Un-linking the Linked Brakes on 02-06 VFR

M/C like brake system (un-linked) vs car like (linked) :biggrin:

Linked is OK for 1 or 2-up commuting or touring , super slabbing it , but not when you start pushing the bike in canyons & or on the track were trail braking is more important & comes into play.
1st time I had mine on a track day @ willow springs, it scared the "F" out of me & glad I had a spare bike with me.

Didn't ride the bike until I changed out the brakes & system, & when I went back to willow springs I had more, lots more fun with it, & felt more confident there & in the local SoCal & San Diego Cyns :first:
Never did get used to the V-Tec kicking in & is why after the brakes fixed, I never took that bike to the track again, & it just became my commuter.

But for more long term or most M/C racers, the rear brakes are rarely used & if your used to that, then having the rear being engaged when mostly not needed it can throw you off (literly) almost happened to me :frown:

 

Yup, what Taz said is exactly correct.

 

Freddie Spencer said the linked braking system of the VFR was "the best one he had ever tested and it worked great" I can't remember where I read this. I will have to look it up again and get back to you all ( it was recently either in red rider or AMA motorcycle magazine).
Good enough for Fast Freddie, (I don't think I will ever equal his skill level) So i say good enough for me. OR If it aint broke, don't brake it. (pun intended)

 

The thing is that us meer mortals who race and have gotten used to trail braking dont have the skill to add the back brake into the equation.

IMHO, it's great on the street but would be very difficult for guys like me if used on the track.

 

Hmmm, when I took his class, his VFR wasn't linked.

What he said maybe true & or a Honda sponsored promotional quote, but it's not the best system for the track & how many other sportbikes have linked brakes, best there is compared to what ?????? other larger sport tourers When the VFR is closer to a Sportbike than a sport/tourer, it would be & is better w/o the linked brakes unless your drowning superslabbing the bike.

Yes he's amazing on a VFR, but you should see what he can do with a "REAL" bike set up :biggrin:

Have you ever seen Freddie ride the VFR, he comes off the track with the front Rotors glowing (not the rear) because he has pressure on the brake lever the entire course, another words always engaged, lighter of course in some sections & heavier in others, but always engaged.
Freddie is the king of trail braking !

 

I raced WERA for a few years, and I am picking up my Viffa next weekend. My gut feeling that I will end up junking the linked setup. But I am not planning to track VFR, so we shall see. Maybe fitting better pads on front while keeping rear pads stock will be enough for my taste (assuming stock rear pads dont work as well as HH EBC's).... If you break hard in a straight line, rear is in the air anyways. I am pretty certain nothing will be over stressed or break if I unlink the brakes.

Oh, and Hi to the VFR crowd