2014 Sportsters Changes...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
All I want is a dual front disc setup with dual FOUR piston calipers like a race bike.
I came from streetbikes that you could stop easily with one finger on the front brake lever from 100mph in almost no time. I'm used to rear wheel lifting brake capacity.
The harley brakes are really my only true complaint about these bikes, its the ONE area where the new tech is hands down, exponentially better than the old tech.
I came from streetbikes that you could stop easily with one finger on the front brake lever from 100mph in almost no time. I'm used to rear wheel lifting brake capacity.
The harley brakes are really my only true complaint about these bikes, its the ONE area where the new tech is hands down, exponentially better than the old tech.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
They don't even need to "do work" on them, although I do appreciate that they are addressing braking.
All they need to do, is put these (without the gold touches, and dual disc for sure) onto the XL bikes and they will have the braking issue completely solved:
All they need to do, is put these (without the gold touches, and dual disc for sure) onto the XL bikes and they will have the braking issue completely solved:
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 292
From: Earth
Heck, even if they used the Brembo units and floating disks like they had on the '06 VRSCR Street Rod I had would be a great improvement. Those brakes worked very well on such a heavy bike. I'm pretty sure they still use those brakes on other models.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 933
Likes: 10
From: St Louis, MO
All 3 models use different triple trees. The 48 has unique fender, fork lowers & brace. The other 2 have interchangeable fenders.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
All they had to do with the brakes was to switch them to the XR calipers... parts already in their stock pile... anyway... good that ABS is an option. But these are not heavy bikes to begin with. ABS has saved me from my poor/lack of skills when braking on such a heavy beast... never had an oh-**** moment in the 48... and I hope I never do, lol...
The change on the wiring looks like a good idea.
The change on the wiring looks like a good idea.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
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Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 4
From: MI
The problem is sportster brakes are so good they lock up too easy.
ABS is a crutch for riders unwilling to learn how to ride before they hit the road.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
There is no braking issue. If sportster brakes were so poor that pulling them all the way in did not lock the tire up, then maybe there would be a problem.
The problem is sportster brakes are so good they lock up too easy.
ABS is a crutch for riders unwilling to learn how to ride before they hit the road.
The problem is sportster brakes are so good they lock up too easy.
ABS is a crutch for riders unwilling to learn how to ride before they hit the road.
Even vastly underpowered brakes like the ones the MoCo puts on the 883 models are capable of locking the front tire if you grab the brake BEFORE the weight of the bike loads onto the front tire.
The ONLY determiner of stopping power is braking distance from various speeds as per DOT testing guidelines.
I have a sport riding back ground, track days, and race instruction...Go hit up a serious riding forum where guys really know how to drag a knee, and tell them that "I can lock the front so my brakes are very powerful" and get laughed off the forum.