Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ninjawarrior1400 on October 03, 2011, 04:52:49 PM
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Have a 2010 with linked brakes....unlike my 08 which I preferred.....when applying the brakes..there is a significant click and a grabbing of the discs by the shoes.....and the front end of course drops down a bit with the grabbing.'
This is a pain in the butt as it is uncomfortable and adds jerkiness to all my stops...have tried to alternate and figure out a way to reduce or eliminate it....
Anyone else have this same issue...if so, are we stuck with it forever?
Ninja
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I assume you have it on the lighter setting. I feel a slight pulse in the front brake lever when applying the rear brake but other then that, no problems.
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I get the same thing on my 2010. I agree, it's a pain. Seems worse when both brakes are applied. Just using the fronts makes for a much smoother stop.
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I use both the front and rear brake in combination all of the time. The linked braking took some getting used to, but, after 12,000 miles I've become accustomed to it and generally don't notice it much any more.
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I use both the front and rear brake in combination all of the time. The linked braking took some getting used to, but, after 12,000 miles I've become accustomed to it and generally don't notice it much any more.
Pretty much my way as well, and while I notice the pulsing, I just stopped caring about it. I would have loved an "Off" button for the linked system, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards.
I've also noticed that I am becoming Connie-ized and using the foot brake less and less all the time. The computer does a damn fine job of sharing the load with front-braking only, and over time, unconsciously, I have found myself braking to a stop with my right hand only. I still use both when cruising, but mostly out of habit I think. The system keeps the suspension pretty solid.
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I have no issues with the linked braking..Getting used ti it took awhile but now I just use the back brake and let the computer calculate the front brake pressure. Also run in the heavier setting always after much testing etc. No click surging or whatever. My 2 cents.
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I get the same thing on my 2010. I agree, it's a pain. Seems worse when both brakes are applied. Just using the fronts makes for a much smoother stop.
Agreed. Kawasaki should be shot for doing such a ****-poor job of setting up their linked ABS brakes. I've had five bikes now with linked brakes and it's the only one that is not transparent.
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I'm glad I have an 09 ABS without linked brakes, I had linked brakes on my VFR and didn't care for it...
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Lovin' the linked outfit on my 2010, even after all these miles. I'd go hard linked on a track day. Still not a kawi fan though ;D
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/LR/20111003-DSC_7576.jpg)
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Has anyone verified the 2012's set-up? Just wonder if Mama Kaw did any adjustments/updates to the linked breakes.
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Has anyone verified the 2012's set-up? Just wonder if Mama Kaw did any adjustments/updates to the linked breakes.
They don't tout "improved braking" or such as one of the features. But I'm not having a prob with my '10, I doubt the Kawi designs are with their '10 either?
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How is everyone adjusting their "settings" on their brakes? I hear a light and a hard setting....what does this mean, and how do you make the adjustment on the bike and which is the best adjustment for safe stopping?
Ninja
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I'm assuming the default setting is light, that's what I use. My BMW 1200RT also had linked brakes. I HATED those because they applied way too much rear brake and chewed up rear pads like scooby snacks.
On my 2010 C14, there is interference with the foot brake and ABS so I don't apply the rear. I've had the ABS kick in before on the "light" setting so it's obviously applying more than a sufficient amount of rear brake. I believe the heavier setting is for riding two up and/or having heavy loads in the back.
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I like the "heavy" setting for tooling around town/non-aggressive riding.
Barely put pressure on the rear brake when stopping and the front responds sharply. I haven't used the front brake when tooling around town in forever, when pulling up to stop lights and such my brake/throttle hand is on my side taking a break and the rear lever/linked is doing the work :)
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How is everyone adjusting their "settings" on their brakes? I hear a light and a hard setting....what does this mean, and how do you make the adjustment on the bike and which is the best adjustment for safe stopping?
Ninja
The orange button on the top left grip labeled "K-ACT" toggles the light and heavy setting. The 2 interlocked rings on the lower right of the display indicate the mode. just 2 rings means light. 2 rings with outer rings means heavy (see the display from stevewfl's post).
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Still not a kawi fan though ;D
But where else are you going to get the mad power of KIPASS?
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Giving up control of braking still doesnt make sense to me. What happens when/if it fails? I can safely say that if the C14 of the future doesnt offer a non linked, non ABS version I will be shopping for another option. I love the modern upgrades on my '08, technology is good, I just dont want a machine that removes a skill that is as critical as braking. Create an option to disable and the 14 would be my next bike.
Without muscle memory and routine use the skills required to safely stop a motorcycle will be gone in the event a system fails. This is why I wont own another bike with ABS. If someone likes ABS, I have no issues, just dont be a hater because I dont like ABS.
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I had linked brakes on my K1200rs and I didn't like it. Of course it was a servo powered system as well. All my dislikes about linked braking we amplified. There was a drop off in braking with the engine off which was always a surprise when walking the bike in the garage. I am glad its gone.
I've heard it said that Honda's have a better feel for linked brakes?
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Any way to safely disable the linked braking option?
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Any way to safely disable the linked braking option?
Ride below 12mph?
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Ride below 12mph?
That sounds like fun 8)
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Ride below 12mph?
Bet this Harley guy wishes he would've
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/med_gallery_985_801_413117-599x399.jpg)
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There was some talk somewhere about the possibility of re-programming the computer to disable the linked system, all just conjecture as far as I know. Interesting idea about setting the system to "heavy" for around-town use; the manual suggests that the "heavy" mode is for two-up and highway use, if I'm not mistaken, as it applies both front discs and the rear disc when using the foot pedal. The "light" mode applies just one front disc.
In any case, for the guy who asked, something to keep in mind is that the two modes can't be alternated without the bike being stopped first, which is something else I object to about the system. There must be a rational reason for that, but I can't think of what it might be.
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There was some talk somewhere about the possibility of re-programming the computer to disable the linked system, all just conjecture as far as I know. Interesting idea about setting the system to "heavy" for around-town use; the manual suggests that the "heavy" mode is for two-up and highway use, if I'm not mistaken, as it applies both front discs and the rear disc when using the foot pedal. The "light" mode applies just one front disc.
In any case, for the guy who asked, something to keep in mind is that the two modes can't be alternated without the bike being stopped first, which is something else I object to about the system. There must be a rational reason for that, but I can't think of what it might be.
Mother Kawi assumes we're texting to wiminz or listening to MP3's on our mounted smart phones and don't want us concentrating on too many things at once? ;D
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Has to be liability. They probably don't want people suing them for accidentally changing the braking mode while riding, and blaming it for a crash. I also found it annoying, since KTRC can be disabled while riding (under most conditions).