added rear to settle the back in very aggressive braking. Exceptions being of course off road bikes where you are intentionally sliding the rear.
Here is a link to a good and comprehensive study on emergency braking situations.
https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/ef...treet-survival
The part that surprised me is their stopping distances and results were almost as good for cruisers as sport bikes.
Using both brakes yielded a mean G force of .776 g
Front brake only almost as high at .711 g
Back brake only could only achieve .425 g
So, I guess what I take from this is if the back brake is your go to, ie first applied, this is “best practice”, but you must be prepared to almost simultaneously add in front brake to achieve acceptable stopping distances.
I have always used front brake first and added rear to settle the back in very aggressive braking. Exceptions being of course off road bikes where you are intentionally sliding the rear.
Last edited by bailer; Jun 30, 2018 at 07:45 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 759
Likes: 456
From: Knob Noster, MO
Pardon me for hijacking my own thread but I found this interesting.....
Here is a link to a good and comprehensive study on emergency braking situations.
https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/ef...treet-survival
The part that surprised me is their stopping distances and results were almost as good for cruisers as sport bikes.
Using both brakes yielded a mean G force of .776 g
Front brake only almost as high at .711 g
Back brake only could only achieve .425 g
So, I guess what I take from this is if the back brake is your go to, ie first applied, this is “best practice”, but you must be prepared to almost simultaneously add in front brake to achieve acceptable stopping distances.
I have always used front brake first and added rear to settle the back in very aggressive braking. Exceptions being of course off road bikes where you are intentionally sliding the rear.
Here is a link to a good and comprehensive study on emergency braking situations.
https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/ef...treet-survival
The part that surprised me is their stopping distances and results were almost as good for cruisers as sport bikes.
Using both brakes yielded a mean G force of .776 g
Front brake only almost as high at .711 g
Back brake only could only achieve .425 g
So, I guess what I take from this is if the back brake is your go to, ie first applied, this is “best practice”, but you must be prepared to almost simultaneously add in front brake to achieve acceptable stopping distances.
I have always used front brake first and added rear to settle the back in very aggressive braking. Exceptions being of course off road bikes where you are intentionally sliding the rear.