About those linked brakes

[redmarcus999]

The problem with the linked brakes off road is that you can lock up the rear wheel, but this also activates the n/s/f caliper, which is rather un-nerving going downhill into a harpin as on the stella.

Im told that you can "re-hose" the system and using blank banjo bolts to bypass the slave cylinder and link hose.

After seeing the new tiger (not impressed) i've decided to keep my vara and turn it more to off roading set-up. So far i've got AT bars, raised the rear end 25mm, am now looking at de-linking the brakes, longer travel suspension & spoked wheels.

All this just to keep up with Africa Jim on next years stella

[africajim]

LOL! Bring it on Marcus! By the end of winter I'll have the Tiger rally prepped ready for next year, I'll have a belly pan designed by then, also considering TKC80's, be interesting to see what mods you make to the Vara. Roll on next yrs Stella!

The Vara's a monster offroad. A few mods would improve the bike though, but it'll not be the Triumph. Sorry you're not impressed Marcus, I think the new Tiger's a thing of beauty! I can't afford one yet though so I'll stick to the 955i meantime. Still loving the bike.

But it'll be interesting to see what Honda come up with next yr. I have to bow to the Vara for touring though, I loved mine, light offroad was ok, but I reckon as hard going as the Stella would be too much for me with such a veritable beast! Best of luck!

[rlkat]

Sorry to bring up a very, very old thread (I've been reading lots lately) but I thought it's better to do this than post a new thread.
I'm looking at buying a Varadero very shortly and I want to know if the linked brakes are OK on wet roads? Off-road there seems to be a concern but I doubt I'll be doing the Dakar* any time soon, let alone trying to win on a Varadero!! I ride my bike all year, in all conditions (road and weather). I could just take it easy but then that's not why I ride a bike. I like to drag my rear brake in to corners and I'm just concerned that the small amount of CBS front brake action could cause an accident.... or am I over-reacting!!

cheers
rob

*I know the Paris-Dakar is no longer but it's a good reference point.

[Steve T]

I've used my Vara throughout the year - even in the snow, and I've not had any "moments", let alone one caused by the linked brakes

Don't know about dragging the rear brake when rounding bends though!

Just my mutterings

Steve T

[davsato]

any varadero you buy from 08 onwards will also have ABS, which is not good for off road and you cant disable it like a GS. saying that, anyone who wants to do any more than light greenlaning on it is bonkers, or one of those odd belgians who do it because someone told them not to. if thats your bag buy a different bike. on dry mud or light gravel, fine, its loads of fun like any bike would be, and ive forded up to the seat before no probs, but there are limits.

re; dragging the rear brake, why? are you one of those really annoying folks who flash their brake light going into every bend putting everyone behind you off? the big old girl is so heavy she can hold herself down no problems

[Farky]

No probs with linked brakes in the wet even if you drag the rear.

Linked works like this:
Touch front: 1piston front
Touch rear: 1piston rear

Hard Front: F&R operate
Hard Rear: R&F operate

Grab a handful and you get both pistons front and one rear.
Stand on the rear is only one rear and one front.

I've commuted in all weather on the Alp and for the first 2 years I never used the front brake. Had to teach myself to use it.

I also used to drag the rear and can now comfortably use the rear mid corner if some eejit pulls out on me at a roundabout. Really good system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[saitek]

It's an excellent sytem on the road, no scary moments locking up the rear wheel in the wet, but still giving plenty of braking 'feel' in use.

Offroad? More fun with a lighter bike altogether.

[Delboy 777]

any varadero you buy from 08 onwards will also have ABS, which is not good for off road and you cant disable it like a GS. saying that, anyone who wants to do any more than light greenlaning on it is bonkers, or one of those odd belgians who do it because someone told them not to. if thats your bag buy a different bike. on dry mud or light gravel, fine, its loads of fun like any bike would be, and ive forded up to the seat before no probs, but there are limits.

re; dragging the rear brake, why? are you one of those really annoying folks who flash their brake light going into every bend putting everyone behind you off? the big old girl is so heavy she can hold herself down no problems

Not true davasto, my bike is a V9 and does not have ABS.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Slightly off-tropic, but yes, it does appear that Honda have re-introduced the non-ABS Varadero. I think a few years ago they phased them out. Lots of people have ridden ABS Varas off-road and not found ABS to be a problem.

Anyway back on topic. Dragging the brake, no point and probably poor practice. I was taught to enter the corner at the right speed and have a touch of throttle on.

We're all human and make mistakes; sometimes we go in a bit fast or the bend tightens. The big V-Twin has enough engine braking that simply closing the throttle should be enough. Yes, sometimes you have to add a little brake and I find that using the foot brake gives a more gentle effect than the handle-bar brake lever. I've never found the linked brakes to be a problem. Mine has ABS so brakes shouldn't interfere with steering anyway... not that I've tried it!




Each caliper has three pistons. I'm pretty certain that the levers operate them as follows:

• Handle-bar brake lever: Two pistons on each front caliper (that's 4) and one on the rear caliper. Braking ratio approx 80:20.
• Foot brake pedal: One piston on each of the front calipers and two on the rear caliper. Braking ratio approx 50:50.

(The ratios don't account for differences in disk diameter etc.)

[rlkat]

Thanks for all the replies. Seems there's to be nothing to worry about. There's also been some negativity towards the rear brake feathering. I don't do it on every corner but I do find it settles the suspension on a corner that tightens and it tends to be the slower corners.
If you are being put off and getting annoyed by a rear brake light may I suggest you back off, concentrate on the corner instead of the bike and over take when safe!

cheers
rob