My Handbrake Story

[Mayhem]

Last Saturday I installed my new ISCI handbrake. Since then I've been riding the bike to work and around town just getting used to it. Then yesterday I was cruising on a four lane road in the right lane, in the left lane was a car waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn. Behind this car was another car held up by the turning vehicle. Suddenly the held up car whips into the right lane directly in front of me. I was going the speed limit of 35mph and I swear this car was 20 feet in front me. I slammed on the foot brake and crammed the handbrake for all I was worth. I was amazed that the :spyder2: stopped on a dime. If I just used the foot brake I think I would have hit that car. I gotta say that handbrake just paid for itself.

 

[tnhoover]

Did the same thing with my ISCI handbrake about 2 weeks ago. A car jumped out into the left lane and stopped in front of me. I slammed the footbrake and grabed the handbrake as hard as I could. I stopped so fast the SE5 could'nt keep up. When I got stopped it was stil in 3rd gear. I had to manually downshift to 1st.

 

[ARtraveler]

Glad to hear the handbrakes helped. A good testimonial for the product.

 

[SteveMac]

Love love love my ISCI hand brake. I'll never have a Spyder without it. I use it 90% of the time now.

Best mod I have ever done to my RT.

Glad it worked out for you! :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[SethO]

they make stuff that can be shot into space, its taken everything I have thrown at it and keeps up, some of the only products that can.

 

[rnet]

It has saved me and my passenger from injury as well. I have one of the first ones made and no problems at all, wouldn't ride without one.

 

[Bob Denman]

Just about the time I start getting completely used to stomping on the pedal you guys go and add this one back on my list... :2thumbs:

 

[SteveMac]

they make stuff that can be shot into space, its taken everything I have thrown at it and keeps up, some of the only products that can.

This is one testimonial ISCI should use in their marketing!!! No joke!
Ryde on Seth!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree::thumbup:

 

[bullant12]

I was amazed that the :spyder2: stopped on a dime. If I just used the foot brake I think I would have hit that car. I gotta say that handbrake just paid for itself.

Not to throw rocks at anybody (I actually like ISCI products and have the floorboards and fan can), but keep in mind that the :spyder2: is an ABS, meaning that all brakes stop with the pedal. According to ISCI description of the handbrake: [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This is a hydraulic system that utilizes a master cylinder and a custom
slave cylinder to actuate the existing brake system[/FONT]
I am glad to see that all of you that have posted enjoy your handbrake and even saved your life, but keep in mind these were made for long time bike riders that wanted their handbrake feeling on their hands or need it because of a handicap in the right leg. It does not improve or fix any issues on the factory installed ABS system. I've been on close calls a couple of times on my :spyder2: and it has stopped on a dime, and I don't have the handbrake system.
Like I said before, I'm glad to hear that this product works, just keep in mind that it is not a overhaul of the :spyder2:'s braking system. I'm sure that the :spyder2: would have stopped on a dime without the handbrake.

 

[Bob Denman]

No doubt... The existing system is pretty darn good. But if your legs or feet aren't quite as good as they once were it's nice to know that ISCI is offering a solution. :thumbup:
My list of "Gottahaves" for my RT is now going to be limited to a Corbin seat with a backrest and the ISCI handbrake system.:2thumbs:
So what's on your list??

 

[bullant12]

No doubt... The existing system is pretty darn good. But if your legs or feet aren't quite as good as they once were it's nice to know that ISCI is offering a solution. :thumbup:
My list of "Gottahaves" for my RT is now going to be limited to a Corbin seat with a backrest and the ISCI handbrake system.:2thumbs:
So what's on your list??

:agree:I could not agree more with your first statement! So far I don't need the handbrake system so I will spend my money on other mods. But if at some point in time I need it, I will defently go with ISCI without thinking it twice.

On my list is the HMT brakelight, add a light on the back trunk and later on, a custom made seat out of memory foam!:thumbup:

 

[Wattsmyname]

Handbrake

I am totally lost without the front brake lever, my two wheeler applies some back brake with the front lever so I barely use the pedal, the Spyder is taking some serious adjusting to for me. The front brake lever is a great idea, should come stock with them from the factory to me but for those new riders...probably no big deal. The kit looks great but that is a ton of money for a hydraulic/front brake lever/mounting perch. There must be something I am missing to justify that price but I would love to have one.

 

[Bob Denman]

Give ISCI a call or check their website... You definitely will be getting what you pay for... :2thumbs: :thumbup:hyea: On something as important as brakes it's pretty tough to shop based on price... ISCI products are top-quality and, as Seth put it; "They make stuff that can be shot into space.":shocked:

 

[SteveMac]

Give ISCI a call or check their website... You definitely will be getting what you pay for... :2thumbs: :thumbup:hyea: On something as important as brakes it's pretty tough to shop based on price... ISCI products are top-quality and, as Seth put it; "They make stuff that can be shot into space.":shocked:

Agree 100%.
When it comes to brakes I don't want second rate. Also, having done my own install I can attest to the fit and finish as well as quality. So for the amount of R&D that went into manufacturing combined with a finite sales volume potential is why the cost is high. But absolutely worth it IMO.

 

[ISCI Billy]

Glad to know that our products are holding up well. Also glad to here a little "you get what you pay for". I the Walmart / Made in China world we live in it is nice to be appreciated.

 

[Bob Denman]

Look at that! A phone number and web address for them... :2thumbs::clap:

 

[dancogan]

Here's why I like the ISCI handbrake: In situations with lots of traffic I like to keep a hand hovering over the hand brake to reduce the time it takes to apply if and when someone does something stupid. I have a real tough time hovering over the foot brake without actually applying it. On my two wheeler keeping my right hand over the lever has become an automatic reaction when traffic builds or other vehicles are in close proximity. That automatic action is something I didn't want to give up. The ISCI hand brake is very well made, but it requires a large hand and a lot of force. As mentioned previously, it adds a hydraulic brake system to the mechanics of applying the brakes when the foot brake is not used. I find it handy for initial and quick application of the brakes, but for full on braking the foot brake still works best. JMHO

 

[Firefly]

I am totally lost without the front brake lever, my two wheeler applies some back brake with the front lever so I barely use the pedal, the Spyder is taking some serious adjusting to for me. The front brake lever is a great idea, should come stock with them from the factory to me but for those new riders...probably no big deal. The kit looks great but that is a ton of money for a hydraulic/front brake lever/mounting perch. There must be something I am missing to justify that price but I would love to have one.

The something that you're missing is called liability. ISCI has to carry liability insurance to cover the handbrake-- because should there ever be an accident due to a failure--- in our sue-happy world someone will go after them. They don't mess around with quality - they make some of the best stuff I've ever seen - it's obvious they take pride in being quality craftsmen... not to mention they're really nice folks too!

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I must agree with bullant12 in that the ISCI unit doesn't give you 'more' stopping power - unless your leg is weaker than your hand. Certainly a combination of using both should assure the Spyder brakes will get the job done as mentioned by the original poster.

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One of the main things I'll get one in the future for is that when riding hard in the twisties there are many times your foot just can't be near the brake pedal or put much pressure on it (read hanging off the Spyder like a monkey).

I'm anxiously awaiting an adjustable lever version------hopefully in black!

 

[SteveMac]

The liability issue is an excellent point Firefly.