K-ACT Standard or Combined Mode...which do you ride with?

[stewart]

Kawasaki's explanation is straight forward per below...but which do you ride with?

I'm finding that Combined Mode gives me a more consistent brake feel (front & rear) than Standard. I also find it pulls up harder.

• The rider can choose one of two modes to suit riding situation or rider preference: The linked effect from front brake lever actuation is largely the same in both modes, but the linked effect when actuating the rear brake pedal is quite different
• In Standard Mode, rider control is prioritized, with linked effect reduced at initial pedal stroke for natural sensation when sport riding
• In High Combined Mode, there’s a more pronounced linked effect from the beginning of the pedal stroke – ideal for touring and two-up highway use

[ta-kid]

To tell you the truth I did not notice much differance either way.Mind you I have not had to brake that hard much.

[Scaffolder]

I can't stand either mode to be completely honest with you. I hate the feeling of it when you use your foot pedal and lever when you are stuck in traffic. It gives the bike a jerky brake feel when the two controllers are giving the same signal. I had the dealer check it out and says that it is acting normal. I don't think this is something any of us needed or wanted, but they should have left a way of turning it all the way off. I keep it set on the softer setting and try not to use my front brake in traffic.

[stevewfl]

in high combined that rear pedal is touchy and grabby and sinks the front fast.

In traffic putting around like i'm, on a behemoth sport-tourer i like high combined. Pull in clutch, down shift, and give throttlehand a break by my side instead of fooling with from brake.

extremely aggressive twisties riding, hot braking into turns and riding the extreme edge of the michelins trying to to upset the bike, I use standard. wouldn't have it any other way

[Scaffolder]

Steve- Do you ever feel it get grabby in the lighter mode? I love this 2010 way more than the 08 I totaled. The brake feel is my only complaint. I have put on 5800 miles this year and am going to try to keep up with you again. Last year we were neck and neck and then I crashed it in November. I rode 26,000 miles last year. I am hoping to hit 30,000 this year. We'll see.

[jjsC6]

I can't stand either mode to be completely honest with you. I hate the feeling of it when you use your foot pedal and lever when you are stuck in traffic. It gives the bike a jerky brake feel when the two controllers are giving the same signal. I had the dealer check it out and says that it is acting normal. I don't think this is something any of us needed or wanted, but they should have left a way of turning it all the way off. I keep it set on the softer setting and try not to use my front brake in traffic.

I agree completely (except that I use my front brake all the time).  Kawasaki really needs to fix this.  It is one of a couple of reasons I'm having trouble loving the bike as much as I'd like to.  I've now owned five bikes with ABS/linked brakes.  The rest of them have been extremely seamless.  The Kawasaki system flat out sucks.  And I've read nothing to indicate that they either know about the problem or have fixed it.

[Mister Tee]

I also only use my front brake all the time - I see no point in applying the rear with your foot if it's already being applied for you.  Application of the rear with the front seems to cause a negative pulsing interaction which is jerky and unsettling.

I had linked brakes with ABS on my Beemer (1200RT) and I didn't like that setup either.  They put too much bias on the rear.

[jjsC6]

I also only use my front brake all the time - I see no point in applying the rear with your foot if it's already being applied for you.  Application of the rear with the front seems to cause a negative pulsing interaction which is jerky and unsettling.

I had linked brakes with ABS on my Beemer (1200RT) and I didn't like that setup either.  They put too much bias on the rear.

The reason for using both brakes is if you are coming to a stop it allows you to ease off the front brake completely and only use the rear brake to balance the bike at very slow speeds.  It's basically the friction/brake method that requires the use of the rear brake by itself.

[Scaffolder]

Atleast I am not the only one complaining about this issue. I was begining to think it was just me.

[stevewfl]

Steve- Do you ever feel it get grabby in the lighter mode? I love this 2010 way more than the 08 I totaled. The brake feel is my only complaint. I have put on 5800 miles this year and am going to try to keep up with you again. Last year we were neck and neck and then I crashed it in November. I rode 26,000 miles last year. I am hoping to hit 30,000 this year. We'll see.

yea, in combined high.  In standard mode I can use brakes in the turns while dragging pegs all day and then some without upsetting the bike in the midst of the turn. Mine is at 32,000 miles.

[Mister Tee]

The reason for using both brakes is if you are coming to a stop it allows you to ease off the front brake completely and only use the rear brake to balance the bike at very slow speeds.  It's basically the friction/brake method that requires the use of the rear brake by itself.

I see what you're saying, but I don't use the rear brake for that.  I use the front.  I'm also a sport bike track instructor, and I am conditioned to the use of the front brake only.  Yes the C14 is a heavy bike and it needs some rear application too, I get it, but I find the automated rear application limiting in high speeds.

[atlantaM3]

depends. just me - std mode. two up, combined. Personal opinion - I like the combined mode when running in the mtns 2-up. I can brake hard going in to turns without getting too much front end dive. results in a nice turn set up and a relaxed passenger since the bike isn't pogoing around. I agree it is a bit sudden/grabby a low speeds, but feel that is an easy trade given the braking performance.

[stewart]

Thanks for the various responses. I agree that it grabs more, but I find that translates to feel and consistency, at least for me. When using the std mode I find that the braking result depends on timing of front/rear application and the sun god. And you get that weird pumping/throbbing senstion...which is very unsettling.

I'll keep experimenting...but so far it seems to be working...for me.

[Bourne2Ride]

I haven't tried Hi combined mode much. It was too grabby for me and unsettling when I tried trail braking into a tight left hander that I'd taken before in low combined mode. front compressed and made me a little nervous. Ever since that experience I've used low combine almost always. it feels most normal to me.

[katata1100]

I prefer the high linked mode. I use the front and jam on the rear pedal, when I feel the abs kick in, that's the signal to grab more front brake.

[accbiker]

Kawasaki's explanation is straight forward per below...but which do you ride with?

I'm finding that Combined Mode gives me a more consistent brake feel (front & rear) than Standard. I also find it pulls up harder.

Stewart:

I agree with your observations.  Initially I kept it on Standard, but once I "found" the combined setting, I haven't switched it back.  I may this summer when I am up in the mountains fooling around, but for my day to day commuting needs, Combined is for me.

-David
Athens, GA

[CADMAN97]

I agree completely (except that I use my front brake all the time).  Kawasaki really needs to fix this.  It is one of a couple of reasons I'm having trouble loving the bike as much as I'd like to.  I've now owned five bikes with ABS/linked brakes.  The rest of them have been extremely seamless.  The Kawasaki system flat out sucks.  And I've read nothing to indicate that they either know about the problem or have fixed it.

I 2nd that notion!

Couldn't agree more!  My 2003 Honda VFR had linked brakes and worked 100X better, and had MUCH better feel to them. I agree Kaw needs to fix this or do away with the linked brakes all together, and let the rider determine how much rear and frt brake to apply.

To answer the posters initial question....typically high combined mode, cuz low combined feels like you have to press the rear lever to the ground to get the brakes working. But high combined mode has way too much initial bite, even when trying to slowly ease the rear pedal down. I'll prob switch it over to low combined and give it another go. Kaw, really needs to fix this setup!

[dankelly64]

Just bought 2011. Kawi really neeeds to fix this  - it ruins an otherwise perfect bike.

[Scaffolder]

+1

[Scaffolder]

Try using just the rear brake in traffic and in slow in town riding. It is very hard to adjust from what most of us are useed to, but I find at those speeds snappy feed back from the brakes when you apply front and rear at the same time. Good luck.