New spyder owner, old motorcyclist: is there a kit to add a handlebar brake lever

[Jackhartjr]

When we took the Spyder course, we spent a lot of time stopping! We practiced over and over until we learned that you can absolutely push it to the floorboard and it will stop and never lock up.
You'll be fine sir!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Keep in mind that adding a handbrake does not add front wheel braking control. The ISCI adapter is simply an additional way to actuate the same brake master cylinder the foot brake actuates. So from the standpoint of giving you manual control over front vs. rear wheel braking, you cannot get that. The brake system is integrated very deeply between both front wheels and the rear wheel and is controlled by the braking computer. It would be nigh impossible for anyone other than Bosch engineers to change the system. I don't know how much more braking the Brembo system offers over the pre-2012 system but I can tell you that for panic stops you don't need a hand brake. In the trike rider course I took at the GWRRA Wing Ding in 2015 when I stomped on the brake doing something like 20 or 30 mph, I was instantly wearing the windshield for a bib!

As far as switching back and forth between a hand brake equipped vehicle and the Spyder, I have no difficulty at all. In fact, with my ATV, which has left and right hand brakes as well as the foot brake, I immediately begin to use the hand brake when I get on it. When I get back on the Spyder I don't reach for a hand brake at all. After one becomes experienced in riding both types of vehicle the brain and muscle memory can instantly reorient your natural braking response. In fact I have more confusion with shifting. Both use a button or paddle. I tend to hit the downshift button on the ATV since it's at the bottom of the handlebar just like the Spyder.

 

[Possible]

I remember way back when I owned a Spanish dirt bike, and a Japanese road bike. The dirt bike was right hand shift and the street bike was left hand shift. The
first few times of switching back and forth found me shifting like crazy all the way down a hill. LOL But I did get used to it and got better over time.

 

[oldryder]

thx everyone. I conclude I need more seat time which I knoew as I am also not yet comfortable with the spyder in curves.

mark in MN

 

[JayBros]

Mark, there are a couple of very recent threads about new owners trying to get comfortable in corners and they have very appropriate suggestions for doing so. Also, if your 2011 RT does not have a Bajaron sway bar on it, that is the number one improvement you can make to help the Spyder corner flatter. A laser alignment, if it has not had one, will also help the overall behavior of the bike on the road. See this link as an example: https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?135491-uncomfortable-in-corners.

 

[Catalyst105]

I did a search but didn't find anything.

On the very 1st day I took my spyder for a ride 2 deer ran out in front of me. They were far enough ahead of me that even with my delayed braking response using the brake pedal there was no problem.

However, 40+ years of motorcycle riding including track instruction which emphasized use of the front brake leaves me wishing for a handlebar brake lever every time I ride the spyder.

I doubt I'm the only or 1st old fart motorcyclist with this issue.

So ... is there a retrofit package to add a handlebar brake lever to a spyder.

Thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice.

mark in MN

I installed the ISCI handbrake system https://isciride.com/product/handbrake-f3/ on my F3 for 2 reasons. I have a spinal cord injury and basically can’t use my right leg for braking, and I’m used to handbrakes from 2 wheels. It is pricey, but a necessity for me to ride now.

There was also a member that converted his ryker to front brake handbrake while keeping the rear brake pedal. I would actually like to do this on mine, but keeping the all wheel braking with the handbrake. The write up starts on post #16. https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?121048-Ryker-handlebar-handbrake

TRUST ME... Look, I'm not a Tight Old Fart X-Harley Rider (240k miles) but paying $1,395 for the handlebar brake lever? Bull. Don't push it until you get used to the Spyder. How many of you/us Old Farts Applied The FRONT Brake FIRST Anyway before the Spyder. I think most old riders just feel funny with Only 1 Brake but... Your Car Only Has 1 Brake for Stopping. Whatever Float Your Boat! Ride Safe!!

Out of 4 different sportbikes with hard riding, and numerous track days, I NEVER used my rear brakes. Same applied to 2 harley’s. The front brakes equate to 80% of stopping power on motorcycles, and in actuality is more than enough to stop in all situations. Enough to lift the rear and flip the bike over.

 

[NEXUS]

Yes a handbrake to me is necessary

Lamont and I made handlebar brakes from a Suzuki M109R Clutch Cable and lever to linkage which actuates the brake system. It's wonderful! Use it all the time. It doesn't work quite as well as the ISCI system. But for around $100.00, it's not bad.

While I agree that the Spyder does not 'NEED' a handlebar brake. It sure is good to maintain that skill if you're going back and forth between 2 wheels and 3. And, like I said, it comes in very handy for a lot of situations.

My first handbrake took three prototypes before I got the hydraulics right.
It wasn't about just front brake control like the two wheel motorcycle it was about
having brake control within microseconds from your hand not your foot.

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...e-And-Alternative-to-Cables&p=63988#post63988

Again we talked about the handbrake that BRP decided that we did not need.

Such a simple engineering device for them to make it OEM and added as an accessory would sell
more Spyders to the two wheel going to three wheel crowd then they know.

I could not get over not having it. My right hand would pull air every time I stepped on the brake.

And when I put Highway pegs on my first Spyder I knew I had to have a handbrake again.

It's about Safety. I've put handbrake on every Spyder I owned even on the 2020 LTD it was not hard.

It does not affect the OEM foot brake is not connected to the master cylinder hydraulically.

I still do not understand why they don't get it. And with thousands upon thousands of miles on
Five Spyders I have owned it has saved me more than once.

Nexus

 

[YPILOT]

I have 103,000 miles on my Spyder. The first 20,000 without a hand brake. I added highway pegs which moved my foot away from the foot brake pedal. I added the hand brake from ISCL and I really like it. If you depress the foot brake and then apply the hand brake you definitely can feel the extra stopping power. If the cost isn't prohibitive, you won't regret the addition.

 

[Motorcycledave]

Hand Brake for your Spyder

I know just what you mean, I look for mine all the time.
I am a dealer / distributor for lots of motorcycle accessories
and I have a hand brake setup for your Spyder.
Give me a call 209-887-3283 -
7 days a week I am in California
Pacific time zone. I will give yo all the details and price.
Dqve

I did a search but didn't find anything.

On the very 1st day I took my spyder for a ride 2 deer ran out in front of me. They were far enough ahead of me that even with my delayed braking response using the brake pedal there was no problem.

However, 40+ years of motorcycle riding including track instruction which emphasized use of the front brake leaves me wishing for a handlebar brake lever every time I ride the spyder.

I doubt I'm the only or 1st old fart motorcyclist with this issue.

So ... is there a retrofit package to add a handlebar brake lever to a spyder.

Thx to anyone taking the time to offer advice.

mark in MN

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Out of 4 different sportbikes with hard riding, and numerous track days, I NEVER used my rear brakes. Same applied to 2 harley’s. The front brakes equate to 80% of stopping power on motorcycles, and in actuality is more than enough to stop in all situations. Enough to lift the rear and flip the bike over.

I'm not sure Honda would agree with you. Both the foot brake and handlebar brake on the Goldwing actuate caliper pistons on both wheels. This is to prevent exactly what you say can happen if you use front braking only.

 

[Catalyst105]

I'm not sure Honda would agree with you. Both the foot brake and handlebar brake on the Goldwing actuate caliper pistons on both wheels. This is to prevent exactly what you say can happen if you use front braking only.

I’ve never owned a Goldwing. Sounds like an ABS system. My point was more to the comment of who applies the front brake first on a motorcycle, and that you should be applying the front brake as it has almost all of the stopping power. That’s why most people grab for an invisible lever when getting into the Spyder.

 

[RICZ]

I just returned from a romp on back roads around Mount Hood. Having recently acquired the skills and the nerve to push 'er on twisties, I did! It was a beautiful, clear, 70* day. There were times when I had to brake hard at speeds around 60 mph and the ABS would activate. Is this normal?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I’ve never owned a Goldwing. Sounds like an ABS system. My point was more to the comment of who applies the front brake first on a motorcycle, and that you should be applying the front brake as it has almost all of the stopping power. That’s why most people grab for an invisible lever when getting into the Spyder.

As I remember, the early years of the GL1800 had ABS as an option. My 2005 had it. But the interconnection between the front and rear brakes was the same whether or not the bike had ABS.

Most riders make the change successfully from foot + handlebar to foot only in due time. After all, almost all of us have no problem with a foot brake only in our cars and trucks. So why should it be different with a Spyder? Beats me. If adding touring foot rests creates a situation where one has a real delay in moving from the foot rest to the brake pedal, then I will agree a handlebar brake would be good. In my experience and understanding I don't see how having a hand brake would improve the braking operation of the Spyder. The brakes are not only ABS equipped, but the brake computer distributes the braking force among all three wheels for the best stability of the bike. The computer applies more braking to the front wheels, because like you've said, that's where it's needed. In case you aren't aware the VSS (or Nanny) will automatically operate the brakes if you get into a situation of going around a curve too fast.

When I read Nexus' post above the question that came to my mind is, "Did repeatedly installing a hand brake on each new Spyder inadvertently reinforce his brain's autopilot mode for the continued use of the hand brake, or was there such a deep seated autopilot reaction of reaching for the hand brake that giving up a hand brake was impossible?"

As I see it, the issue of a handbrake is not an issue of what is needed to stop the the Spyder most quickly and safely, but rather an issue of reprogramming our brains. Reprogramming sometimes can be very hard.

To learn more about how our brains operate in autopilot mode watch the series "Hacking Your Mind" on PBS. Three of the four episodes can be streamed. The fourth one airs Wed, 9/30.

Of course, no way do I question the advisability or necessity of a hand brake for those with physical limitations. After all, cars can be fitted with hand brakes if needed.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I just returned from a romp on back roads around Mount Hood. Having recently acquired the skills and the nerve to push 'er on twisties, I did! It was a beautiful, clear, 70* day. There were times when I had to brake hard at speeds around 60 mph and the ABS would activate. Is this normal?

The ABS activates only when a tire starts spinning free like on water, ice, or loose sand. What you probably experienced is Nanny setting the brake because you exceeded the parameters of steering torque, yaw, and speed that the computer uses to automatically slow you down when there is a risk of leaning too hard or breaking tire traction. I've heard my front wheels squawk on a hard corner but I don't know if it was the tire sliding sideways or Nanny hitting the brake really hard on the outside tire.

 

[trong]

I've been riding for almost five decades and it took me about 500 miles to get used to single pedal brake system. After that everything is ok, depends on the day I go to my garage and pick either the RTL or the CB1100 to ride. No problem whatsoever. Just like going from your car to you bike, take few seconds to adapt. BTW, I switch my two bicycles to have front brake on the right lever, opposite to standard bicycle setup.
"Old Farts". I'm proud to be one.
Cheers!

 

[NEXUS]

As I remember, the early years of the GL1800 had ABS as an option. My 2005 had it. But the interconnection between the front and rear brakes was the same whether or not the bike had ABS.

Most riders make the change successfully from foot + handlebar to foot only in due time. After all, almost all of us have no problem with a foot brake only in our cars and trucks. So why should it be different with a Spyder? Beats me. If adding touring foot rests creates a situation where one has a real delay in moving from the foot rest to the brake pedal, then I will agree a handlebar brake would be good. In my experience and understanding I don't see how having a hand brake would improve the braking operation of the Spyder. The brakes are not only ABS equipped, but the brake computer distributes the braking force among all three wheels for the best stability of the bike. The computer applies more braking to the front wheels, because like you've said, that's where it's needed. In case you aren't aware the VSS (or Nanny) will automatically operate the brakes if you get into a situation of going around a curve too fast.

When I read Nexus' post above the question that came to my mind is, "Did repeatedly installing a hand brake on each new Spyder inadvertently reinforce his brain's autopilot mode for the continued use of the hand brake, or was there such a deep seated autopilot reaction of reaching for the hand brake that giving up a hand brake was impossible?"

As I see it, the issue of a handbrake is not an issue of what is needed to stop the the Spyder most quickly and safely, but rather an issue of reprogramming our brains. Reprogramming sometimes can be very hard.

To learn more about how our brains operate in autopilot mode watch the series "Hacking Your Mind" on PBS. Three of the four episodes can be streamed. The fourth one airs Wed, 9/30.

Of course, no way do I question the advisability or necessity of a hand brake for those with physical limitations. After all, cars can be fitted with hand brakes if needed.

IdahoMtnSpyder,
Thank you for pointing that out. Did I reinforce the need for a handbrake by putting it on each Spyder? You could call that habitual.
That need for the handbrake whether it's was ABS or front brakes doesn't matter didn't become apparent to me until after I put highway pegs
on my first Spyder in 2008. Now when I ride my car, truck, etc. my feet are not on the dash or out the window there close to the pedal.

So my throttle and my handbrake are microseconds apart. To bring my foot back from the highway peg to the brake pedal took more time.
So not only did it stop faster because of the position of the handbrake, but it also kicked out the cruise control.

I ride a lot at night also early in the mornings in rural areas where the deer population has exploded. Especially now that hunting season has begun
there are more skittish than any other time of year. I can tell you that many times that handbrake where it was kept me from having a deer strike.



Now on the 2020 RTL. I don't have highway pegs. The floorboards are massive and the brake pedal is in a really good position so much better than my 14.
So you're half right. I didn't really need it on the 2020 RTL so could I use some reprogramming :dontknow: but I also miss my handbrake.
To each their own.

Nexus

 

[ButterSmooth]

It's really simple to me; My 2020RT would be better if it had a brake on the bars, just like my Can-Am ATV.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

It's really simple to me; My 2020RT would be better if it had a brake on the bars, just like my Can-Am ATV.

In what ways would it be better? Because that is what you are accustomed to, or do you see some braking action that would be improved over what the computer does? Or would the handbrake give you extra riding comfort even though all it does is actuate the master cylinder just as the foot brake does? In other words do you want the handbrake because of personal preference or because of technical improvement? You can be sure economics played into BRP's decision to not include it. If 99 out of 100 riders get along without it, and if it cost even only $200 per machine to include it, that ends up effectively costing $19,800 for each rider who really needs/wants it. For those who really want the handbrake there are ways to have it, without adding cost to everyone else's machine for something they easily live without.

Keep in mind the separate front and rear brakes on an ATV are there to give you more control as you are going up and down hills and over rocks, which of course you don't do with the Spyder. Side x sides don't have handbrakes, other than for parking, do they? If they are so valuable for braking control why don't SxS's have them?

We all want something different on our Spyders that BRP doesn't include, but BRP configures the machines to satisfy the vast majority of buyers. Differing desires is why the accessories market thrives.

I'm not in the least bit denigrating your desire for a handbrake. I just want to help you understand why they are not part of the Spyder, as I see it. As is so often said, "To each his own!"

 

[ButterSmooth]

In what ways would it be better? Because that is what you are accustomed to, or do you see some braking action that would be improved over what the computer does? Or would the handbrake give you extra riding comfort even though all it does is actuate the master cylinder just as the foot brake does? In other words do you want the handbrake because of personal preference or because of technical improvement? You can be sure economics played into BRP's decision to not include it. If 99 out of 100 riders get along without it, and if it cost even only $200 per machine to include it, that ends up effectively costing $19,800 for each rider who really needs/wants it. For those who really want the handbrake there are ways to have it, without adding cost to everyone else's machine for something they easily live without.

Keep in mind the separate front and rear brakes on an ATV are there to give you more control as you are going up and down hills and over rocks, which of course you don't do with the Spyder. Side x sides don't have handbrakes, other than for parking, do they? If they are so valuable for braking control why don't SxS's have them?

We all want something different on our Spyders that BRP doesn't include, but BRP configures the machines to satisfy the vast majority of buyers. Differing desires is why the accessories market thrives.

I'm not in the least bit denigrating your desire for a handbrake. I just want to help you understand why they are not part of the Spyder, as I see it. As is so often said, "To each his own!"

Like I said, "simple". We wouldn't be having this discussion over-and-over if it were there. One less point to criticize is 'better' in my book. Pleasing more people is 'better' in my book. Accommodating those with disabilities is 'better' in my book. I'm fine with the foot brake -- others aren't. I wouldn't be fine with the foot brake without ABS. 'Better' doesn't make it a necessity, just 'better'.

 

[Steve W.]

I'm not sure Honda would agree with you. Both the foot brake and handlebar brake on the Goldwing actuate caliper pistons on both wheels.

I’ve never owned a Goldwing. Sounds like an ABS system.

As I remember, the early years of the GL1800 had ABS as an option. My 2005 had it. But the interconnection between the front and rear brakes was the same whether or not the bike had ABS.

As I recall, the Goldwing has three-piston calipers, front and rear. When the front brake lever is applied, pressure is sent to the outer pistons on each front disk and the inner piston on the rear disk, for a total of 5 pistons (four of them are on the front wheel). When the rear brake pedal is applied, pressure is sent to the inner pistons on the front disks and the two outer pistons on the rear disk, for a total of 4 pistons. Their reasoning was that, no matter which way you applied the brakes, you got stopping power on both wheels.

In what ways would it be better?

Not sure about anyone else, but I stated my reason back in post #18:

Although the stopping power on a Spyder is simply INCREDIBLE, the time I miss a hand lever the most is when my right foot is planted firmly on the floorboard in a left turn and something appears that begs for a bit less forward momentum.

One way to do that would be to borrow the concept from Honda. Replace the two-piston front calipers with three-piston calipers. Feed the center pistons with the front hand brake. It would not reduce what is available at the pedal, but would provide at least <some> slow-down power with the hand brake. :dontknow:

.