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Cable hand brake

GA-SPYDER

New member
Just wondering.
I am still using my cable hand brake (have steped on the foot brake maybe 30 times in the last two + years) and was wondering how many others are still using it. I know that lamonster has switched to the ISCI unit, but, for me it was too much money and I can't complain about the reliability of what I have.:thumbup:
 
I have had a hand brake (of the cable design I made) since 1/08 and it still works great. :clap:

I can make the ABS kick in at will, and have never had a problem with it at all. :thumbup:

MM
 
Just wondering.
I am still using my cable hand brake (have steped on the foot brake maybe 30 times in the last two + years) and was wondering how many others are still using it. I know that lamonster has switched to the ISCI unit, but, for me it was too much money and I can't complain about the reliability of what I have.:thumbup:
It's good to hear it's still working for you. :thumbup: When I first posted my hand brake on youtube I had tons of request for it but never felt good about recommending it to someone who couldn't use their legs. The problem I have is I've had too many cables break on me to trust it 100% and I could never recommend it as your only brake and could only recommend it as a backup. :lecturef_smilie:

I'm thankful that ISCI took on the project and did it right. I have no problem recommending their hand brake setup. :thumbup: I still wish that BRP would add the hand brake on all their Spyders so motorcycle guys like me can keep their good habit of grabbing the front brake first. :doorag:
 
I still wish that BRP would add the hand brake on all their Spyders so motorcycle guys like me can keep their good habit of grabbing the front brake first. :doorag:

AMEN to that. I have no idea why this isn't an option... seems a no-brainer. :sour: As a current bike rider, I'm not fond of the idea of a foot-only brake.

~SM
 
Great question. Does someone make a kit?
To the best of my knowledge, there is no cable-operated kit available in the US. Probably due to the high liability, for the reasons that Lamont spoke of. The ISCI kit is expensive, but it is well engineered, and works very well. If I needed or wanted a hand brake, it is the one I would buy.
 
It's good to hear it's still working for you. :thumbup: When I first posted my hand brake on youtube I had tons of request for it but never felt good about recommending it to someone who couldn't use their legs. The problem I have is I've had too many cables break on me to trust it 100% and I could never recommend it as your only brake and could only recommend it as a backup. :lecturef_smilie:

I'm thankful that ISCI took on the project and did it right. I have no problem recommending their hand brake setup. :thumbup: I still wish that BRP would add the hand brake on all their Spyders so motorcycle guys like me can keep their good habit of grabbing the front brake first. :doorag:

I completely agree that the factory should have put a hand brake on the Spyder.

I recently installed the ISCI unit and while it is well made, I do have a few issues with it. The lever is a long reach from the hand grip and I have pretty long fingers. I removed the grip puppies from the right side and that helps a little.

Second, I have to pull that lever a long way before I get any brake contact. Just today I had the dealer look at the possibility of raising the point of contact on the brake pedal but they don't see a problem that they can act on. I have to pull the lever about 75% of the way to the hand grip before I make contact. That's not very usable for me. I'll contact ISCI next and see if they have any help. :gaah:

I really like the cable system built by the gentleman from UK. It was really well designed I thought. I'm not very worried about a cable after riding for 43 years. That hand brake also will not be my only way to stop.

I've printed off that UK design and may try to build it after all. I'd sure like the ISCI unit to work well for me. It is very well made and and a simple installation.

My test mule continues. I had the DPS replaced today. This weekend will be a test ride. How good is that??
 
I didn't see the UK one. Is it much different than the one that Lamonster designed?
Also, I have found that even with my cable operated unit, it has a long reach to the lever, in order to get enough throw for the brake pedal.
As Baja Ron said, mine will not lock up the brakes.
 
I have had a hand brake (of the cable design I made) since 1/08 and it still works great. :clap:

I can make the ABS kick in at will, and have never had a problem with it at all. :thumbup:

MM
Good to hear, Evan. Did you build something similar to Lamonster's original set up?
 
AMEN to that. I have no idea why this isn't an option... seems a no-brainer. :sour: As a current bike rider, I'm not fond of the idea of a foot-only brake.

~SM

I think BRP sticks to their guns, because the Spyder was not designed as a motorcycle. They market it as a roadster. How many other roadsters have hand brakes? I see the point of the motorcyclists that want one, but there are many differences between riding a spyder and riding a motorcycle. To me, it seems the hand brake is just one on a list of many. You know you're riding a spyder, so react appropriately. Besides, even with a hand brake, you are not practicing the skill and touch it takes manually control bias and avoid locking one tire or the other.
 
I think BRP sticks to their guns, because the Spyder was not designed as a motorcycle. They market it as a roadster. How many other roadsters have hand brakes? I see the point of the motorcyclists that want one, but there are many differences between riding a spyder and riding a motorcycle. To me, it seems the hand brake is just one on a list of many. You know you're riding a spyder, so react appropriately. Besides, even with a hand brake, you are not practicing the skill and touch it takes manually control bias and avoid locking one tire or the other.

Eh, call it what they will, it's more ATV than "roadster"... ATVs don't handle like bikes either, but they still have hand brakes. ~SM
 
It can't... you have ABS. :shocked:

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Your right. I meant to say what Evan had posted.
In order to get more brake pedal movement, I have moved the connection point on the brake pedal bracket closer to the pivot point of the pedal. That made a big difference. I found a brake lever that matched the length of the clutch lever and that helped with the additional force needed. I inspect the cable and keep the cable and attachment points well lubricated. Have not broken the cable yet. Still the original cable from my M109. At this point, even with the new lever, I only have about $40.00 in it.
The other point that folks are missing is when adding highway pegs, for safety reasons, the hand brake, hydraulic or cable, is very important. Due to knee problems, highway pegs are the only reason that I have been able to ride the Spyder for the last two years.:thumbup:
 
Eh, call it what they will, it's more ATV than "roadster"... ATVs don't handle like bikes either, but they still have hand brakes. ~SM

Not to dwell on this too much, but it would make a terrible ATV if that's what you want to call it. With roughly 6 inches of ground clearance and a nanny that will kick in on something as tame as a gravel road, I doubt it is ready for trails or any other rough terrain. So, not even close to an All-Terrain Vehicle. I think they were wise to give it a unique name, regardless of whether or not we agree that "roadster" is the most appropriate name.
 
WoW ISCI are Smoking Crack if they actually think there products are worth that much money. I know R&D costs bank but come on 1250.00 for a hand brake or 750.00 for some billitt footboards. Wow. Unbelievable :-(( Not worth it to the average Rider u can dam near buy another Spyder for what they want for a few of there Mods :-((
 
WoW ISCI are Smoking Crack if they actually think there products are worth that much money. I know R&D costs bank but come on 1250.00 for a hand brake or 750.00 for some billitt footboards. Wow. Unbelievable :-(( Not worth it to the average Rider u can dam near buy another Spyder for what they want for a few of there Mods :-((

Just my $0.02... you forget about liability insurance. I don't know for sure but I suspect it's a pretty penny to cover a braking system... probably the reason that no one else has one on the market, too.

Look at private aircraft... a large chunk of the sales price nowadays is for the liability insurance. It certainly doesn't cost $150+k for an aluminum tube with redundant parts.

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