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Reflex linked braking system

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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 07:15 AM
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Default Reflex linked braking system

So i have a some miles on my 2018 street glide now thats new to me this year. Ive read about the linked brakes and ABS on here and on other forums as well as the manual but have a few questions. When i brake i still brake as i always have with both brakes as ive never had the linked brakes before so ive tried it out with single lever braking. when i grab the front brake alone i can definitely feel the front brake grab and it dives in the front and can actually feel my front brakes almost grinding a bit, not a bad grind but its almost time for new pads. When i use the back i dont feel that and the bike doesn't dive nearly as bad. Do the brakes link and apply power to the brakes where the lever is applied more? Meaning if i grab the front does the front get more braking power? I haven't tested my ABS yet but i have no codesand the ABS light flashes until i take off like its described in the manual.

I was going to put the bike on the lift and run it and apply the brakes but i won't be able to have the front wheel spinning fast enough.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 07:24 AM
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It's in the manual. It applies left front brake when you apply rear brakes at certain speeds. I can't remember speed right now

This is for linked braking that came about 10 years ago,not the traction control

 

Last edited by Rounders; Jun 6, 2024 at 07:25 AM.
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 07:32 AM
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From my 2019 FLHTP owners manual -

"Reflex Linked ABS is more responsive than conventional ABS and allows for more balanced front and rear braking under a wide variety of brake applications.
At speeds greater than 32–40 km/h (20–25 mph), the system dynamically adjusts the linking for the amount of brake applied as well as vehicle speed to achieve an optimized brake balance. The system provides more linking when the rider is applying heavier braking and reduces or eliminates linking for light braking and low speeds."

"NOTE
When applying both brakes, the rider may detect slight feedback in the front brake lever or rear brake pedal while the dynamic balancing occurs."

"When linked, applying the front brake lever alone causes the system to also dynamically apply an amount of braking to the rear. Applying the rear brake pedal alone causes the system to also apply an amount of braking to the left front caliper. When applying both brakes, the system attempts to dynamically balance braking across both the front and rear wheels.
At speeds less than 32–40 km/h (20–25 mph), the brakes are not linked so that low speed maneuverability is not adversely affected, such as when riding the motorcycle in a parking lot.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Goose_NC
From my 2019 FLHTP owners manual -

"Reflex Linked ABS is more responsive than conventional ABS and allows for more balanced front and rear braking under a wide variety of brake applications.
At speeds greater than 32–40 km/h (20–25 mph), the system dynamically adjusts the linking for the amount of brake applied as well as vehicle speed to achieve an optimized brake balance. The system provides more linking when the rider is applying heavier braking and reduces or eliminates linking for light braking and low speeds."

"NOTE
When applying both brakes, the rider may detect slight feedback in the front brake lever or rear brake pedal while the dynamic balancing occurs."

"When linked, applying the front brake lever alone causes the system to also dynamically apply an amount of braking to the rear. Applying the rear brake pedal alone causes the system to also apply an amount of braking to the left front caliper. When applying both brakes, the system attempts to dynamically balance braking across both the front and rear wheels.
At speeds less than 32–40 km/h (20–25 mph), the brakes are not linked so that low speed maneuverability is not adversely affected, such as when riding the motorcycle in a parking lot.
I did read this in my manual, it just seems like mine favors whatever brake im using. Like if im travelling at 80km/h and use the front brake there is noticeable front end dive, when i use just the rear that doesn't happen near as bad, so in that sense it almost feels and acts like a traditional braking system, if linked there should be no difference .
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by 07ntrain
I di Like if im travelling at 80km/h and use the front brake there is noticeable front end div .
Is in't that just what happens when you use front brakes? The front end goes down.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Rounders
Is in't that just what happens when you use front brakes? The front end goes down.
Yes, especially with a non-linked system and this is my question. There is noticeable front end dive when using the front brake at speed, but not near as much when using just the rear, if the brakes are truly linked then wouldnt the use of each brake alone cause the same reaction in the bike?
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 08:55 AM
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I could be wrong, but the way I interpret the Reflex Braking is not 100% of the other brake is applied in normal or hard braking. It says "dynamic" so I'm guessing a certain percentage is applied to the other brake and increases the harder you brake (when using only one lever) until the ABS comes on, unless you use both brakes.

I'm not sure if the Beemer or Wing has the same "dynamic".
 

Last edited by RKZen; Jun 6, 2024 at 08:56 AM.
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 09:42 AM
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As Goose_NC quoted from the manual: "The system provides more linking when the rider is applying heavier braking and reduces or eliminates linking for light braking and low speeds."

So for normal, day to day riding around, you won't see much cross linking taking place (if any). Just use the front and rear brakes as usual. It's during heavy braking that the nanny system cuts in.

 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 09:52 AM
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Key word is dynamic...
If you disconnect one front caliper, you're not going to nose dive as easily. If pushing the rear only applies 1 (one) front caliper, it's not going to react the same.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2024 | 10:01 AM
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Linked does not inherently mean symmetrical. I'm not at all surprised the system responds differently to application from the two different master cylinders. I've ridden other bikes with linked brakes, even have one right now. None of them were indifferent to which master cylinder I used.
 
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