polished rotors????
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 5
From: near Buffalo, NY
My problem has always been too much brake, a habit I cannot seem to break. My accident back in 2004 was because I locked up the rear tire. I've done that numerous times since though I really practice staying away from the situation.
There is a You Tube video of a couple of baggers on the Dragon. I can hunt the link down if anyone is interested. They passed a car on a turn (nuts) and went straight over the edge (terrifying). I'm certain they both got on the brakes but had the same experience I had - rear locked.
I know this isn't an equipment issue and simply my lack of skill but I don't know what would happen if my brakes grabbed any better than stock.
There is a You Tube video of a couple of baggers on the Dragon. I can hunt the link down if anyone is interested. They passed a car on a turn (nuts) and went straight over the edge (terrifying). I'm certain they both got on the brakes but had the same experience I had - rear locked.
I know this isn't an equipment issue and simply my lack of skill but I don't know what would happen if my brakes grabbed any better than stock.
Get ore comfortable with your front brake. 90% of your stopping power comes from the front. Locking up the rear shows you are reliant on just the rear for braking, and ofcourse you;ll end up like that poor sap on youtube.
And no, you won't do cart wheels grabbing a hand full of the front..
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 1
From: Front Royal, VA
Get ore comfortable with your front brake. 90% of your stopping power comes from the front. Locking up the rear shows you are reliant on just the rear for braking, and ofcourse you;ll end up like that poor sap on youtube.
And no, you won't do cart wheels grabbing a hand full of the front..
And no, you won't do cart wheels grabbing a hand full of the front..
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Been there done that, but take my word for it. Locking up the front is a LOT worse.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Get ore comfortable with your front brake. 90% of your stopping power comes from the front. Locking up the rear shows you are reliant on just the rear for braking, and ofcourse you;ll end up like that poor sap on youtube.
And no, you won't do cart wheels grabbing a hand full of the front..
And no, you won't do cart wheels grabbing a hand full of the front..
I ahve chrome rotors that I jsut put on about 1000 miles ago and they stop fine as well. I use the Lyndall z pads too. Yes, the shiney will wear off where the pads make contact, but I am a chrome *****.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
I've got the Harley Classic Chrome polished rotors on my Sportster and the Harley Tear Drop polished rotors on my Deluxe. Both are floating rotors and the really make the chrome front and rear ends stand out. I went with Lyndall dustless brake pads to keep my custom wheels and rotors cleaner, which they do in comparison to the stock pads. My stopping distance had probably decreased a little as well...I highly recommend the look of polished rotors...with that said....start polishin' ;-)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
Only that two or three inch surface where the brake pad actually contacts the rotor. The rest of the rotor will still stay shiney and in my humble opinion still looks better than the dull stock rotors....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Where did you find chrome rotors? From the pic, they look just like the polished el cheapos I have on my bike.