This thread is about this particular device, not how to brake!

It is difficult to avoid being a cynic. There are a lot of devices that come and go and promise nirvana. I would need some convincing from independent testing that this adds something worth having. On the one hand riding a bike that is close to 1200 pounds rolling requires both care and good brakes, however on the other hand any add-on like this needs credibility. At the moment I don't see anything that convinces me to buy.

 

This might be a life saving, world of bikes changing, lucky charm that we all have on our bikes in years to come. But I'd need to see some real testing, and hear from people using it on the road for several years before I trust anything that could fail and leak an air charge into my break system.

 

Following

 

Looks interesting but apparently there is not one to fit Harley's with conventional (non abs) Brembo's?

 

sgdiesel,

Thank you for pointing me to that thread! That is what I was looking for and missed finding!

 

I installed these units on my '03 EG after I installed Lyndall pads. The original front pads made noise all of the time while riding, and that was okay. However, I found that when I made sudden rear brake pedal contact, I was locking the rear wheel unexpectedly. I've been use to my '80 SG for 30+ years, and found it difficult to dial in the new controls without locking under a panic pedal hit. The Lyndall pads eliminated the noisy "swooshing" sound from the front, but it was still easy to lock the rear tire. So I installed the air-over-hydraulic systems on each caliper, and for me, they work very well. A panic pedal hit does not cause any wheel lockup now, however, I have been able to apply enough pressure to easily lock them. These air-over-hydraulic units have eliminated wheel lockup on an initial panic pedal hit. As well, they have not changed the feel of the brake system, still a solid feeling, not mushy at all. I have not had any experience on wet pavement yet.

Steve-

 

I wouldn't dare modify a OEM brake system and I would love to see stopping distance tests on dry and wet from a 3rd party lab/testing agency. Putting a mechancial, non-automated buffer in the system is a very, very bad idea IMO. It can't account for variances in traction and weight. The rubber diaphragm doesn't have a range of resistance that can adjust to conditions. Why aren't there tests from 55-75mph? If it doesn't allow lock-up on a dry surface, I highly doubt it will shorten distances in the real world.

Panic stops are one thing vs. threshold braking. And no one can pump the brakes fast enough with a compromised traction surface.

BTW, traction control is a universally used phrase for wheel spin control, not for brake lock-up prevention.

 

I posted this a while back:

I have it on the rear only. Here's my reason:

In a panic stop, if the brake(s) lock up, tendency is to release the brake(s) and re-apply. From ABATE training, one should not release the rear if it locks up, but only to release the front and re-apply, because if the rear regain traction all of a sudden, the bike might high-side on you. Now we know when the s**t hits the fan, most trainings are out the window. Figure this is a good way to not lock up the rear as easy.

Was trying out just the rear and add the front at some point. After 2 years of riding with TCB in rear only, I choose not to add this to the front. Main reason is now the rear brake takes quite a bit more "pressure" for it to activate, and that kinda concern me....

That being said, TCB recommends if only doing one, it should be in the front. But as I mentioned, normal reflex is to release the brake and re-apply anyway if lock up, it make more sense to me to install in the rear and not the front.

Maybe that's the reason why I haven't notice shorter stopping distance. Overall, I'm not unhappy with the TCB, more for a peace of mind than anything.

Sorry for the long post, just want to voice my opinion for you to make an educated decision.

Ride safe