HD brakes in general
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
HD brakes in general
I was a long time supporter (40+ years) of HD until 2000, I then sold both bikes androde nothing until 2005. I then purchased the other Amercian bike which I rode until three months ago. I sold the bike as a matter of principal and purchased a 2005 Road King Custom. Since they like screwing the consumer and notgiving them a kiss afterwards once in awhile, I figured Hell, go back to HD at least they did kiss ya once in a while after screwing you.
So now that is out of the way, here is the question with a preface statement: The other Amercian bike had superior brakes to any other bike I have ever owned or rode. This 2005 RKquickly brought back memories as to how bad the brakes on a Harley really were/are.
Has anyone made any modifications to improve the brakeability of same. By this I mean caliper replacement etc. Not knowing the full history of the bike and not knowing if the pads have been replaced with a cheaper pad, it's hard for me to make an evaluation. I do know they generate more then the normal amount of brake dust.
Flushing and bleeding the brakes was done by me so I know it was done right. Theyjust appear soft and require what I consider a fair amount of pressure. This applies to both the dual brakes up front and the single brake in back.
I understand EBC makes a replacement called the red stuff and that's supposed to be the highest quality brake pad available today. I hate to pay $100 for pads and find that the calipers need to beof abetter quality.
Thanks
So now that is out of the way, here is the question with a preface statement: The other Amercian bike had superior brakes to any other bike I have ever owned or rode. This 2005 RKquickly brought back memories as to how bad the brakes on a Harley really were/are.
Has anyone made any modifications to improve the brakeability of same. By this I mean caliper replacement etc. Not knowing the full history of the bike and not knowing if the pads have been replaced with a cheaper pad, it's hard for me to make an evaluation. I do know they generate more then the normal amount of brake dust.
Flushing and bleeding the brakes was done by me so I know it was done right. Theyjust appear soft and require what I consider a fair amount of pressure. This applies to both the dual brakes up front and the single brake in back.
I understand EBC makes a replacement called the red stuff and that's supposed to be the highest quality brake pad available today. I hate to pay $100 for pads and find that the calipers need to beof abetter quality.
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From:
RE: HD brakes in general
I plan on doing a PM 6 piston upgrade on the front and a PM 4 piston sprotor on the rear of my ride. I agree that stock HD brakes suck *****. Between the light which could be easily replaced by a lightening bug and the brakes it's a little nerve racking at night sometimes. I'll be upgrading the headlight to an HID unit from Kury also.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: HD brakes in general
I have an 02 that I bought used with the PM calipers on it. This was the main reson I chose this bike. I have never owned a Harley with stock brakes but can imagine how they work if these PM's are considered to have better stopping pfwer. I replaced my pads last week and I have pretty decent stopping power conisdering the bike weighs so much. I would say get PM's if you are after better stopping. I have also read a lot about Lyndall brake pads. Lyndall
I am yet to try the Lyndall pads but they sound great. Dustless and great stopping power.
I am yet to try the Lyndall pads but they sound great. Dustless and great stopping power.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: HD brakes in general
I bought a 08 Street Glide and the brakes are WAY better than I would have thought.
The Brembo brakes had to take a little getting used to. They work NOW!
With these I can see why ABS is an option. Previously I could not see why you would want ABS.
Just Sayin...
The Brembo brakes had to take a little getting used to. They work NOW!
With these I can see why ABS is an option. Previously I could not see why you would want ABS.
Just Sayin...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
RE: HD brakes in general
Here are some general braking notes:
I have EBC Yellow Stuff pads on my Esprit, the vintage of which are known for having marginal brakes. The EBC Yellows are fantastic pads, but, as with all such pads, there is no free lunch. These have a little more dust than the OEM Toyota pads that were on there, but with the OEM pads, I would get about 3 stops from 100+MPH, and on that 4th try, there was nothing. As in, gosh, I kinda wish I had some brakes right about now. With the EBC Yellows, I ran a track day with no fade at all. The downside is that when they are cold, they don't stop that well and takes considerably more foot pressure. It takes a little bit of driving to get them up to temp. Not a whole lot, but enough so that you know that you aren't stopping as well as you should. The Yellows are not supposed to be that bad in this regard and I think the Reds are worse.
All braking occurs where the rubber meets the road. If you have enough brake clamping now to lock up both wheels, then you have enough braking. Stickier or wider tires would help you. Also, your HD probably has _a few_ pounds on your last bike, and that extra weight makes a big difference in trying to stop, all other things being equal. It's all about the physics. Are you complaining of fade, like I had with my Esprit? That's a heat management issue and going to a better pad may help. Having to squeeze too hard? A different master cylinder may help that, but I don't know if they make one with a smaller bore, and you would have to squeeze longer for the same volume (softer brake feel, but easier to modulate). A different caliper may help that also. Neither of those changes will effect the actual stopping of your bike provided that you can lock it up now, but may provide better leverage or a different feel.
I have EBC Yellow Stuff pads on my Esprit, the vintage of which are known for having marginal brakes. The EBC Yellows are fantastic pads, but, as with all such pads, there is no free lunch. These have a little more dust than the OEM Toyota pads that were on there, but with the OEM pads, I would get about 3 stops from 100+MPH, and on that 4th try, there was nothing. As in, gosh, I kinda wish I had some brakes right about now. With the EBC Yellows, I ran a track day with no fade at all. The downside is that when they are cold, they don't stop that well and takes considerably more foot pressure. It takes a little bit of driving to get them up to temp. Not a whole lot, but enough so that you know that you aren't stopping as well as you should. The Yellows are not supposed to be that bad in this regard and I think the Reds are worse.
All braking occurs where the rubber meets the road. If you have enough brake clamping now to lock up both wheels, then you have enough braking. Stickier or wider tires would help you. Also, your HD probably has _a few_ pounds on your last bike, and that extra weight makes a big difference in trying to stop, all other things being equal. It's all about the physics. Are you complaining of fade, like I had with my Esprit? That's a heat management issue and going to a better pad may help. Having to squeeze too hard? A different master cylinder may help that, but I don't know if they make one with a smaller bore, and you would have to squeeze longer for the same volume (softer brake feel, but easier to modulate). A different caliper may help that also. Neither of those changes will effect the actual stopping of your bike provided that you can lock it up now, but may provide better leverage or a different feel.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 7
From:
RE: HD brakes in general
As the Good Dr Stated, good pads make a great improvement.
Good Brake lines are a place to start, get the ones that are teflon lined.
Lyndall Racing has both pads and rotors to help upgrade the Bagger brake system
Brembo (which is stock on 08s) make great replacement but cost BIG $s. QTM is the distributer for Motorcycle Brembo Packages.
It will be interesting to see who (aftermarket) will make adapters to mount the 08 Brembo on previous year bikes.
Good Brake lines are a place to start, get the ones that are teflon lined.
Lyndall Racing has both pads and rotors to help upgrade the Bagger brake system
Brembo (which is stock on 08s) make great replacement but cost BIG $s. QTM is the distributer for Motorcycle Brembo Packages.
It will be interesting to see who (aftermarket) will make adapters to mount the 08 Brembo on previous year bikes.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From:
RE: HD brakes in general
The '05's are starting to get spongy brakes usually due to the brake lines getting softer. Go to braided lines - that'll really help. My '05 RK had excellent brakes, btw. The rear brake actually would slow you down, unlike a BMW's rear disk I had previously.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From:
RE: HD brakes in general
i have 07 road king front twin disc. i have no trouble stopping at high speeds. my bike reacts awesome. now i hear 08 have abs system.i guess they can stop even better that i.
[IMG]local://upfiles/43840/5E700F3FE7AC4D12BBDDB95FB84F5011.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/43840/5E700F3FE7AC4D12BBDDB95FB84F5011.jpg[/IMG]
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: HD brakes in general
ORIGINAL: goodole1
I was a long time supporter (40+ years) of HD until 2000, I then sold both bikes androde nothing until 2005. I then purchased the other Amercian bike which I rode until three months ago. I sold the bike as a matter of principal and purchased a 2005 Road King Custom. Since they like screwing the consumer and notgiving them a kiss afterwards once in awhile, I figured Hell, go back to HD at least they did kiss ya once in a while after screwing you.
So now that is out of the way, here is the question with a preface statement: The other Amercian bike had superior brakes to any other bike I have ever owned or rode. This 2005 RKquickly brought back memories as to how bad the brakes on a Harley really were/are.
Has anyone made any modifications to improve the brakeability of same. By this I mean caliper replacement etc. Not knowing the full history of the bike and not knowing if the pads have been replaced with a cheaper pad, it's hard for me to make an evaluation. I do know they generate more then the normal amount of brake dust.
Flushing and bleeding the brakes was done by me so I know it was done right. Theyjust appear soft and require what I consider a fair amount of pressure. This applies to both the dual brakes up front and the single brake in back.
I understand EBC makes a replacement called the red stuff and that's supposed to be the highest quality brake pad available today. I hate to pay $100 for pads and find that the calipers need to beof abetter quality.
Thanks
I was a long time supporter (40+ years) of HD until 2000, I then sold both bikes androde nothing until 2005. I then purchased the other Amercian bike which I rode until three months ago. I sold the bike as a matter of principal and purchased a 2005 Road King Custom. Since they like screwing the consumer and notgiving them a kiss afterwards once in awhile, I figured Hell, go back to HD at least they did kiss ya once in a while after screwing you.
So now that is out of the way, here is the question with a preface statement: The other Amercian bike had superior brakes to any other bike I have ever owned or rode. This 2005 RKquickly brought back memories as to how bad the brakes on a Harley really were/are.
Has anyone made any modifications to improve the brakeability of same. By this I mean caliper replacement etc. Not knowing the full history of the bike and not knowing if the pads have been replaced with a cheaper pad, it's hard for me to make an evaluation. I do know they generate more then the normal amount of brake dust.
Flushing and bleeding the brakes was done by me so I know it was done right. Theyjust appear soft and require what I consider a fair amount of pressure. This applies to both the dual brakes up front and the single brake in back.
I understand EBC makes a replacement called the red stuff and that's supposed to be the highest quality brake pad available today. I hate to pay $100 for pads and find that the calipers need to beof abetter quality.
Thanks
[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/E7A4BE84793440CE9E5B536830057BCE.jpg[/IMG]