I've been trolling on the boards for a while now, very hepful info. I wanted to ask the guys who own or have ridden a sportbike if they felt a need to upgrade the brakes on their HD after purchasing. I own a Honda RC51 and am used to quicker stops, I know its a HD and its not supposed to stop like a SB but doesthe fatboybenefit from steel braded lines and better pads? TIA

 

I am sure the steel braided lines will help. Check out the Performance Machine website, as they offer brake upgrade systems for Harleys. They have an ad for a six piston caliper front that may help stopping distances.

 

While the brakes on a Harley do leave a 'bit' to be desired compared to many if not most of thebetter sport bikes.
Take heart in the fact that they are a lotbetter than they used to be and that's a fact. But you need to always remember that the averageSoftail or Dyna can be upwards of 200 lbs. heavier and its riding ontires that are not nearly assticky. You just can't stop that muchkenetic energy all that fast with those kind of built in handicaps.
Harley's brakes canbe improved on with better pads and rotors, Lyndell Racing Brakes makes an excellentset of upgrade pads, or if you have the bucks to spare, aftermarket calipers and rotors. Braided lines will help, as well asaftermarket calipers, and floating (two piece) rotors. But the Lyndell pads will probably get you the most stop for your buck the quickest.

 

Yep, I put the LRB Z-plus pads on. I like 'em because they are dustless.

 

I also come from years of riding only sport bikes and had learnedto use the Fat Boy brakes the hard way.My previous ride wasan '04ABS BMW RT1150.

The FB front brakes lock easy. I've locked my front tire several times andis losing thread more rapidly than my rear.I'll probably upgrade thepadsand lineswhen my bike is ready for new rubber.

Be safe and keep your distance. Just my 2 c.

 

I find that I use my back brake alot on the Harley and that helps pull it up,compared tohardly using it on my sports bikes.

 

I noticed a big difference with the steel braided lines.

 

I went from a 600RR to my Fatboy. The brakes suck comparred to my RR. It did help when went to steel braided lines.

 

Anyone know of a place to buy LRB Z-plus pads for the '07s?

 

The only place I know if is Lyndall itself

Check it out here; http://www.lyndallracingbrakes.com/products.htm