Rear Braking

[Cantrell]

Has anyone had much success improving their rear brakes over Buell OEM? I realize there is only so much you can expect on a motorcycle without locking them up but I currently get better rear braking on my mountain bikes.

 

[Jornum1]

Do a search on the brembo rear caliper mod. It swaps a 2 piston caliper out and also get hidden in the swing arm. Dark horse and ASB sell the bracket. You can buy the calipers on ebay.
A few other guys like NittoSs have also done a rear master cylinder swap.

 

[Cantrell]

That's good news to me. Thanks for the info.

 

[driftingswiftly]

You are right about only expecting so much tho. You may be able to improve the system to work harder when pressing lighter, or wear out more slowly, but in the end you will get just as much affect as if you were to push a little harder with the stocks. It all comes down to tires. Again wear can be improved, but the friction with the tire and road is the only thing that ups max breaking. Your maintain bike weighs less, thats why it has better breaking.

 

[nitto12ss]

Below are the links to the rear caliper swap and the MC swap. This setup will improve the responsiveness of the brakes and provide better modulation, but like you and others have said it all comes down to where the rubber meets the road. The cheapest way to improve the rear brake would be to upgrade the MC only IMO.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Brembo-brake-mod

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/DIY-Brembo-Rear-Master-Cylinder#bbcodes

 

[maybebuell]

metric rear brakes are the same way...there that way for a reason..if your rear worked as well as the front chances are you would be hitting the road more often the not

 

[strmvt]

My 12r has a rear brake I never knew that =P

 

[driftingswiftly]

hahaha yes sir it does. you activate it by rolling your right ankle down so that your foot pushes that cute little lever. Actually, you can get better traction on the front wheel for better cornering if you feather the rear brake properly. However, BE CAREFUL when trying this! It is a touchy racers trick that can easily leaver you washed out if you are even a tiny bit over zealous.

 

[03fire9r]

Actually, you can get better traction on the front wheel for better cornering if you feather the rear brake properly. However, BE CAREFUL when trying this! It is a touchy racers trick that can easily leaver you washed out if you are even a tiny bit over zealous.

Yeah an inexpierenced rider trying this will be "driftingswiftly" alright

 

[strmvt]

hehe I use it occasionally to tighten my turn if I need to

 

[driftingswiftly]

well done 03fire9r. thats how i do!

 

[fahren]

Be sure your front brake is in good condition. Use your rear and front brake together to come to a full stop, just to get in the habit in case of emergency (using both brakes for an emergency stop stops you in less distance). Use the rear brake at a stop light/sign, not your front (you don't want to damage your front rotor by clamping down on it in one place when it and the pads are hot). As noted above, tail braking for the experienced fast rider (not for me).

Don't bother trying to get better braking from the rear.

 

[driftingswiftly]

I don't think using the front brake at a light would ever do any damage. They don't get nearly hot enough to damage that 1/8 inch stainless. Also, rear braking is safer, its just less effective. Its much better to have your back wheel break traction than your front. Thats why you can hold rolling burnouts.

 

[Cantrell]

Thanks for the info guys. I have test driven other bikes (CBR 1000RR, Ducati Monster, Ninja) with better lower speed rear braking so that's what sparked my interest in improving the Buell's. I agree that having a less effective rear brake is good at times, but in theory, having a better rear brake will reduce straight line stopping distance.

 

[Sidewinder]

Yea. If you need to stop that fast you're usually up on your front wheel anyways. The one time I really got on the rears for an emergency stop I ended up drifting around a SUV's back end. The bastard pulled out in front of me and if I didn't lock up that rear and slide around him I doubt I'd have my bike today.

 

[racepro716]

I'm kinda with STRMVT, what good is the rear brake when the rear tire is in the air? Ok,Ok, settle down,I know, that's a racetrack only thing. Wayne