Linked brakes - '14 touring - thoughts?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 362
From: Mansfield Texas
I don't think I have ever used my rear brake pedal, slow stops you can tell it is just the front, at higher speeds you can feel the rear come in shortly after the front. I have noticed if you are using the front brake and let up then pull again they both come on simultaneously. I would say that 99.9% of my braking is with the front lever only.
Had to do a "panic" stop one time, bike stopped real smooth but very fast using the front lever only. Besides with the rear pedal as high as it is, its a pain lifting your foot that high.
Had to do a "panic" stop one time, bike stopped real smooth but very fast using the front lever only. Besides with the rear pedal as high as it is, its a pain lifting your foot that high.
I never take my heel off the board to hit the rear pedal....
I really don't feel that big of difference, it is a bit higher than my 2011 was, but damn,
if you believe what you read, the pedal seems to be up near your knee...
I really don't feel that big of difference, it is a bit higher than my 2011 was, but damn,
if you believe what you read, the pedal seems to be up near your knee...
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Great responses everyone, thanks!
Two problems with that:
1. If you have ABS, it's non-issue anyway.
2. If you have a non-ABS bike, you can modulate the front braking bias anyway, it doesn't have to be 100%.
Ok, I didn't mean I never use the front brake, but I would never use the front brake when riding slow and to pull to a complete stop, unless stopping in an emergency. So use both brakes right upto the point when you roll to a stop, then stop with the rear. I've seen people lose the front on loose gravel or wet white line paint, by coming to a complete halt with the front brake, too hard.
1. If you have ABS, it's non-issue anyway.
2. If you have a non-ABS bike, you can modulate the front braking bias anyway, it doesn't have to be 100%.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 374
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park, Ks
Oct,23,13 on my way home from work around 6:30 PM, took the scenic route Foothill Rd,Sunol,CA.(Big Mistake) 2 Lane, no street lights,doing 35mph when I came up on a good size deer on the right side of the road(my lane)it did this clumsy juke move, it looked like it was going to my right so I went hard left then the dear went left to. Up until this point I had not touch the brakes.Now somewhat leaned over to the left I grabbed a hand full of front brake the bike stopped within one foot of hitting it. We both came to a stop on the far left of the road/mountain side then it bolted to the other side of the road and into the brush! The ABS saved my *** the bike handle flawlessly considering it wasn't a straight line situation. Needless to say I cleaned my shorts when I got home!
Not to be critical...I love it when someone starts a sentence with that. IMHO the best way to address a deer encounter is to first reduce speed if at all possible. It is the one action that can without a doubt lessen the damage in case of impact. It has been my experience that maintaining my direction of travel and appling the brakes has served me well. I have seen a few cars in the trees successfully avoiding deer. On another point, ABS is not much help in a turn on a motorcycle.
Sorry for not addressing the OP question.
Scott said, "If it saved you from one accident it would be worth the price of admission". I agree!
I was the Safety Officer with a riding club for years and when talking to riders who go down under a panic braking sutuation, their famous words are I had to lay it down. What they are really saying is, I lock the brakes until the bike turned sideway and fell down or they let go the brakes when it was sideways and it high sided them. Either way it's hard to control PANIC, even for the best experenced rider.
Linked ABS is a must on any bike I buy. I've had it on the last 4 bikes and want ride without it. It works, and could save your life !!!!!!!
The 2014 Limited has great brakes, HD Rushmore Project technology is on the right track. Making the best motorcycle possible is a good thing. Old school is for old motorcycle.
I was the Safety Officer with a riding club for years and when talking to riders who go down under a panic braking sutuation, their famous words are I had to lay it down. What they are really saying is, I lock the brakes until the bike turned sideway and fell down or they let go the brakes when it was sideways and it high sided them. Either way it's hard to control PANIC, even for the best experenced rider.
Linked ABS is a must on any bike I buy. I've had it on the last 4 bikes and want ride without it. It works, and could save your life !!!!!!!
The 2014 Limited has great brakes, HD Rushmore Project technology is on the right track. Making the best motorcycle possible is a good thing. Old school is for old motorcycle.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
HD is about where BMW was in 1994. Bikes listed below. The BMW integrated brakes work the way they should. When you engage the front brake lever, the system proportions the front and rear brake. But when you use the rear by itself, it's only the rear that engages. No adjustment in trail-braking or anything else needed (of course, trail braking is rarely needed on a bike with reasonable lean angle). The front lever hauls the bike down like the hand of God...without actuating ABS.
Perhaps HD will get there. Right now they're trying to bring us a radiator that doesn't leak. Cutting edge, baby!
Perhaps HD will get there. Right now they're trying to bring us a radiator that doesn't leak. Cutting edge, baby!
Last edited by SilverV; Nov 15, 2013 at 06:28 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 779
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From: Earth
And the reason I decided on a 2014 over the 2013... My heritage rear wheel would lock up at the drop of a hat...