Linked Brakes

[bluesdog]

This thing has brakes?

 

[CA G-Man]

I have never had any stopping problems attributable to the FJR linked brakes, but I believe the short stopping distance several have commented on is because of the ABS, not the linking.

Put me in the group that believes linking brakes is a totally unnecessary complication.I don't believe they do anything to shorten stopping distances or improve safety.

Linking brakes just adds cost, complexity and weight for no advantage as far as I am concerned.

The point I tried to make in my 2nd post was that I don't believe linking the brakes ever gave me an advantage over an unlinked system. Some of you may feel differently. I simply don't understand why you need linked brakes when unlinked would function as well or better.I have not read every road test of every motorcycle, but never once do I remember a tester saying that any bike with unlinked brakes would be improved by a linked system.

I guess I am just an old fart that always thought the simplest solution was the best if it doesn't sacrifice performance.

At the risk of opening another can of NEPRT re: statistics, etc., this might be the time to introduce some actual data from an old thread:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/157537-iihs-study-on-integrated-braking-systems/

We can talk about specific situations all we want (dry vs. wet, straight-ahead vs. curves, etc.) but the large-sample, overall picture seems to be that linked braking systems do a better job of keeping riders from becoming gooey road smudges than non-linked systems do.

 

[Powerman]

Rode a few bikes with linked brakes that really sucked. Planned to tear off that evil stuff while waiting for my FJR, forgot all about it after a few rides.

 

[Nanahanman]

Hell, compared to my Ural these brakes are rocket science. The Ural was so bad I thought about having the side car passenger carry abcement block tied to a rope to throw out when I really needed to stop!

Too funny! And true, from what I've heard.

I have ridden my gen 2 on a variety of surfaces and never had the linked braking system cause any problems.

Yes, it's comlicated and perhaps unnecesary, but linked brakes should not be a deal breaker on buying the FJR.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Linked brakes are a benefit, not a concern. I've had fully linked, linked and servo-d, and partially linked ala gen III FJR. All worked great. All provided additional safety and braking power when it was most important. I like unlinked just fine. But like ABS, linked has already done the job before you ever knew you needed it. I've had a couple of downs and near misses on legacy bikes due to conditions (wet/slick=torn hamstring) or the bike's simple inability to stop fast enough to compensate for a driver's stupidity without the rear passing the front. No such problem once I switched to ABS/linked. As many miles as I ride, I consider both to be valuable risk management tools.

Hi,
A co-worker is thinking about purchasing a used FJR. He has his Boulevard Cruiser up for sale, so he seems to be pretty serious. He stated the Gen II FJRs have linked braking system and he was concerned about this. I've never seen any info or complaints about linked brakes on an FJR. Can any of you confirm this information one way or the other?

Thanks,

John