Linked brakes: What is Yamaha's rationale for their setup?

[mingo]

I'm seriously considering the FJR as my next bike and I'm trying to understand why Yamaha links the rear brake with a couple of calipers from the front?

Having ridden a BMW with semi integral brakes, applying the brake lever, applies both front and rear brakes completely, but applying the brake pedal, only applies the rear brake, which is great for trail braking when approaching curves or braking in parking lot maneuvres, and this setup makes perfect sense to me. In a panic stop, you grab a handful of front brake lever and both brakes are engaged and ABS is there in case of lockup. You don't need to also apply the rear brake pedal.

So, I'm trying to understand why Yamaha wants you to apply both the lever and the pedal to get full braking power?

Also what happens when you're crawling along at parking lot speeds, making a U turn and you have to suddenly apply the rear brake pedal which also applies some front brake, does the bike want to fall down due to the front brake activation?

 

[Knifemaker]

So, I'm trying to understand why Yamaha wants you to apply both the lever and the pedal to get full braking power?

Because that is how most bikes are supposed to work?

The amount of braking force applied to the front wheel when using just the rear pedal is not enough to cause in problems in low speed manuvers.

Sounds to me like you lack more control with the BMW set up , as most of the braking force comes from the front brake, so why divert any to the rear?

Them Germans always do things backwards...........

KM

 

[E-Ticket Ride]

I won't attempt to state what Yamaha's rational was, but linked brakes have been around for a long time. My 84 Venture Royale had them, and by comparison, they were much more intrusive than the FJR set-up. The ongoing explaination I have always heard, is that too many riders (read old farts) are not aggressive enough with, or even bother use the front brake at all, for fear of "going over the bars." To get those clods to at least use some front braking, they linked the system. Regardless, it isn't worth fussing about because, a) many models of touring machine run linked brakes, and B) the FJR's isn't very noticable.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Mingo,

Get a GenI and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[thewoodman]

Also what happens when you're crawling along at parking lot speeds, making a U turn and you have to suddenly apply the rear brake pedal which also applies some front brake, does the bike want to fall down due to the front brake activation?

Mingo, I just picked up my AE FJR tonight so I am no expert. But, when I got home I practiced a couple u-turns in the street while dragging the rear brake ( a technique I learned here) I felt absolutley no effect on the front end from doing this. As far as emergency braking while healed over, I don't do it. I Stand the bike up then brake.

Greg

 

[fjrrider]

I couldnt tell you why Yamaha decided to link the two together, but I for one like it. I think it gives a rider much greater stopping power. As far as braking goes in the twisties I rarely ever use the rear brake,

Slow speed manuvers is more of a clutch control thing to me, still I've not noticed any kind of issue with the linked brakes at slow speeds. I'll pay attention to that next ride and see what happens.

To me whenever you apply only the rear brake (even when you apply it hard) I dont feel enough action from the front to warrant not using the brake lever.

The ABS system works very well, and its not like you have to get used to it or anything, it feels pretty normal from the beginning.

 

[wfooshee]

There is also apparently a threshold that must be exceeded in brake pressure before the link to the front actually engages. I learned that on this forum a couple weeks ago.

 

[Braenen]

I have an AE as well and I never feel any issues with the front brake when doing trail brakeing at slow speeds. I know it engages the front but it simply is not an issue.

As for the brakes on the bike, I absolutely love them. On my break-in ride a buddy of mine took me to the Cherohala Skyway and we rode some serous twisties. Sevral of those turns are decreasing radius and there is no warning about it on any of them. I was in a sweeper marked for 25mph doing 45+ leaned over and doing the smooth outside-inside-outside pattern taught at the MSF course. At the apex I realized that the turn suddenly decreased to an extremely tight hairpin switchback and climb to the left. I stood the bike up, hit both brakes HARD and dropped three gears. I then leaned it over HARD to the left, scraped my foot on the road and pulled off the turn. I dropped 35 mph in the distance of the road tangent. If I were on a lesser bike I would have had a very bad day.

 

[2wheeldrift]

Also what happens when you're crawling along at parking lot speeds, making a U turn and you have to suddenly apply the rear brake pedal which also applies some front brake, does the bike want to fall down due to the front brake activation?

Nothing happens & no way does the bike want to fall down. This is my first bike with ABS & I have 2 other bike [ 08 FZI / 09 ZX-10 ] both non ABS. I actually like the ABS better than than my other bikes & coming from a previous non believer of this systen I now eat humble pie every time i apply the brakes on the FJR. You have no cause for concern.

 

[mingo]

Thanks for the feedback... I'm just about sold on this bike, now only if I can get a test ride.. Dealers around here don't let you test ride bikes, must wait for Yamaha's annual test ride next spring. :

 

[HaulinAshe]

I've been "linking brakes" mentally for years. The '07 was my first bike with integrated linked brakes, and I jumped off the '05 without them directly onto the '07 with linked.

The prospect of linked brakes scared me for a while. I can honestly say that 75,000 miles later, I'm still telling everyone that Yamaha "got it right, or as right as it can be". It's an awesome linked brake system. The best complement I can give, is that you rarely are "aware" of the linked brakes.

In a very slow speed parking lot turn, you do have to be mindful NOT to STOMP on the rear pedal, or it will for certain, tuck the bars into your chest. But you would have nearly the same effect without the link.

The one place that linked brakes bother me most (and often) is on gravel roads. When I dive off onto some goat trail not fit for modern vehicles, with big washouts, large rocks and rutts, and chunks of crush-n-run granite rolling over a sun-baked downhill, I would pay good money for a switch that would disable the front link. You have to use engine braking and keep your hand and foot off the brakes with your elbows firmly locked.

Then again, people say I'm crazy for ever going down that road to begin with.

 

[wfooshee]

Then again, people say I'm crazy for ever going down that road to begin with.

I think that's what you meant.

 

[Brodie]

Then again, people say I'm crazy for ever going down that road to begin with.

Jeff you oughta try that on an AE using just the right hand. :dribble:

Brodie

 

[RaYzerman19]

If you want REAL linked brakes, try a Honda ST1300 or Goldwing. Either the pedal or the lever activates linked brakes, like it or not. Never had a problem with it. The ST1300 has stopping power like you wouldn't believe, and the FJR's are pretty good but not quite that good.

I'm still waiting to feel the linked brakes on the FJR, as far as I'm concerned, there's not much to it if anything.