Hand Brake Poll

[STUNMUN]

hand brake

I've been a Spyder owner since 2008 and have put almost 30K miles on it. Having ridden 2 wheeled bikes for over 40 years before "graduating" to the Spyder, I would still prefer that my Spyder had a hand brake instead of or in combination with a foot brake.

Since we now have a sizable group with a wide variety of experiences, I would be interested (and maybe BRP would also like to know) if current and potential owners would prefer to buy their Spyders with a hand brake as standard equipment. I'm not interested in retrofit as I know there are very good systems available.

Thanks for your input.

My last two bikes were a BMW GS and Wing. Both had integrated brakeing which spoiled me. The BMW with servos and with application of hand brake automatically applied 60% up front and 40% back caused me to pretty much rely on the hand brake. When I bought :spyder2: grabbing air became norm for a while. Even though I have over 4k miles now I still miss the hand brake and might opt to get one.

 

[gsfspyder]

I also added the ISCI handbrake to mine. I felt that it was a mandatory addition, not an option. When I started having frequent limp home modes because of touching the brake pedal, it was the simplest solution with limited right foot control. No regrets here.

 

[Dustybell]

Both.

I've only had my spyder for a few months, but have come across several situations where I could have used a hand brake.

We are definately looking at adding one.

 

[3whlLefty]

I'll fall in with the 'both' camp here. The Spyder definitely needs the foot brake and I definitely want a hand brake. I have the ISCI one and wouldn't ride without it. BRP should build it in from the factory. I wouldn't add that much to their cost at build time.

Just my .02.

 

[Neez]

Having artificial knees, I originally thought that I would prefer a hand brake, as twisting my foot inwards was a bit difficult. The problem was solved with a brake pedal extender, and I now feel a hand brake is unnecessary on my SE5 .

 

[arntufun]

I'm used to it now, but in the beginning I almost bit the dust reaching for it and it wasn't there. nojoke It would be nice to have it for moving the Spyder around though, because I'm always on the left of the bike.

 

[Roadkill]

second nature

+It could be second nature for a motorcyclist transitioning to and fro two and three wheels, but BRP spewed forth that "this isn't a motorcycle".

Wrong.

I can't imagine that every rider is covering the single foot brake, so a hand brake should be incorporated.

Ride on.
Roadkill

 

[NautiBrit]

Thank you all for your input, I appreciate the comments. I purposely omitted "both" as an option because of cost and complexity and because the brake system is balanced front to rear and includes ABS. I can certainly appreciate the desire to have both hand and foot brakes, but I was more interested in an either/or situation.

 

[NancysToy]

Thank you all for your input, I appreciate the comments. I purposely omitted "both" as an option because of cost and complexity and because the brake system is balanced front to rear and includes ABS. I can certainly appreciate the desire to have both hand and foot brakes, but I was more interested in an either/or situation.

If you have to choose just one, I would say foot brake all the way. Using a hand brake only can be dangerous when going back to a machine without integrated brakes, and transitioning from your auto to your Spyder could be just as confusing as the lack of a handbrake lever is to expererinced motorcyclists. Most of us are very used to having a footbrake on any machine we ride or drive.

 

[pauly1]

I ride both an '08 GS SE and an American twin. Yes, the Spyder has integrated antilock brakes with the Nanny, etc. If I had a hand brakes, I prefer it to be separate for control of the front and the foot pedal for the rear brakes, but then we might lose functionality via the dreaded Nanny. But IMHO, the Nanny has saved many ryders from getting crossed up doing something on the edge of our abilities. So the good outweighes the mildly discomforting aspects of the single brake actuator at the right foot.

I know more than a few of this group need accommodations (and I have great respect :bowdown: for you!) and a handbrake is the answer. But then is it on the right or left:dontknow:, etc?

When I ride the Spyder, I have changed my thought process, and no longer reach for the front brake.

BTW, my two-wheeler has antilock brakes with independent, non-interlaced control. Normally, I don't worry about bringing the 925# beast to a stop. However, in the case of stopping on gravel, especially in parking situations, it would be nice to have the two systems connected - might keep the front wheel from sliding that last few inches :shocked:.

Wayne

 

[boyallie]

If you have highway pegs...better get your feet off of them if there are ANY other motor vehicles in the vicinity. You could be killed by the time you get your foot back on the brake pedal. Being able to cover your hand brake is SO much safer. I"d rather have that than ABS.

 

[bikeguy]

I didn't vote because the option to have both hand and foot brakes wasn't given. I still wear out the right side grip reaching for a front brake when I really need to stop and it's still a little disconcerting when I reach for it and nothing's there. But 95% of the time I don't miss the hand brake.

Cotton

 

[Lamonster]

I didn't vote because the option to have both hand and foot brakes wasn't given. I still wear out the right side grip reaching for a front brake when I really need to stop and it's still a little disconcerting when I reach for it and nothing's there. But 95% of the time I don't miss the hand brake.

Cotton

No one is saying to get rid of the foot brake. If you vote for a hand brake that is in addition to the foot brake.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.173557,-82.788001

 

[NancysToy]

No one is saying to get rid of the foot brake. If you vote for a hand brake that is in addition to the foot brake.

Not according to what he explained in post #29.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Brakes

Having a hand brake is a great idea, and should be standard equipment. Novices cannot have enough safety, and experienced motorcycle riders feel naked without it. Simple stuff like moving it around the garage is much easier if you can use a hand brake. I believe it should be standard equipment, and is inexpensive to do at the factory. The ISCI parts are great (shameless plug!) and anyone who is a motorcyclist will want one. More importantly, in order to make the machine a true "Enabler", make it stock. Years ago, folks built bikes with no front brakes. Glad we got smarter.................

 

[arntufun]

Not according to what he explained in post #29.

If thats the case change my answer, just a foot brake would be my choice. I like to take my hands of the handle bars at stop lights. :thumbup:

If it's a cost thing for BRP to add both, then maybe they can make the rear fender brackets a little cheaper to offset the cost. :roflblack:

 

[SteveMac]

Not according to what he explained in post #29.

This poll probably needs to be redone with the parameters clearly defined?? My answer would have been different if it was either/or. Numbers will be skewed since no one knew that until post 29. The original made it sound more like an additional option. I think if it were clearly an either/or that we would see a high percentage of foot options. Oh well! Methinks this is why we should be skeptical of polls we hear of on TV if we were confused with the question right in front of us. LOL!

 

[3Willie]

Sounds like a good time to start the poll over with the changes included

Why not just start the poll over with the suggested changes?

 

[Bob Denman]

I like to take my hands of the handle bars at stop lights. :thumbup:

Arntu,
SM-5 ??? :shocked:

I always figure it best to leave my bikes in gear; clutch and brake levers fully covered by my mitts...HOPING that I wouldn't need to make a fast break due to careening cages! :yikes:
...But if you've got an ESSIE; nevermind... pps:

 

[arntufun]

Arntu,
SM-5 ??? :shocked:

I always figure it best to leave my bikes in gear; clutch and brake levers fully covered by my mitts...HOPING that I wouldn't need to make a fast break due to careening cages! :yikes:
...But if you've got an ESSIE; nevermind... pps:

I have a SM5. I roll like this........ Neutral, foot on brake and hands on my thighs to give them a break from being fully extended. I don't do risers. :doorag: My next Spyder will be a SE5.