I am wondering if anyone has any data on performance on the above two popular brake upgrades for Harley touring bikes. I'm sure that upgrading to larger rotors and radial calipers are real performance upgrades, just a bit more dubious that swapping out rotors and pads is.

Brand new bike and hence brand new brakes. Trying to figure out how important they are as part of my performance build this winter.

Thanks,

BM

 

I did updated calipers and rotors. Tons of improved performance but can't tell you how much is rotor and how much is caliper. Think the caliper plays a bigger role.

 

On the 08+ bikes, there's really no need to upgrade those calipers unless you are VERY aggressive, doing track days etc, or just want the bling. They're actually a really good caliper for stock.
Pads will make a big difference, and the rotors definitely help. Theyll bite a little more and the biggest benefit is they wont heat up and fade as quickly. Galfer seem to get much better reviews for what its worth.

 

Thanks for the input! Bling is nice, but the "budget" on this project is getting out of control, so I'm trying to be reasonable where possible.

 

In my experience, brake rotors (along with upgraded pads) make a big difference in both stopping power and the longevity of the rotor due to better heat dissipation and materials.

On my 2011 Road Glide, I warped two sets of front rotors. After doing some research, I found Lyndall and have had their rotors and pads on my last three bikes with no issue.

I recently changed from 11.8" Lyndall rotors/pads with the stock calipers to Galfer 13" rotors with Brembo radial calipers. I haven't noticed an improvement in stopping power or even brake lever feedback--but they sure do look cool. I'm still using the stock Harley master cylinder, may upgrade to an aftermarket radial setup at some point.

 

For budget, I'd run the stock stuff until they warp. Then I'd replace the rotors with either EBC or Galfers, with their matching pads and call it a day. No need to go radial.

 

I just love the looks of the oversize Galfer waves!

I did upgrade to the Lyndall pads last time I did tires, can't tell any difference, really.

I am going for those Galfers, though. I put oversize wave rotors on my dirt bikes, it was always an improvement

 

I find it a very useful info - thanks!

Aren't waves on the bottom picture? If so, it appear to be Lyndall, no?

QUESTION:
those colored discs - gold or black - how do they look after few thousand miles?

 

I should probably qualify this statement, the Lyndall rotors and Gold Plus pads--in my opinion--were a big upgrade over the stock rotors and pads. Going from the Lyndall to the Galfer is where I didn't see much of an improvement in stopping power. Stopping was good with Lyndall, it's still good with Galfer.


I think this is just a difference of marketing terminology, Wave is a patented description for Galfer rotors. The rotors in the second picture are described by Lyndall as Bow-Tie cut.

The black came of of my rotors within the first 500 miles, which bugged me since I had Lyndall smooth rotors on two prior bikes and they did not lose the black coloring after thousands of miles.

 

Short: thanks.