Can I remove the footbrake (I have a handbrake) on Spyder RTS.

[HagermanSpyder]

I had handbrake installed because my right foot never fit well with footbrake. Considering removing pad on footbrake lever and see how that works or remover level all together. Is it easy to just remove lever to give me more floorboard foot space?

[Peter Aawen]

Removing the lever completely is probably not a good idea, unless you can work out some way to ensure the brake lever micro-switch will still work as necessary to avoid Brake Failure Warnings &/or Limp Home Mode speed & rev restrictions???

That's aside from any Design Rule &/or local authority regulation breaches it may entail - here in Oz you can legally add a handbrake, but can't legally remove the Aust Design Rule specified Foot Brake/pedal - even if you never use it!?!?


Oh, and welcome to the Forum & posting!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Removing the lever completely is probably not a good idea, unless you can work out some way to ensure the brake lever micro-switch will still work as necessary to avoid Brake Failure Warnings &/or Limp Home Mode speed & rev restrictions???

That's aside from any Design Rule &/or local authority regulation breaches it may entail - here in Oz you can legally add a handbrake, but can't legally remove the Aust Design Rule specified Foot Brake/pedal - even if you never use it!?!?


Oh, and welcome to the Forum & posting!

.... and in the US you CAN NOT legally remove it ...... I wouldn't do it even if legal .... JMHO .... Mike

[HagermanSpyder]

Only reason I was considering removing the footbrake was to give my right foot more space to feel comfortiable(move around). I'm going to remove the rubber footbrake cover and see if that makes any difference. Thanks for info.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Can you operate the foot brake with your foot at all? If so I think you need to leave it as is in case you need to do a panic stop. I don't know but I'd be skeptical if you could stop the Spyder as quickly with the hand brake only as you can with the foot brake.

[Peteoz]

Just as an aside, Hagerman, I removed the rubber pad from my footbrake on my ‘21 RT due to limited ankle flex with loooong legs and size 15 boots. Even that small change does indeed give you more wriggle room on the floorboards……and I have not experienced any issues operating the now metal footbrake in any kind of stop. (although I did put a couple of coats of truck bed rubberised paint on it)

Pete

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Only reason I was considering removing the footbrake was to give my right foot more space to feel comfortiable(move around). I'm going to remove the rubber footbrake cover and see if that makes any difference. Thanks for info.

If the sole of the shoe is WET or worse has OIL on it .....good luck keeping your foot on the Pedal ..... Mike

[mikecronis]

I can't even barely reach the footbrake, it's so far forward. I think there's solutions to that.

[gkamer]

Only reason I was considering removing the footbrake was to give my right foot more space to feel comfortiable(move around). I'm going to remove the rubber footbrake cover and see if that makes any difference. Thanks for info.

Have you considered installing highway pegs to give you an additional riding position for your feet?

[Jdr00ejr]

.... and in the US you CAN NOT legally remove it ...... I wouldn't do it even if legal .... JMHO .... Mike

Can you site your source stating that it's illegal to remove it in the US?

[HagermanSpyder]

I removed the rubber footbrake pad cover and will try that for a while. Now I feel the foot brake lever move (on the side of my foot) when I apply the handbrake. No big deal. I like the floor boards better than foot pegs, so will keep them. Floorboards allow me to move foot postion more. Only simple solution, I think, would be to cut off the end of the footbrake pedal right angle end section. I've not had to make any emergency quick stops yet, so will keep everything as it is and see how it goes. Maybe in an emergency I will hit the footbrake before using the handbrake???? I have found that I can use right foot to press end of brake pedal to disengage cruise control. That is handy.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Can you site your source stating that it's illegal to remove it in the US?

Can you site your source stating that it's ....LEGAL .... to remove it in the US ?? .... or in any other country in the world ???...... Mike

[2dogs]

Just a suggestion, if you need a little more room to be comfortable, pop up the rubber footboard pad and add a small extension. Play around with the size of it and its material, wood, plastic or metal. Attach it with a couple of small bolts going through the footboard and when you replace the rubber pad you'll never see the heads of the small bolts. That's how I attached my homemade highway pegs. Works very well.

[Little Blue]

...Welcome to the Spyder Forum. I hope you get some some good Tips on this issue with your Foot Brake.
Have a Blessed Day My Friend. ........

[Jdr00ejr]

Can you site your source stating that it's ....LEGAL .... to remove it in the US ?? .... or in any other country in the world ???...... Mike

Now that's funny right there. You stated

.... and in the US you CAN NOT legally remove it ......

Because I asked you to site your source you want me to prove it is legal? LOL! I don't have to prove it's LEGAL. There isn't a law stating "You may remove you footbrake on your Spyder If...." just as there isn't a LAW stating It is illegal to remove your footbrake on your Spyder. Please feel free to prove me wrong with actual facts/references instead of simply reversing the question.

I'd be happy to talk to any police officer about how the Handbrake can stop me safely - allowing me to pass my Motorcycle Skills Test (in Indiana) just the same as the footbrake. And I'd ask that officer to cite the source telling me it's illegal as well. Until such a source has been cited, I have no reason to believe your statement that it is illegal.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

...just as there isn't a LAW stating It is illegal to remove your footbrake on your Spyder. Please feel free to prove me wrong with actual facts/references instead of simply reversing the question.

There is this requirement:

S5.1.7 Three-wheeled motorcycles of categories 3-5. Each category 3-5 motorcycle shall be equipped with:

(a) A parking brake system; and

(b) A foot actuated service brake system which operates the brakes on all wheels by way of either:

(1) A split service brake system; or

(2) A CBS and a secondary brake system, which may be the parking brake system.

You'll find this at: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 49 - Transportation Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation CHAPTER V - NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571 - FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Subpart B - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards § 571.122 Standard No. 122; Motorcycle brake systems.

Spyders are in the category 3-5, three wheels symmetrically arranged with engine over 50 cc.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

There is this requirement:

You'll find this at: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 49 - Transportation Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation CHAPTER V - NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571 - FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Subpart B - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards § 571.122 Standard No. 122; Motorcycle brake systems.

Spyders are in the category 3-5, three wheels symmetrically arranged with engine over 50 cc.

Thanks IMS you have an Amazing talent for finding less known or obscure laws relating to Spyders ....... and I'm guessing I won't get an apology from ( unnamed ) ........ Mike

[Jdr00ejr]

There is this requirement:

You'll find this at: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 49 - Transportation Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation CHAPTER V - NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 571 - FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS Subpart B - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards § 571.122 Standard No. 122; Motorcycle brake systems.

Spyders are in the category 3-5, three wheels symmetrically arranged with engine over 50 cc.

Thank you for this. I humbly stand corrected.

Thanks IMS you have an Amazing talent for finding less known or obscure laws relating to Spyders ....... and I'm guessing I won't get an apology from ( unnamed ) ........ Mike

I came here to apologize - but I see you've already judged me before I had the chance. Hope you feel like the bigger better man.

[HagermanSpyder]

I did remove the rubber foot cover and like it better. Will probably get a pair of foot pegs to extend my legs and give my legs a different riding position. I do have a little right hip pain issue with certain leg position from time to time. Wish the seat was more narrow, like the old goldwings.

[ThreeWheels]

I had handbrake installed because my right foot never fit well with footbrake. Considering removing pad on footbrake lever and see how that works or remover level all together. Is it easy to just remove lever to give me more floorboard foot space?

I'm not sure which system you have installed.
The only hand brake I'm familiar with isn't a separate brake at all. It mounts to the foot brake lever and gives you an alternate way to operate the foot brake. Removing the foot brake lever will eliminate all brakes.

[Jdr00ejr]

I'm not sure which system you have installed.
The only hand brake I'm familiar with isn't a separate brake at all. It mounts to the foot brake lever and gives you an alternate way to operate the foot brake. Removing the foot brake lever will eliminate all brakes.

It actually mounts to the rear of the foot break setup - pushing forward on the foot brake setup behind the scenes - it doesn't actually use the "pedal portion". That said, you could remove the "pedal portion" of that brake setup without removing the out of site portion and what they ISCI Handbrake uses. That said, as discussed above and found by "IdahoMtnSpyder" - specifically as written - this would not be legal. I'd be curious to compare this to modifications to an Automobile for hand controls instead of feet controls for those that need it. I'm not sure how this would be different.

[Peter Aawen]

It actually mounts to the rear of the foot break setup - pushing forward on the foot brake setup behind the scenes - it doesn't actually use the "pedal portion". That said, you could remove the "pedal portion" of that brake setup without removing the out of site portion and what they ISCI Handbrake uses. That said, as discussed above and found by "IdahoMtnSpyder" - specifically as written - this would not be legal. I'd be curious to compare this to modifications to an Automobile for hand controls instead of feet controls for those that need it. I'm not sure how this would be different.

I believe the laws in your country are the same as those in mine & most other countries about this (in that they pretty much all comply with the International Agreements on Motor Vehicle Design & Manufacture ) - there's no difference between motor cycles & motor cars, or light trucks & heavy trucks for that matter! When you install hand controls in any road going motor vehicle that in it's normal configuration has functions controlled via foot pedals/controls, you are required to maintain the foot controls in full operational condition & the hand controls must be installed in a way that won't impede the operation/use of the vehicle by a fully foot-abled person!

Apart from anything else, this means that anyone who can drive the 'normal' vehicle can still drive the hand control modified vehicle, which amongst other things, effectively means that any service technician can safely drive your vehicle when servicing it, and you aren't restricted to going to a specialist service centre that has techs trained to use the hand controls - any Joe Mechanic can still drive your vehicle. And so can the rest of your family; Police Officers; Accident & Emergency Service members; Tow Operators; Parking Attendants; and all those other people who juuust might have a need at some time to drive/ride your vehicle!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for this. I humbly stand corrected.



I came here to apologize - but I see you've already judged me before I had the chance. Hope you feel like the bigger better man.

NO I don't ....... thank you for your humbleness ..... Mike

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

It actually mounts to the rear of the foot break setup - pushing forward on the foot brake setup behind the scenes - it doesn't actually use the "pedal portion". That said, you could remove the "pedal portion" of that brake setup without removing the out of site portion and what they ISCI Handbrake uses. That said, as discussed above and found by "IdahoMtnSpyder" - specifically as written - this would not be legal. I'd be curious to compare this to modifications to an Automobile for hand controls instead of feet controls for those that need it. I'm not sure how this would be different.

Nope you CANNOT remove the BRAKE pedal in a Car or truck or any other motor veh. .... and I'm very sorry I am not going to look up the various Statutes to verify ..... maybe IMS will ...... Mike

[Jdr00ejr]

Nope you CANNOT remove the BRAKE pedal in a Car or truck or any other motor veh. .... and I'm very sorry I am not going to look up the various Statutes to verify ..... maybe IMS will ...... Mike

Surely we have successfully established by now that CAN and SHOULD are different things. Physically - you CAN. As I clarified further in the quoted statement "...That said, as discussed above and found by "IdahoMtnSpyder" - specifically as written - this would not be legal."

Therefore - you CAN do it - you just SHOULDN'T do it since it would not be legal. ;-) I know many people that CAN and also DO things they SHOULDN'T. :-P