Linked Brakes

[Lord Popgun]

Just so you know, Ferret’s rear master cylinder did not lock up his rear brake. The Secondary Master Cylinder (SMC) mounted on the left front fork did the deed.

[jtopiso_imp]

I'll pile on too. My RT has linked brakes using the front brake lever, but allows rear brake activation by using only the brake pedal. Like Gone in 60 and the ferret, I don't even notice.

That's interesting. Applying some rear when using the front is good practice. Being able to use the rear only, is sometimes a must.

If linked brakes systems can do this, then I think is something good to have.

However, as you lose some ability to independently modulate the brakes, I think linked brakes should be only installed with ABS.

PS: I saw the VFR linked brakes system once, and it was interesting that the braking pressure sent to the rear was proportional to the braking torque reacted on the front callipers mounting, and not directly proportional to the force on the front brake lever. This is a good way of making sure that the system will never "lock the rear first", even if you have oil on your front disks!