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I'm looking for some feedback... I bought a used '14 ST (without ABS) back in May and have noticed the front brakes are very touchy, especially at low speeds. Now I don't have much to compare to. I went from a '81 CB750C to the CB1100 and have only been riding for a few years, but it seems a little excessive. I really had to get on my 750 to stop quickly, which is my only real comparison. Is this normal for this bike? Is there a way to adjust this? I just gave my brother my '81 (hoping to hook him on riding too), so not going back and forth will help me get used to it as well. I'm more curious than anything. - Thanks
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Too be short.
Its normal
You'll get used to it (learn to use the brakes, that is).
There is no adjustment (the lever is adjustable for reach, not brake force)
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The only adjustment that I've noticed is how hard I squeeze the lever.
As a practice, whenever I get a new bike (or on a different bike), the first thing that I do is visit a deserted portion of a parking lot & check out the brakes. I adjust myself to how grabby the brakes are. The front brakes on the CB1100 feel a little more touchy than the ones on my Suzuki M109R, but that's probably more to do with the extra 200lbs on that bike & the overall layout of the bike.
As popgun said, it's something that you have to get used to. They are quite powerful and if you're used to having to get a whole handful of brake lever to stop on an older bike, they're going to feel VERY touchy. Just try it out in a parking lot (different speeds, different amounts of brake, get used to exactly where it really starts grabbing) and you'll feel much better about it.
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Exactly what Popgun said. This is just the nature of modern brakes. I went from an XJ650, which probably couldn't even lock the front brake to the CB and had a similar learning curve. My CB has shorty levers on it and I usually use 1 or 2 fingers for braking, as I find it's all it needs.
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I figured this was the case and that I just wasn't used to it... but I honestly didn't know if there was any adjustment.
I appreciate the feedback!
Thanks again
