Linked Brakes

I'm curious to see what the average VFR rider thinks about linked brakes, I'm not a big fan of the linked brakes because just when I started to get into trail braking, I bought the VFR. But unless you ride with your hair on fire like some of us do, I think a big majority of all VFR riders will think the linked brakes are a good thing. So to test my theory please vote honestly in my poll...

 

The jury is out... Like the VTEC, I like the idea well enough, but the maintenance looks to be a pain when compared to what I am used to. Want to bleed your brakes to replace the old fluid with new fluid? Give yourself some time and patience...

I guess they work well enough, but I am so accustomed to using both brakes on every bike I've owned that I really don't notice much difference.

And like all techno-trickery, hope nothing goes wrong.

 

Yeah, need a don't care option. Because I don't, pretty much except for track days I use both ends anyway. And I haven't done a track day in a while, so I don't even notice them.

 

Big fan here of KISS. also a fan of, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I swear I truly belive when Honda gets it in their mind to work something over get outa the way, even if it don't make sense and cost $$$$$

 

I remember reading that, "Honda is good at solving the engineering problems that nobody had". I do love Hondas, but...

 

I think the concept is a great one for the majority of riders. However, in actual practice I think they feel really weird (technical term) when trail braking - although I have so far only put in 70 COLD miles to get used to it.

Maybe I'll hold on to my vote until I ride this thing a while.... :tape:

 

I would think linked brakes would make locking of the rear wheel more likely on quick stops?

My understanding of link brakes is that upon application of either brake, the other is applied in an increasing proportional percentage to the other.

My question is, if you're actively pressing both brakes (under your own, non mechanical input), do the brakes multiply the amount of pressure still?

Sorry if that's a little confusing, I don't understand them myself.

I don't think I like the idea of link brakes; I think ultimate control and safety comes from solely the machine's response to operator input; I can think of a lot of situations where I may not want the brakes automatically applied to the other wheel.

 

Hmmm, I didn't vote because I don't hate them but I don't really love them like my firstborn.

The VFR isn't designed as a extreme track racer and taking that into account the LBS gives it a great forgiving nature. One time I was in a mid-turn and downshifted too quickly, resulting in a fishtail. I panicked and squeezed the front brake lever as hard as I could. Because of the fishtailing my right foot lost its place on the foot peg and I couldn't brake the rear.

Oh, and this was on a mountain where the edge of the road is a real steep 100+ foot drop. I literally stopped within inches of the edge. I have to say if I only had the front brake I probably be writing this message from a hospital.

On the other hand the LBS makes driving over gravel a nervous experience. The last thing you want is the front wheel to lock up and you'll lose your steering. When I'm on gravel I use the rear brake VERY lightly, barely tapping it and I use the engine to brake the bike as well.

What would be really cool is if there was a way to enable/disable LBS with a switch. Feel like a track day? Just turn off LBS. Just going to work? Turn LBS back on!

 

Now that would be cool! Could be done, but that would add even MORE weight. :frown:

 

I'm only an average wrench when it comes to motorcycles but I do know the basics, so one day I figured the VFR need a good bleed, never in my life have I ever cursed so much on a motorcycle maintenance project as my first attempt at bleeding the VFR :yell:

 

I can see where they could be annoying at the track, but its pretty obvious this bike wasn't designed the same as a pure sport bike. I still use both brakes as normal and I do not notice it at all. In reality, when you mash the rear brake you get full rear brake power, and only 1 piston from the front. so you only get 1/6th or about 16% of the front brake when you hit the rear thats really not that much. In addition, when you hit the front brake, only 1/3 of the rear caliper is receiving pressure. If anything I find it keeps the bike more level during braking if the operator isn't 100% perfect. I don't think that it is really needed, but I do not think that it is bad either. I find it to be pretty transparent on the street (unless playing around trying to feel it, but then im really not riding it properly) so overall I think it does its job well. I really wouldn't be sad if it was left off however.

 

I don't mind them. They probably make us have to replace rear pads more often because they always get use where my CBR would probably last a bit longer. I always found myself dialing in a little stability with the rear brake before and I still catch myself doing it now so I don't really mind them and they are pretty transparent.

 

I find the LBS unobstrusive on my '06. Honda apparently modified them for the 6th gen and probably for good reason. It is clear to me the amount of linking is very small. I'm not really what the point is though.

 

I like their performance. I think they make an average rider (like myself) a better rider. Even at the track i think they are a good thing. There's nothing wrong with using rear brake fellas, its just that too much can be a bad thing, and trying to regulate that with your big-assed boot/leg can be the most difficult part. Flying into a corner where your normally using the front brake and its giving you just a little bit on rear will help shut things down and alot of us like a little trail braking.

The down side of them for me is the maintenance aspect. But thats on me, not Honda.

 

I haven't noticed them in day-to-day riding. We'll see what I think about them come summertime.

If there was an "I don't care" option, it would've been my choice.

 

LOL, yes I already knew what your answer would be as well as riders like RVFR & Taz and members like that, but I truly believe that most VFR riders don't care if the VFR has linked brakes and that it's lost some of the original sport heritage, some riders will see this as progress and some of the old dinosaur's like you and me will wish we had full creative design of the 2009 VFR :biggrin:

 

I think Honda did a good job designing the brakes; they seem to function well. Like others, I don't like dealing with a more complicated system when working on it or for upgrade/aftermarket parts reasons. I'd prefer simplicity of 2 hydraulic lines from M/C to brake calipers.