| Author | Message | ||
     Walrus2004 |
So the front break on my 04 XB12s is pretty touchy, which is how it is suppose to be i think. But its almost too responsive for my liking... Is there anyway to tone this down a little? | ||
| 03worc9r |
Ride more and get used to it. There are many people out there wishing their brakes were more responsive. I guess you could always just use your back brakes, but you might not be able to stop in time! | ||
| Walrus2004 |
ya, thats what i figured, just wanted to check with all of you experienced buell owners | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Use the back brake more. It's like a block of wood. | ||
| Rhun |
use only three fingers, if still too much then two or one. I use three for track straights and two for trail braking, so if I get startled I don't lock the front brake. | ||
| Punkid8888 |
Lydall Gold it will eliminate the Toggle Switch, give you a very nice progressive brake, and eliminate 90% of the chatter from deposits on the Rim Don't bother waiting till your pads wear out, you will be very satisfied | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
+1 on the Golds. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Yes, Lyndall Golds from American Sport Bike. They do not have the initial bite of the stock pads & have a progressive feel. They also give good feedback. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
One or two fingers on the front brake is all I use. My 98S1W is more on/off, my 08XB is more progressive... | ||
| Skully |
+1 on the Lyndalls | ||
| Walrus2004 |
Lyndall Gold's ordered, thanks guys. | ||
| Swordsman |
Could adjusting the brake lever dial help any? Maybe having to pull it a bit further before engagement would change the feel for you...? ~SM | ||
| Jeffroj |
I only use my index and middle fingers for 90% of my braking, the only time I use more fingers or my back break is when someone slams on their breaks or pulls out in front of me, but that never happens! You need to train yourself to not use all four fingers, and you can only do that by riding more. Don't make your brake less responsive because there will be many times when you will want it to be more responsive. | ||
| Gschuette |
I wish I had gotten something with more initial bite than the lyndalls. They seem like you really need to squeeze hard before anything special happens. I like gobs of initial front bite on the mountain bikes. I guess I want the motorbike to be that way too. A progressive rear brake is nice though. | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Update the rear to the Brembo Kit Al had for sale, then go with the Buell Accessory Caliper, Brake Line and Mastercylinder for the RR. Now it will stop Ride Em | ||
| Azxb9r |
Rhun had the trick... use only 2 fingers. | ||
| Point_doc |
Update the rear to the Brembo Kit Al had for sale, then go with the Buell Accessory Caliper, Brake Line and Mastercylinder for the RR. Now it will stop Just for fun I took the shopping list and priced it out. 9254 - 03-08 XB Series Bracket, Rear Brembo Mounting $69.95 9255 - 03-08 XB Series Caliper, Rear, Brembo Two Piston $120.00 18000 - 03-08 1125R and XB Series Nissin Front ZTL2 Caliper. $379.29 18008 - 03-08 1125R and XB-R Series Front Brake Line $53.00 16106 - Nissin Radial Master Cylinder for XB $214.95 9260 - Front ZTL2 8 pot Caliper Brake Pads $99.00 5393 - DOT 4 Brake Fluid $6.65 Brake pads for the Brembo caliper approx. $25.00 New brake lines for the Brembo and hardware approx. $50.00 Sub-Total = $1017.84 Ca. tax = $78.88 Total without shipping charges = $1096.72 I am sure as always there is an item or two I have neglected to account for, so I believe with shipping charges and extra’s $1300.00 plus???? I know what "will stop" if I followed this suggestion...my marriage!  Just had our 24th anniversary last week. ...just having fun!!  (Message edited by Point_Doc on August 24, 2008) | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
When I started riding as a newbie (still am to a large extent), I thought that a strong rear brake was necessary for good stopping power. But after some experience, I realize that a rear brake is useless for emergency or fast stops because the rear lifts, which can easily lock the rear wheel. I find it better to not use rear brake during emergency or fast stops. One thing rear brake is great for - slow traffic jam. So why update the rear brake? Am I missing something? | ||
| Andymnelson |
I can't believe the number of people giving the advice to 2 or 3 finger the brake lever. That's great maybe for mellow average riding, but just wait until the first surprise hits and you need to grab a fistful of brake...and either can;t because your others fingers are in the way or you pinch said fingers real good. Unless you have adjustable levers that allow you to insure the full-on point is out far enough to avoid this....use 4 fingers! | ||
| Od54 |
Always use both brakes. That way you'll be used to it so you'll stop faster when you need to. The rear does help even if it is minimally. It could make the difference. | ||
| Packrat |
How the hell can you pinch your fingers??? A fistful of brake on mine would be the WORST thing I could do, surprise or no surprise. Your technique would work good on single leading shoe front brakes, but would "endo" yo' ass if used on a ZTL brake!!!! At least on mine....... | ||
| Froggy |
i got to dig up the pics, had a minor spill and the lever bent and crushed a finger. it was blue for about a month. | ||
| Mr2shim |
How can a fist full of front brake in an emergency possibly be a good thing. Bad advice 101. Using both accordingly is the best and safest practice. And WTF?!?! Pinch your fingers? Either you have some humongous hands or you are thinking of the clutch, because last time I checked (today) the front brake doesn't pull back that far. (Message edited by mr2shim on August 28, 2008) | ||
| Flyingpenguin86 |
emergency stop + fistful of brakes = VERY BAD!!!! Trust me, that's only happened once, but that's the only time I've ever felt like a stunt rider. Of course it was completely accidental, extremely terrifying, and no, I don't want to talk about it....it still gives me pains in my wallet to this day.... | ||
| Packrat |
Don't bother digging up pics froggy-we aren't talking about wrecking....just talking about using front brakes to avoid a wreck.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I could *easily* loop my 9sx with two fingers, no problem. I did have to get out of the habit of putting two fingers on the brakes and leaving the other two on the grip though... I'd gotten into the habit of doing that on the XB, then I would jump on the KLR-250, and at the first stop, it was always squeeze - crunch - ouch - release - move fingers - squeeze - stop. Not good. Also, even on the XB, if you do ever find yourself in a "gotta pump up the brakes" scenario, you need the full travel of that lever. It's rare, but it will happen the first time you stop after a tire change, and if you ever get rotor damage, or if you ever got water contaminated brake fluid and overheated the brakes. Froggy gives another good reason. If you are in the midst of a low side, the last thing you are going to be thinking is "oh, ok, now I need to get those fingers out from between the brake lever and bar". So granted, it will be a fairly rare event, but it could ruin your whole day. So getting all four fingers on that brake lever is probably a wise habit to develop. |
