A bounty should be paid for each one taken.

 

No. You're over thinking this. There is no need to release then reapply for normal braking; linked braking to a full stop is no problem. If you do release & reapply below 20, just be aware linking is then not active.

As for never using the front brake lever, that's bad technique. Don't recommend anyone ever use only the rear brake, linked brakes or not.

The big advantage of the HD linked system (as compared to other linked systems) is in low speed maneuvers, where proper technique is to use steady throttle, with clutch friction point & rear brake to control turning speed. Think 1st gear, tight parking lots, u turns, that sort of thing. Not straight stops on the street for traffic lights or stop signs.

 

I love the braking on my Limited. I also rode BMWs for a few years with ABS, had 5 of them. As for the deer, guys, it ain't the fault of the deer when they jump out on to the road. It's the goverenments fault for requiring them to do so. Ever notice those signs they post with deer on them?? In PA the signs always show the deer jumping TOWARD the road for Petes sake. I say the signs should direct the deer to jump AWAY from the road. Damn deer is only trying to comply with the signs. :-)

 

I am a big fan of the linked brakes and ABS, it is one of the things that drove me to buy my 14 Limited. I first saw them when I was teaching the MSF course for the Navy. We rode our own bikes for the course. One of the exercises was "Controlling a Rear Wheel Skid", this was my favorite one to demo. Had a student with a BMW who told me he couldn't do the exercise because of his linked brakes and ABS. I told him to show me. He rode the course exactly like he should have, stomped on the rear brake and the bike just stopped. I was amazed. He let me ride it at lunch and I decided then and there that I wanted that on a Harley, it took 10 years but here it is. It's about time.

 

Ok, I didn't mean I never use the front brake, but I would never use the front brake when riding slow and to pull to a complete stop, unless stopping in an emergency. So use both brakes right upto the point when you roll to a stop, then stop with the rear. I've seen people lose the front on loose gravel or wet white line paint, by coming to a complete halt with the front brake, too hard.

 

after riding a few years and the last 6 with HD ABS systems, it is hard to get away from a lifetime of learning not to lock the front brake. It is part of our training to make sure we never locked the front wheel because we know you were going down. Well, after a few rear wheel ABS events, I was getting more confident and finally on a sand covered road tested the front wheel ABS. I was very pleasantly surprised and although don't do it regularly, it boosts your confidence to know the wheel will not lock up, so you can used the front brake right to a full stop.

 

Braking - just another useless skill from the past.

 

 

I think you have it part right. If you release the front brake at about 10 mph, you still have the rear brake on, so the linked brakes would stay engaged because you started using the rear brake above 25 mph. If you reapply the front, it would only engage the front brake. As everyone has stated, these will take a bit of practice until you get the feel of the new system.

 

Thanks for that!

Going back to the linked brakes, the front lever can and indeed should still be used in conjunction with the rear pedal, for maximum braking. Two rotors good, three rotors better (apologies to George Orwell!).