Reflex Braking System, do you like it?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
I knew this would come back on me as being the issue.
I have been riding motorcycles of one kind or another since I was 7, raced motocross for many years (but not any longer). I know how to modulate brakes. The linked brakes on this bike are too sensitive for my liking and I will find a way to change it. If that means taking it off, then that's what it will be.
Anyone know of a way to disable the linked system?
I have been riding motorcycles of one kind or another since I was 7, raced motocross for many years (but not any longer). I know how to modulate brakes. The linked brakes on this bike are too sensitive for my liking and I will find a way to change it. If that means taking it off, then that's what it will be.
Anyone know of a way to disable the linked system?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I owned a high performance car some years ago. Despite having two brake servos the foot brake required huge pressure, so much that I had to adjust the seat so I could apply it. Not surprisingly it made driving any other car difficult, because I got tuned into applying over 100 pounds of pedal pressure! You need to tune your fingers to adjust to your feather-weight brakes.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 352
Likes: 78
From: South Carolina
Changing other components besides the brakes is not an acceptable answer to me. Thank you for giving your opinion. Now, let us folks who don't like the system figure out a way to change it. Just because you think it's fine and you think we should get used to it does not hinder my desire to change it. Just like you didn't care for the wobble, or some other guy didn't like the front forks, you guys set out and found a way to make a change and you did it. That is all I'm doing here too.
So to recap, there ARE ways to make changes to the linked braking system.
1. Reprogram the BCM
2. Replace linked system with non-linked system
So to recap, there ARE ways to make changes to the linked braking system.
1. Reprogram the BCM
2. Replace linked system with non-linked system
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 63
From: westland Michigan
Changing other components besides the brakes is not an acceptable answer to me. Thank you for giving your opinion. Now, let us folks who don't like the system figure out a way to change it. Just because you think it's fine and you think we should get used to it does not hinder my desire to change it. Just like you didn't care for the wobble, or some other guy didn't like the front forks, you guys set out and found a way to make a change and you did it. That is all I'm doing here too.
So to recap, there ARE ways to make changes to the linked braking system.
1. Reprogram the BCM
2. Replace linked system with non-linked system
So to recap, there ARE ways to make changes to the linked braking system.
1. Reprogram the BCM
2. Replace linked system with non-linked system
Batman
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I stand by my earlier remarks. Also practice makes perfect. If as you claim the brakes are very sensitive then ride it a lot more and get used to it!
I owned a high performance car some years ago. Despite having two brake servos the foot brake required huge pressure, so much that I had to adjust the seat so I could apply it. Not surprisingly it made driving any other car difficult, because I got tuned into applying over 100 pounds of pedal pressure! You need to tune your fingers to adjust to your feather-weight brakes.
I owned a high performance car some years ago. Despite having two brake servos the foot brake required huge pressure, so much that I had to adjust the seat so I could apply it. Not surprisingly it made driving any other car difficult, because I got tuned into applying over 100 pounds of pedal pressure! You need to tune your fingers to adjust to your feather-weight brakes.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You're not alone in riding that long. Best of luck in your quest.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,802
Likes: 7,829
From: SE Louisiana
End Loser
I am having to assume at this point, with your experience, that your gripe comes with trail braking only. I bet most of the people here don't trail brake, or even know what it is. That is the only time I could imagine the system being an annoyance.
I come from sports bikes, where 90% of your braking is done with the front brake. I use the rear more on the King. Due to the weight bias there's increase effectiveness with the rear compares to sportier bikes. Still, I apply the front first and then the rear if I feel I need it. However, these are always STOPPING/SLOWING situations in everyday riding.
Trail braking is only used when trying to maximize corner speed, specifically entry speed. It is braking used in performance riding. I could see it being real bad if I was coming in hot, and wanted to scrub speed with the rear, and the bike applied the front for me. I would be real curious to see someone out testing a touring bike on a track, trying to trail brake at the near limit, seeing if they could get the linked system and ABS to fight each other to keep the front from washing out.
Obviously this doesn't apply to most riders, which I think is where the confused/negative input is coming from. So, do you not like the dive while you're braking in the twisties, or is there another specific instance where it causes you unpleasantries?
As for disabling it, if it uses the same plumbing as the ABS system and is totally computer controlled, I doubt there is an easy option. Maybe you can just swap the brains from a linked and non-linked bike?
I am having to assume at this point, with your experience, that your gripe comes with trail braking only. I bet most of the people here don't trail brake, or even know what it is. That is the only time I could imagine the system being an annoyance.
I come from sports bikes, where 90% of your braking is done with the front brake. I use the rear more on the King. Due to the weight bias there's increase effectiveness with the rear compares to sportier bikes. Still, I apply the front first and then the rear if I feel I need it. However, these are always STOPPING/SLOWING situations in everyday riding.
Trail braking is only used when trying to maximize corner speed, specifically entry speed. It is braking used in performance riding. I could see it being real bad if I was coming in hot, and wanted to scrub speed with the rear, and the bike applied the front for me. I would be real curious to see someone out testing a touring bike on a track, trying to trail brake at the near limit, seeing if they could get the linked system and ABS to fight each other to keep the front from washing out.
Obviously this doesn't apply to most riders, which I think is where the confused/negative input is coming from. So, do you not like the dive while you're braking in the twisties, or is there another specific instance where it causes you unpleasantries?
As for disabling it, if it uses the same plumbing as the ABS system and is totally computer controlled, I doubt there is an easy option. Maybe you can just swap the brains from a linked and non-linked bike?
The next day, the OL and I went out by ourselves and I hit some twisties to have some fun and rode the way we normally ride, well, both the suspension and braking department definitely lost some points.
I experienced exactly what kingmoocher stated, I trail brake when hauling azz if coming in a little hot, the damn computer would apply the front brake progressively harder the longer I tried to trail brake and not upset the bike, I always ended up over braking as it seemed to have a small delay when I first applied the brakes and when letting off.
I need the brakes to work exactly when I want and hard as I want, fronts or rear, the computers manipulation just screws me up.
It was hard to be smooth with the trail braking.
Maybe something I could get used to, maybe not.
Bottom line is it was aggravating to me,
I'd bet most people never ride hard enough for it to affect their riding style.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 2,858
From: Oklahoma
No one has mentioned the hydraulic lock malfunction becoming more common in Harley ABS units. I find the idea of totally losing a brake to be terrifying, but that's just me.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
Personally I love them, especially after I upgraded my front suspension. My opinion does not matter.
Trade in the bike for one without linked brakes. Simple