Are sport-touring bikes really comfortable?

[Clint]

Good contribution.

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Originally Posted by Clint

Houston, we have a problem. Check your math, bud, paying close attention to the "more than" and "less than" modifiers.

I don't mean to be argumentative. I just hold that most riders don't use the front enough, and old information is partly the cause.

Clint, I did. Front is NEVER less than 80%. Rear is NEVER more than 40%. If the front is NEVER less than 80, then how can can rear possibly be more than 20%.

I agree with most riders not using the front brake enough, could be we're all used to using our feet to stop a car.

So many things affect the actual ratio of front/rear at one time, that to try and say it's 80:20 or 70:30, etc is pretty worthless. All I need to know is the bike stops:
___________________________________________ here with just rear
___________________here with just front
___________and here with both

Another good point was brought up on another motorcycle safety website, to paraphrase:

Most riders, except for the most experienced street riders and racers, have their riding skills significantly deteriorate in a panic situation. Under those circumstances, if the riders tries to get maximum effectiveness from both brakes, he's liable to have less than effective stopping power from both. It's better to concentrate on using one brake properly(front). That contradicts some other things I've read, but it's certainly food for thought.

[intimid8er]

Clint.

Not for nothing.

It's been well documented on this site that the M50 rear brake is pure crap. Useless. Might not as well be on the bike bad. Stats. No stats. Doesn't matter. The front brake is schlock too. Wimpy single disk with twin pistons. Very crummy feel and response for a h-e-a-v-y bike. IIRC it's 542 dry, and 630 wet. Of course, I could be wrong. The exact amount is neither here nor there. It's a mid to high five to low six hundred pound bike, equipped with brakes that seem to be an afterthought from the corporate parts bin. (That are more suited to a GZ250.)


Also, just a thought. The brakes seem highly out of place with the styling theme of the bike. With the lines of the bike, and the marketing statements from the corporate literature, one would expect at least maybe a twin disc system to go with the beefy, muscular look.


Adam...FWIW....I drummed out a rim shot for ya on my desk IRT that post of yours!

[Clint]

Fair enough. I haven't ridden one. Anyone wanna bet that I can't lock the front and the rear (independently) on one?

07M50..., (<40) + (>80) can certainly equal 100 (or less). No one mentioned 20%. Not sure where you got your logic training. Texas, maybe?

[Clint]

Originally Posted by 07M50zAllDaWay

Most riders, except for the most experienced street riders and racers, have their riding skills significantly deteriorate in a panic situation. Under those circumstances, if the riders tries to get maximum effectiveness from both brakes, he's liable to have less than effective stopping power from both. It's better to concentrate on using one brake properly(front). That contradicts some other things I've read, but it's certainly food for thought.

We agree there. I'd just add that the rear brake is maybe half the effective braking power for a few milliseconds while the front suspension loads. As soon as it does, and the front brake is at or near the threshold of grip, weight transfer takes almost all braking grip from the rear. Under that situation, it will be easy to lock the rear.

That's why I suggest that it's probably not as inadequate as some think. If you're trying to slow the bike substantially with it, you ain't doin' it right.

If I was going to upgrade brakes, I'd add stainless lines and better pads to the front.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Adam...FWIW....I drummed out a rim shot for ya on my desk IRT that post of yours!

That is all i can ask for... if you live 1500 miles closer i'd buy you a beer

[intimid8er]

Buy me one anyways.

Drink it.

Don't drink it.

Do with it what you will.

Pour it out for my memory. It's all good.

[tricker]

just for you tim.. i'll have like 15 beers in your honor this weekend. literally

wedding for college friend.. aka huge catholic style kegger

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by tricker

just for you tim.. i'll have like 15 beers in your honor this weekend. literally

wedding for college friend.. aka huge catholic style kegger

Tell me that is one for every one you'll be drinking just tonight alone before ten o'clock. Otherwise, Id've lost all respect for you.

[tricker]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Tell me that is one for every one you'll be drinking just tonight alone before ten o'clock. Otherwise, Id've lost all respect for you.

you have no faith?

[intimid8er]

Of course I do!

Hell...at a weekend wedding.....

I expect that to be your appetizer before you walk out the door...

[tricker]

if i'm still standing at the end of the night, or passed out in "my own" hotel room... i'll consider it a huge failure

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by tricker

if i'm still standing at the end of the night, or passed out in "my own" hotel room... i'll consider it a huge failure

Now..now...

There's absolutely no shame in drinking like a Viking and going home alone.


NSFW....turn the volume down before hand.

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I AGREE

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Originally Posted by Clint

07M50..., (<40) + (>80) can certainly equal 100 (or less). No one mentioned 20%. Not sure where you got your logic training. Texas, maybe?

Clint, I'll try and simplify, so even if you only hold the dumb end of the tape measurer you will understand. The article you posted said the front brake is NEVER less than 80%
front > or = 80

it also said the rear is never more that 40%
rear < or = 40

If front > or equal to 80, how can the rear ever provide more than 20%

Maybe you learned what the word NEVER means in Texas???
Or perhaps it was math, and trust me on this, 80+ anything over 20 is more than 100.

[Clint]

Mmm-kay. You're talking about the whole process of braking. I'm talking about the conditions at the threshold of traction, where the rear will not offer more than 20%. I see what you're saying, but it has very little real effect unless the rider is afraid of using the front brake (which a majority probably are).

In that light, your point is more valid than mine. I submit. *struggles to come up with another Texas-bash*

[jgreth]

My bike has a front brake?!?!

Holy sh**!!

[Clint]

It's just for burnouts.

[jgreth]

Originally Posted by Clint

It's just for burnouts.

Ohhhhhhhhhh.... that one!! Okay.

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Originally Posted by Clint

Mmm-kay. You're talking about the whole process of braking. I'm talking about the conditions at the threshold of traction, where the rear will not offer more than 20%. I see what you're saying, but it has very little real effect unless the rider is afraid of using the front brake (which a majority probably are).

In that light, your point is more valid than mine. I submit. *struggles to come up with another Texas-bash*

So can I buy you a beer and we can get back to the original thread....

[07M50zAllDaWay]

Originally Posted by jgreth

My bike has a front brake?!?!

Holy sh**!!

Yeah, it right under your mirr.....Holy Chit, my bike has mirrors!!!!