Linked brakes

[Geoff Crowther]

Hi all
I'm pretty confident in saying my 08 GSA has linked brakes. I'm sure I read it in some blurb somewhere, but, curiously, there's no mention of it anywhere in the rider's handbook.
So, I'm sure someone better informed than me can tell me how they work.
I'm particularly wondering if I'm right in thinking that application of the front brake brings in some back brake too. What I'm not clear about is, does the back brake apply some front - I'd like to think not?
I'm not losing any sleep over this, by the way, since my practice is, in fact, to apply both brakes in most situations, (note, I'm not delving into the realms of how much front and rear here, since that's a whole separate topic), preferring not get into the habit of applying only the front and relying on the link.
My question comes about as a result of a bar-room discussion on braking and linked brakes and I realised I wasn't 100% certain as to how my bike's linked brakes worked, (that comment's sure to open the field for lots of amusing comments!).
Cheers
Geoff

 

[piebaps]

(that comment's sure to open the field for lots of amusing comments!).

OK Geoff, seeing as how you asked!

Applying the front or rear brakes (that's breaks for anyone who has trouble spelling) doesn't actually apply the brakes.

It's actually a signal for the magic slow down fairy. When she gets the signal she sprinkles a shower of woofle dust over the wheels, which magically slows them down.

Its quite simples really!

 

[Mr K]

Front brake lever applies front and rear brake.

Rear brake lever applies rear brake only.

This is for non-fairy models.

 

[AdamA]

Front brake lever applies front and rear brake.

Rear brake lever applies rear brake only.

This is for non-fairy models.

I thought the GS had the same system as the GSA.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Yeah, very funny piebaps; I'm sure it must be true.

Thanks, Mr.K; as I thought. Anyone know details of what proportion, front to rear?

Go on then Adam, I'll fall for it.

"I thought the GS had the same system as the GSA.", meaning what? It IS a GSA; late 2008.

Cheers
Geoff

 

[AdamA]

Go on then Adam, I'll fall for it.

Nothing to fall for, just read what is written:

This is for non-fairy models.

I thought the GS had the same system as the GSA.

Considering you have a GSA, and I have a GSA, it's fairly obvious that I am calling the GS a fairy model isn't it?


Jeez people are hard work at times.

 

[JJH]

Isn't it only the abs models that have linked brakes? JJH

 

[Mr K]

Isn't it only the abs models that have linked brakes? JJH

You could well be right, worth their weight in gold today.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

JJH - I should have said, it IS an ABS bike and yes, I think you could be right.
Geoff

 

[AdamA]

Hi all
I'm pretty confident in saying my 08 GSA has linked brakes. I'm sure I read it in some blurb somewhere, but, curiously, there's no mention of it anywhere in the rider's handbook.

p88 BTW.

 

[Rusape]

Anyone know details of what proportion, front to rear?

Geoff

I asked this question of a dealer on Sat and he told me front brake applies 40% rear brake.

Rear brake - 100% rear only.

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Thanks guys. Fully answered.
Cheers Adam. If I'd spotted that there'd have been no questions.
Never mind. Thanks to all anyway.
Cheers
Geoff

 

[mr badger]

In practice I've found the linking works quite well. When practicing emergency stops I've tended to keep my foot off the rear as the combined system seems to sort out just the right amount of rear. Even a little foot leads the ABS to kick in on less than perfect surfaces.

Very nice to have the independent rear too. Having had a Honda with their full linked front/rear system it was quite difficult to get really good rear control for slow speed stuff.

 

[Little-Brit]

I asked this question of a dealer on Sat and he told me front brake applies 40% rear brake.

Rear brake - 100% rear only.

I would guess that there is little or no proportioning of effort between front and rear brakes (other than by piston size) because the ABS controls approaching wheel lock up, which is the point you want to be at for maximum braking effort.

Just ride the thing, enjoy yourself and let the ABS worry about which wheel needs most effort.

 

[tunnie]

got there in end, Jeeeze simple question. Torrent of sarcastic answers.

New to bikes myself (only passed March 2008) and having a 'fairy' GS bike with ABS, does it have linked brakes?

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

got there in end, Jeeeze simple question. Torrent of sarcastic answers.

Jeez, that was mild in ukGSer world

Thank yer lucky stars Wapping didn't post on this thread...................
























Andres

 

[cookie]

I would guess that there is little or no proportioning of effort between front and rear brakes (other than by piston size) because the ABS controls approaching wheel lock up, which is the point you want to be at for maximum braking effort.

Just ride the thing, enjoy yourself and let the ABS worry about which wheel needs most effort.

it is said that the force applied to the back brake is variable depending on usage of the front.

i reckon, in practice, the back is banged on to just below the point of lock. i deduce this by the fact that normally, if the front brake is operated, any additional application of the rear will get the ABS working.

that, and the fact that the rear pads only last 5 minutes

 

[AdamA]

got there in end, Jeeeze simple question. Torrent of sarcastic answers.

New to bikes myself (only passed March 2008) and having a 'fairy' GS bike with ABS, does it have linked brakes?

If you don't want sarcastic answers you can always RTFM!

 

[tunnie]

If you don't want sarcastic answers you can always RTFM!

As Geoff mentions, its not in the manual, looks as if sarcastic posters have not read it

Could explain a few things

, there's no mention of it anywhere in the rider's handbook.

Cheers
Geoff

 

[AdamA]

As Geoff mentions, its not in the manual, looks as if sarcastic posters have not read it

Could explain a few things

And as I already pointed out:

p88 BTW.

it IS in the manual, looks as if a few lazy posters couldn't be arsed to find it and wonder why that got them sarcastic replies.


Which DOES explain a few things.