I seem to recall a thread about a spongy rear brake problem that was solved by bleeding the brake. Well, it seems the front brakes can benefit from that as well. I installed a set of Gen-Mar risers (1 inch up, 1 3/8 back) and I had to reposition the front brake line to get enough slack. That required disconnecting the line at the master cylinder and routing it behind the triple-tree. In the process of bleeding the brake, I had to also bleed the line by applying the brake and slightly opening the line connection at the master cylinder to get the air out at that connection. Having done that and having bleed the calipers as well, I was amazed at how much firmer the front brake felt. I never would have felt a need to do that if I hadn't moved the line but now that I have, I'm quite pleased with the result. Just say'in.
Agreed, I changed my front and rear brake fluid, and clutch too. Felt better all around.
My front brakes are superb as is the rear. So's my fueling. This bike has excellent brakes. I guess maybe some come from Honda not properly bled?
Maybe I got a good one?
I thought my Griso had excellent brakes until I rode my CB1100. Brakes are great. Fueling seems to be spot on (not that I don't think it could be improved; just don't feel a need for it). I do think the rear brake pedal intrudes too far into the foot peg area making it way too easy to ride the rear brake without knowing.
(04-01-2014, 04:04 PM)Red Mist_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My front brakes are superb as is the rear. So's my fueling. This bike has excellent brakes. I guess maybe some come from Honda not properly bled?
Maybe I got a good one?
I have to agree, even though my Combined ABS (C-ABS) brakes come from the VFR not the FireBlade. They are sublime and very powerful with excellent feel.
Fuelling is superb, glitch free and very easy to live with, which is why I'm loathe to tinker and fudge things up!
(04-02-2014, 07:55 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I thought my Griso had excellent brakes until I rode my CB1100. Brakes are great. Fueling seems to be spot on (not that I don't think it could be improved; just don't feel a need for it). I do think the rear brake pedal intrudes too far into the foot peg area making it way too easy to ride the rear brake without knowing.
Yes. I've been thinking about a thumb brake conversion for the rear (would not have that problem) but for a street bike, it's not such a good idea.
(04-02-2014, 07:55 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I thought my Griso had excellent brakes until I rode my CB1100. Brakes are great. Fueling seems to be spot on (not that I don't think it could be improved; just don't feel a need for it). I do think the rear brake pedal intrudes too far into the foot peg area making it way too easy to ride the rear brake without knowing.
The proper position for your foot, considering the placement of the pegs (under your butt), is with the balls of your feet on the pegs. In that position, your foot couldn't possibly touch the brake pedal, unless your name is Shaquille.
First thing in the morning or after my bike sits for at least a few hours there is extra resistance in the front brake lever for the first squeeze and it doesn't work as well. I probably have a little air in there too. Over 6500 miles and its been like that as long as i can remember.
(04-03-2014, 04:38 PM)AzBob_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (04-02-2014, 07:55 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I thought my Griso had excellent brakes until I rode my CB1100. Brakes are great. Fueling seems to be spot on (not that I don't think it could be improved; just don't feel a need for it). I do think the rear brake pedal intrudes too far into the foot peg area making it way too easy to ride the rear brake without knowing.
The proper position for your foot, considering the placement of the pegs (under your butt), is with the balls of your feet on the pegs. In that position, your foot couldn't possibly touch the brake pedal, unless your name is Shaquille.
The proper position for your foot, considering the placement of the pegs (under your butt), is with the balls of your feet on the pegs. In that position, your foot couldn't possibly touch the brake pedal, unless your name is Shaquille. Right, if you are hitting the superslab, but the rear brake is very important to stabilizing the chassis and minimizing throttle snatch whilst hitting the tight corners. I had the same experience, especially with heavier, touring-style boots, of not being able to quite feel if the pedal was being slightly engaged, but no issues so far. If I could drop it a quarter of an inch that would be better but it doesn't look like it has the easy adjustability I'd hoped for. So I left it alone.
Quite a few roadracers have gone with the thumb brake as it doesn't present this issue and allows both feet to be up on the pegs as you described (unless of course for shifting) and provides far greater sensitivity and control. Mick Doohan did it because of an injury but ended up liking it better, and a number of others have as well.
Check out the 2013 MotoGP review from MCN, it's got some seriously good articles about this kind of thing.
With a street bike, not such a good plan, as there are already so many other controls on the left handlebar anyway, and I'd likely wind up locking the rear brake when I went to cancel the turn signals or something like that.
