Linked brakes - '14 touring - thoughts?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
Sounds good addition, but if reading correctly, if you apply brakes above 25 mph both brakes are applied, but below 25mph they work as normal.
So if coming to a controlled stop, both brakes would be on regardless, unless when you get below 25, you release and then re-apply, they then work independently.
Guess my concern if the above is correct, unless doing an emergency stop, I would never use the front brake to come to a stop. I would always release the front at around 10 mph and stop just with the back brake. So to maintain this, and take away the danger of the front wheel sliding away, you would have to train yourself to release brakes and then re-apply as you would without linked brakes!
Or have I got this wrong?
So if coming to a controlled stop, both brakes would be on regardless, unless when you get below 25, you release and then re-apply, they then work independently.
Guess my concern if the above is correct, unless doing an emergency stop, I would never use the front brake to come to a stop. I would always release the front at around 10 mph and stop just with the back brake. So to maintain this, and take away the danger of the front wheel sliding away, you would have to train yourself to release brakes and then re-apply as you would without linked brakes!
Or have I got this wrong?
As for never using the front brake lever, that's bad technique. Don't recommend anyone ever use only the rear brake, linked brakes or not.
The big advantage of the HD linked system (as compared to other linked systems) is in low speed maneuvers, where proper technique is to use steady throttle, with clutch friction point & rear brake to control turning speed. Think 1st gear, tight parking lots, u turns, that sort of thing. Not straight stops on the street for traffic lights or stop signs.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I love the braking on my Limited. I also rode BMWs for a few years with ABS, had 5 of them. As for the deer, guys, it ain't the fault of the deer when they jump out on to the road. It's the goverenments fault for requiring them to do so. Ever notice those signs they post with deer on them?? In PA the signs always show the deer jumping TOWARD the road for Petes sake. I say the signs should direct the deer to jump AWAY from the road. Damn deer is only trying to comply with the signs. :-)
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
I am a big fan of the linked brakes and ABS, it is one of the things that drove me to buy my 14 Limited. I first saw them when I was teaching the MSF course for the Navy. We rode our own bikes for the course. One of the exercises was "Controlling a Rear Wheel Skid", this was my favorite one to demo. Had a student with a BMW who told me he couldn't do the exercise because of his linked brakes and ABS. I told him to show me. He rode the course exactly like he should have, stomped on the rear brake and the bike just stopped. I was amazed. He let me ride it at lunch and I decided then and there that I wanted that on a Harley, it took 10 years but here it is. It's about time.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: UK
No. You're over thinking this. There is no need to release then reapply for normal braking; linked braking to a full stop is no problem. If you do release & reapply below 20, just be aware linking is then not active.
As for never using the front brake lever, that's bad technique. Don't recommend anyone ever use only the rear brake, linked brakes or not.
The big advantage of the HD linked system (as compared to other linked systems) is in low speed maneuvers, where proper technique is to use steady throttle, with clutch friction point & rear brake to control turning speed. Think 1st gear, tight parking lots, u turns, that sort of thing. Not straight stops on the street for traffic lights or stop signs.
As for never using the front brake lever, that's bad technique. Don't recommend anyone ever use only the rear brake, linked brakes or not.
The big advantage of the HD linked system (as compared to other linked systems) is in low speed maneuvers, where proper technique is to use steady throttle, with clutch friction point & rear brake to control turning speed. Think 1st gear, tight parking lots, u turns, that sort of thing. Not straight stops on the street for traffic lights or stop signs.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Canada
after riding a few years and the last 6 with HD ABS systems, it is hard to get away from a lifetime of learning not to lock the front brake. It is part of our training to make sure we never locked the front wheel because we know you were going down. Well, after a few rear wheel ABS events, I was getting more confident and finally on a sand covered road tested the front wheel ABS. I was very pleasantly surprised and although don't do it regularly, it boosts your confidence to know the wheel will not lock up, so you can used the front brake right to a full stop.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 588
From: Michigan
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Sounds good addition, but if reading correctly, if you apply brakes above 25 mph both brakes are applied, but below 25mph they work as normal.
So if coming to a controlled stop, both brakes would be on regardless, unless when you get below 25, you release and then re-apply, they then work independently.
Guess my concern if the above is correct, unless doing an emergency stop, I would never use the front brake to come to a stop. I would always release the front at around 10 mph and stop just with the back brake. So to maintain this, and take away the danger of the front wheel sliding away, you would have to train yourself to release brakes and then re-apply as you would without linked brakes!
Or have I got this wrong?
So if coming to a controlled stop, both brakes would be on regardless, unless when you get below 25, you release and then re-apply, they then work independently.
Guess my concern if the above is correct, unless doing an emergency stop, I would never use the front brake to come to a stop. I would always release the front at around 10 mph and stop just with the back brake. So to maintain this, and take away the danger of the front wheel sliding away, you would have to train yourself to release brakes and then re-apply as you would without linked brakes!
Or have I got this wrong?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Going back to the linked brakes, the front lever can and indeed should still be used in conjunction with the rear pedal, for maximum braking. Two rotors good, three rotors better (apologies to George Orwell!).