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sadly thanks to arthritis in the neck, I am going to have to sell my 1200GS and buy a cruiser, and on account of depreciation costs alone it loks like a harley. Problem is I tested one yesterday and found the brakes to be truly awful. Back to the old days of my norton commando or indeed the iromn head harley I had a couple of decades ago.

It wasnt the condition of the bike tested - even though I will buy s/h , the bike I rode was a new fatboy. And it isnt just poor stopping power - the arthritis hasnt come alone and I have it in my right hand too. So the effort to apply the front brake became quite painful.

All this is leading up to a question. Is it possible to make a big improvement to the brakes. The bike I will buy will be 2 years or so old in order to get abs, which in my view is an essential. That seems to limit the ability to change calipers leaving only the ability to change pads.

Any ideas. Or anyone know who I can talk to?

Is it not worth changing the lines? Also there may be something for disabled riders when I broke my hands I had to look into it and you can get lots of foot operated stuff

I thought your BMW had power assisted brakes? I'm pretty sure the later models do. Buggered if I know how they work.

So my thoughts are see if you can get a BMW type system for the HD. Probably in the too hard and too expensive bracket though.

Another thought is some sort of linked brake system, so you can boost your lever action with the brake pedal.

Linked brakes will be standard on all new bikes come 2016.

I'd try another. Maybe it was that particular HD as I've ridden a V-rod and night rod special and both had excellent brakes. I've also ridden a sportster but the less said about that the better. However, again, the brakes weren't market leading but perfectly adequate.

there are a few companies that do specialist work on cars and bikes adapting them for all types of use, eg. linked brakes, dual purpouse pedals ( fold one pedal up and out of the way and the throttle pedal now becomes a clutch pedal for those that may have a weakened left leg ect).
Not entirely heard of for bikes to be adapted for paraplegic riders so its worth a search.
Sorry to hear you are finding it painful, glad to hear you want to keep riding !

Get a California instead. They're far cooler than anything from HD

Seriously, the later (??post-2000 up to & including the last one, the Vintage) 1100's have Brembo Goldline calipers, which as many of us here know are quite effective. And the linked braking system is very effective - might negate your perceived need for ABS?

I'd take a Guzzi over a Harley any day.

If you're determined to get a Harley (and like Mart and Keith I'd go for a Guzzi instead of a Harley like a shot), then have a look at Harrison Billet calipers. They've done aftermarket calipers for HDs for well over 20 years and I'd be surprised if they don't offer a solution for modern HDs. They used to do 4 pot and 6 pot caliper options, both of which improved the braking performance beyond belief. They bolt straight on without needing brackets.

http://www.billet.co.uk/

I would have a push bike over a Harley any day

Used to mostly stop my Guzzi with the foot pedal which worked one front disc and the rear. That and the engine braking was fine most of the time. Used the front brake lever for special occasions like when the disc was getting rusty.
I test rode a Harley then bought a Guzzi.

Triumph Thunderbird? Infinity better built than anything that's ever left the HD factory, way cheaper to service as well. Goes, stops, corners, looks good, won't rust at the first hint of moisture, other bikers will still talk to you/nod... does everything a Hardley Ableson doesn't do :-p

I have nothing agin Harleys but neither do I understand why anyone would buy one when they and the spares are hugely over-priced and there are so many other cruisers around.

I bought a Yamaha from a Harley dealer, on impulse and without a test ride, and discovered that the front caliper was seized. They were either completely incompetent or totally oblivious about how effective real motorcycle brakes should be. Or, on reflection, both because they also delivered it with under-inflated tyres and an overfilled oil tank.
I can see a Guzzi in my future one day which is more than I can say about a Harley!
I'm struggling with shoulder problems and genuinely concerned that my riding days may be numbered, so I sympathise and hope that you find something that suits you and your ailments.

MartDude wrote:Get a California instead. They're far cooler than anything from HD

As is a fridge

(both meanings of "cool" included)

Nooj wrote:Triumph Thunderbird? Infinity better built than anything that's ever left the HD factory, way cheaper to service as well. Goes, stops, corners, looks good, won't rust at the first hint of moisture, other bikers will still talk to you/nod... does everything a Hardley Ableson doesn't do :-p

I like the look of the Thunderbird but have you tried heaving one of them off its side stand? Its harder even than a Harley and ideally I would like to go lighter.

Anyone got views on the Triumph America?