Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: feelergaugephil on January 22, 2017, 09:13:04 PM

Title: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: feelergaugephil on January 22, 2017, 09:13:04 PM
Anyone come up with a fix on these stupid linked brakes?  yes I said stupid.
Came from an 09, could throw it any curve hard, this 13 driving me nuts, I'm constantly over and under braking, not happy with this linked
crap.
(I dont need your comments telling me how genius these linked systems are)  just if there's a simple fix.
thx.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: mikeyw64 on January 23, 2017, 12:11:00 AM
Anyone come up with a fix on these stupid linked brakes?  yes I said stupid.
Came from an 09, could throw it any curve hard, this 13 driving me nuts, I'm constantly over and under braking, not happy with this linked
crap.
(I dont need your comments telling me how genius these linked systems are)  just if there's a simple fix.
thx.

I'm guessing you delinked your Bird using the Jaws kit  and were looking for something similar :)

Now as I understand it the GTR system is slightly different in that it uses K-ACTS to alter the bias, wonder if something can be done software wise rather than physical?

Believe there is a "sports" setting that can be used to reduce the amount of linkage.

Failing that idf you want to do a straight swap for my 08 without linked brakes happy to accommodate lol
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: Freddy on January 23, 2017, 02:45:07 AM
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13655.135 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13655.135)

Reply #128-136
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: feelergaugephil on January 23, 2017, 11:37:06 PM
I'm guessing you delinked your Bird using the Jaws kit  and were looking for something similar :)

Now as I understand it the GTR system is slightly different in that it uses K-ACTS to alter the bias, wonder if something can be done software wise rather than physical?

Believe there is a "sports" setting that can be used to reduce the amount of linkage.

Failing that idf you want to do a straight swap for my 08 without linked brakes happy to accommodate lol

Yes my Blackbird was linked, but wasn't like this Connie,  Right now my riding style is cramped with the link brakes,   Some owners never ever use the full power of this 1400cc bike, which is no problem, if that's how you ride, awesome,  me on the other hand use it like a 1400 and ride a lot of curves, yes, if I go in too hot, back brake is my life saver, I feel these new linked brakes are hindering me.
I go to Deals Gap (Tail of the Dragon)  or N Arkanasas at least twice, those that have ridden these roads know what I'm talking about, I guess its a learning curve I'll have to eat and get used too.....
yes I'm using the lower linked brakes option low, not the double showing one on the instrument cluster.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: rrsperry on January 25, 2017, 09:05:14 AM
There is a fix, it's called buy a 15 or 16. They vastly reworked the linked programming.

Or, disable it altogether.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 25, 2017, 09:51:11 AM
Or 08/09
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: just gone on January 25, 2017, 10:48:49 AM
What Freddy said:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13655.135 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13655.135)

Reply #128-136
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: feelergaugephil on February 18, 2017, 04:23:32 AM
Ill certainly be trying that out real soon.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: PlaynInPeoria on March 01, 2017, 09:41:30 PM
I did mine the 'other way, just dc'e the rear brake from the ABS module so the brakes were unlinked but I lost ABS on the rear.  It's not a big deal in general but the other day I was braking really hard in the rain to make a corner and the ABS kicked in in the front.  I think it kicked in because the rear was locked.  If I lock up the rear, it makes the front pulse, which is some strange logic that makes no sense to me.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: Freddy on March 01, 2017, 10:44:16 PM
Then do as I did in the link above and you'll have de-linked ABS on both.   :banana

If you look thru the brake system schematics in section 1 of the service manual you may discover the 'strange logic' explained.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: jimmymac on March 02, 2017, 04:46:52 AM
Or 08/09
Don't forget about the 2010 Kawasaki Concours 1400. Offered in both ABS and TC, or not. It was the only year with the option. I also believe they weren't linked that year either.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 03:00:06 PM
Don't forget about the 2010 Kawasaki Concours 1400. Offered in both ABS and TC, or not. It was the only year with the option. I also believe they weren't linked that year either.

I am pretty sure they were linked, since the ABS for the 2010 is the same as all the other gen2 and it think it was all part of the same offering (the optional ABS system on the gen1 was not the same).
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 02, 2017, 05:37:40 PM
They were...

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2009/10/article/2010-kawasaki-concours-14-first-ride/ (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2009/10/article/2010-kawasaki-concours-14-first-ride/)
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: harry76 on March 02, 2017, 05:48:20 PM
I love the linked brakes, the trick is to use A mode and only use the front lever instead of the rear foot pedal.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 08:06:36 PM
I love the linked brakes, the trick is to use A mode and only use the front lever instead of the rear foot pedal.

Some people do like it.  I never use the rear brake [pedal] and keep it in low-linked (weakly linked) mode.  It doesn't bother me (translation: I don't care either way).  But other people do care (and I understand why).  It was stupid that Kawasaki didn't offer an "off" mode, especially since it would be nothing but a software command and cost $0 to develop and $0 to implement.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 03, 2017, 12:45:48 AM
Some people do like it.  I never use the rear brake [pedal] and keep it in low-linked (weakly linked) mode.  It doesn't bother me (translation: I don't care either way).  But other people do care (and I understand why).  It was stupid that Kawasaki didn't offer an "off" mode, especially since it would be nothing but a software command and cost $0 to develop and $0 to implement.

Surprised the bean counters ddn't jump on that and offer it as an "optional" extra, all profit ;)
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 03, 2017, 04:32:34 AM
What's really strange to me is that in the very beginning (a long long time ago), the Kwackers engineers said they didn't link the brakes on purpose.  They wanted that sporty feel.  I think the lawyers brought guns and money to the meetings on the 2010 models and forced the engineers to change the characteristics of the bike.  I have ABS on mine and it works quite well without the linked brakes.  Possibly the traction control forced it?
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: Freddy on March 03, 2017, 05:27:40 AM
Nah.  The ZX14 has ABS, TC and independent F&R brakes.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: rrsperry on March 04, 2017, 07:07:43 PM
I use the rear brake occasionally to adjust the attatude mid corner. At least on my Aprilia. Kinda like a Motogp thumb brake.

I guess it's ok for ham fisted noobs, frankly, I don't like it. Don't like it on vfr's either.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: PlaynInPeoria on March 14, 2017, 12:29:16 PM
I love the linked brakes, the trick is to use A mode and only use the front lever instead of the rear foot pedal.

But I use the rear to tighten the line in a corner if I get in hot. Your solution is ....?  Never get in hot?  Prolly not gonna happen. How do you know where the limit is if you don't go over it every once in a while?
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: maxtog on March 14, 2017, 03:28:51 PM
But I use the rear to tighten the line in a corner if I get in hot. Your solution is ....?  Never get in hot?  Prolly not gonna happen. How do you know where the limit is if you don't go over it every once in a while?

In the weakly linked mode (which is probably still too strong for many people), you can still use the rear pedal and it will activate mostly the rear brake.  So as long as you are not in way too hot, it should still be, generally, OK.  But you are right that there is just no way to really know how much front is being added.

Speaking for myself, I have no idea where the limit is, and I don't care to find out :)  But that doesn't change my stance that Kawasaki should have offered at least one more mode- OFF.  Preferably two more so there would be Strong (probably like our current strong), Medium (probably like our current weak) , Weak (which is weaker than our weak), and Off.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 14, 2017, 03:35:36 PM
How about mostly off?   That would be between weak and off.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: maxtog on March 14, 2017, 03:36:34 PM
How about mostly off?   That would be between weak and off.

Or even "substantially off"?  :)
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 14, 2017, 04:38:32 PM
 ;D
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: gPink on March 14, 2017, 06:16:32 PM
Or even "substantially off"?  :)
That would get you a ride on the short bus.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: wb57 on March 15, 2017, 08:13:32 AM
I am pretty sure they were linked, since the ABS for the 2010 is the same as all the other gen2 and it think it was all part of the same offering (the optional ABS system on the gen1 was not the same).

My 2010 is linked.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: feelergaugephil on March 23, 2017, 04:33:02 AM
Wonderful machine, downfall is brakes, I have the fix which was delivered about 2 weeks ago, but just had no time to fit it, I will soon though.
Title: Re: Linked brakes fix?
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 23, 2017, 08:34:25 AM
Wonderful machine, downfall is brakes...

Not on the 08/09 bikes..