Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, now in So Cal
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
ORIGINAL: asputin
floating rotors are great on sportbikes,on the track..you wont notice any difference on your bike on the street.dont waste your money...
floating rotors are great on sportbikes,on the track..you wont notice any difference on your bike on the street.dont waste your money...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
It wasn't completely obvious and was almost masked as a negative endorsement but if I read between the lines I see that not only do they improve braking performance, they also reduce vibration.
Here's a more direct assessment: I ride with a motorcop in my HOG chapter. He swears by them. He and his wife went down in an accident a couple years ago (car pulled out in front of them). He said he spent a lot of time doing the accident reconstruction and determined that he would have been able to stop in time to avoid the accident if he had floating rotors installed.
Certainly I'm here on the Internet where everything is true. And of course I can write anything I want because I am protected and empowered by this sense of anonymity hiding behind my keyboard and mouse provides. But I'm being honest when I say that I am relaying factual information. I also trust this man. He is an educated, intelligent police officer with over 25 years of riding experience. If he's telling me I can expect 50% greater stopping power using a free floating rotor over the stock one piece rotor, I'm inclined to believe him.
Besides, no one has ever said that free floating rotors REDUCE braking ability. And there aren't too many accessories you can add to your bike for $100-150 that add as much functional benefit as they do good looks. There is no negative here. It's win win.
Here's a more direct assessment: I ride with a motorcop in my HOG chapter. He swears by them. He and his wife went down in an accident a couple years ago (car pulled out in front of them). He said he spent a lot of time doing the accident reconstruction and determined that he would have been able to stop in time to avoid the accident if he had floating rotors installed.
Certainly I'm here on the Internet where everything is true. And of course I can write anything I want because I am protected and empowered by this sense of anonymity hiding behind my keyboard and mouse provides. But I'm being honest when I say that I am relaying factual information. I also trust this man. He is an educated, intelligent police officer with over 25 years of riding experience. If he's telling me I can expect 50% greater stopping power using a free floating rotor over the stock one piece rotor, I'm inclined to believe him.
Besides, no one has ever said that free floating rotors REDUCE braking ability. And there aren't too many accessories you can add to your bike for $100-150 that add as much functional benefit as they do good looks. There is no negative here. It's win win.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 5
From: Bellville, Tx
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
I can see an increase in braking power only if you go to a larger dia disc. The floating disc was developed to counteract slight warpage of the disc, giving smoother performance at max braking while entering corners. Works good at racing speeds and high speed twisty riding, but has little effect on straight line street braking.
They do look real trick though! More improvement can be had with stickier tires.
They do look real trick though! More improvement can be had with stickier tires.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
Harley stock rotors are as butt ugly as sin, and that's why I changed them.
For normal riding, floaters won't make any difference. What they do is dissipate heat 10 times better under heavy braking, which prevents warpage and brake fade. You'll probably never heat your brakes up that hot, unless you are stopping a lot of weight..
There is no stopping power difference under normal circumstances..
Stainless is stainless.....
For normal riding, floaters won't make any difference. What they do is dissipate heat 10 times better under heavy braking, which prevents warpage and brake fade. You'll probably never heat your brakes up that hot, unless you are stopping a lot of weight..
There is no stopping power difference under normal circumstances..
Stainless is stainless.....
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
There are two kinds of riders, those who simply press hard on the brakes and those you use a three finger pull (like sport bike riders). Full floating rotors are much better due to their ability to follow the pads and do not warp. The traditional style is ok if you use the single piston calipers. If you have modern diff. brake caliper the floating is the way to go.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, now in So Cal
RE: Floating rotors. Are they worth the effort ?
ORIGINAL: bensonjv
It wasn't completely obvious and was almost masked as a negative endorsement but if I read between the lines I see that not only do they improve braking performance, they also reduce vibration.
Here's a more direct assessment: I ride with a motorcop in my HOG chapter. He swears by them. He and his wife went down in an accident a couple years ago (car pulled out in front of them). He said he spent a lot of time doing the accident reconstruction and determined that he would have been able to stop in time to avoid the accident if he had floating rotors installed.
Certainly I'm here on the Internet where everything is true. And of course I can write anything I want because I am protected and empowered by this sense of anonymity hiding behind my keyboard and mouse provides. But I'm being honest when I say that I am relaying factual information. I also trust this man. He is an educated, intelligent police officer with over 25 years of riding experience. If he's telling me I can expect 50% greater stopping power using a free floating rotor over the stock one piece rotor, I'm inclined to believe him.
Besides, no one has ever said that free floating rotors REDUCE braking ability. And there aren't too many accessories you can add to your bike for $100-150 that add as much functional benefit as they do good looks. There is no negative here. It's win win.
It wasn't completely obvious and was almost masked as a negative endorsement but if I read between the lines I see that not only do they improve braking performance, they also reduce vibration.
Here's a more direct assessment: I ride with a motorcop in my HOG chapter. He swears by them. He and his wife went down in an accident a couple years ago (car pulled out in front of them). He said he spent a lot of time doing the accident reconstruction and determined that he would have been able to stop in time to avoid the accident if he had floating rotors installed.
Certainly I'm here on the Internet where everything is true. And of course I can write anything I want because I am protected and empowered by this sense of anonymity hiding behind my keyboard and mouse provides. But I'm being honest when I say that I am relaying factual information. I also trust this man. He is an educated, intelligent police officer with over 25 years of riding experience. If he's telling me I can expect 50% greater stopping power using a free floating rotor over the stock one piece rotor, I'm inclined to believe him.
Besides, no one has ever said that free floating rotors REDUCE braking ability. And there aren't too many accessories you can add to your bike for $100-150 that add as much functional benefit as they do good looks. There is no negative here. It's win win.
On this websitejust a little waydown is a snippet about floating rotors. You'll see the focus is on the vibration reduction because that's the most significantadvantage you'll get out of them. You can also read just above thathow rotor size does increase stopping power. Furthermore, near the bottom you can read about braided lines. It mentions that they don't bulge which means the only place the fluid can go is to the caliper piston. Again, I'm all for this modification....go for it!! I think you'll notice the difference in feel (and like it) and they look great!! Just don't let the placebo affect your judgement thinking they'll stop you faster. While you're at it, I'd still suggest braided lines.
http://www.carbibles.com/brake_bible.html
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