I may be getting old and slowing down...

[DK Custom Products]

I had one of those moments last week.

On my 2011 Tri-Glide I checked the front and rear brake pads at 50k miles and still had over 50% of them left.

Last week I checked them on my 2014 TG (that's also at 50k miles) and lo and behold, I am almost out of pad.

Had me a bit perplexed....then I realized, I'm getting older & riding differently. Using the brakes more and engine braking less.

Devin was with me, I mentioned this to him and he just laughed...thought it was funny that I was just then realizing it, he said he's been aware of it for quite awhile. (I have 26 years on him)

EBC pads are ordered, and will be installed next week.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

I found the older I get the more aggressive I ride

Not hard on brakes tho

[hogcowboy]

I also think the EPA is having a bad effect. Maybe not so much on motorcycles but I know they are a cars and trucks with automatics. They keep the revs up when down shifting manually forcing you to use the brakes more. Most likely having something to do with unburnt fuel. I just got an 18 model and couldn't get the hang of down shift because the darn thing tries to keep the revs up instead of engine braking like my 01 did. I'd bet the EPA has something to do with newer motorcycles having to use more brakes as well. So don't go blaming old age just yet. All it would take is a little more fuel being added and you'll need more braking compared to your older model trike. They are screwing with the ECM's at every possible point.

[rhino 2]

Sometimes as we age, The need for speed is over come by the fear of death..

[ultrafxr]

I also think the EPA is having a bad effect. Maybe not so much on motorcycles but I know they are a cars and trucks with automatics. They keep the revs up when down shifting manually forcing you to use the brakes more. Most likely having something to do with unburnt fuel. I just got an 18 model and couldn't get the hang of down shift because the darn thing tries to keep the revs up instead of engine braking like my 01 did. I'd bet the EPA has something to do with newer motorcycles having to use more brakes as well. So don't go blaming old age just yet. All it would take is a little more fuel being added and you'll need more braking compared to your older model trike. They are screwing with the ECM's at every possible point.

The 2013 and later TGs have the assist and slip clutch which provides for minor slipping on downshift to avoid shock to the power train.

[ultrafxr]

Kevin I don't know about getting old and slowing down but getting smart and slowing down is good. Once you discover you are not bulletproof you tend to do that!

[GARYD]

Sometimes as we age, The need for speed is over come by the fear of death..

I wish I could say the same thing. I'm just the opposite, like Jack. Maybe getting a hip replacement sometime this year will slow me down a little - hope so.

FWIW: I use my front brakes 90% of the time.

[DK Custom Products]

I also think the EPA is having a bad effect. Maybe not so much on motorcycles but I know they are a cars and trucks with automatics. They keep the revs up when down shifting manually forcing you to use the brakes more. Most likely having something to do with unburnt fuel. I just got an 18 model and couldn't get the hang of down shift because the darn thing tries to keep the revs up instead of engine braking like my 01 did. I'd bet the EPA has something to do with newer motorcycles having to use more brakes as well. So don't go blaming old age just yet. All it would take is a little more fuel being added and you'll need more braking compared to your older model trike. They are screwing with the ECM's at every possible point.

Yes, good point. I have off and on tried to overcome that silly thing they are doing in the ECM that keeps the RPM's up when slowing down. Do not like it at all. Even talked to Jamie to see if he knew of anything fix to it. He didn't. I am going to look at it again, for two reasons-

1. I want the full engine braking...throttle at zero when I let off.

2. I really don't like the sound of the 1300 rpm idle that does not drop to 1000 until at a complete stop

Sometimes as we age, The need for speed is over come by the fear of death..

Fortunately I've never liked speed...might be a reason I am still here.

The 2013 and later TGs have the assist and slip clutch which provides for minor slipping on downshift to avoid shock to the power train.

That makes sense.

I wish I could say the same thing. I'm just the opposite, like Jack. Maybe getting a hip replacement sometime this year will slow me down a little - hope so.

FWIW: I use my front brakes 90% of the time.

You should feel MORE rambunctious with the new hip.

Yeah, I use my front brakes 90% on 2 wheels, and used to do the same on the TG, but have changed my habits a bit on the TG, probably closer to 50-50.

Kevin

[rhino 2]

Yeah, I use my front brakes 90% on 2 wheels, and used to do the same on the TG, but have changed my habits a bit on the TG, probably closer to 50-50.

Kevin

With all my two wheelers 90% front brake ....And easy on the rear,Cause Rear tires can lockup fast...On my 17 i almost always use the foot brake what with interconnected brakes, But then i really have to stop like ''Right''Now'... Its foot and hand....-

[ultrafxr]

With all my two wheelers 90% front brake ....And easy on the rear,Cause Rear tires can lockup fast...On my 17 i almost always use the foot brake what with interconnected brakes, But then i really have to stop like ''Right''Now'... Its foot and hand....-

Guys I gotta tell you that in a panic / emergency situation you will do what you practice. Saying you'll get on both brakes when you need to when 99% of the time you use only one may sound good but trust me it ain't gonna happen. Muscle memory and what you've trained your brain to do will determine your action(s) because you simply will not have time to think it through. It simply happens too fast. Been there, experienced it several times.

[GARYD]

Yes, good point. I have off and on tried to overcome that silly thing they are doing in the ECM that keeps the RPM's up when slowing down. Do not like it at all. Even talked to Jamie to see if he knew of anything fix to it. He didn't. I am going to look at it again, for two reasons-

1. I want the full engine braking...throttle at zero when I let off.

2. I really don't like the sound of the 1300 rpm idle that does not drop to 1000 until at a complete stop

Fortunately I've never liked speed...might be a reason I am still here.

That makes sense.

You should feel MORE rambunctious with the new hip.

Yeah, I use my front brakes 90% on 2 wheels, and used to do the same on the TG, but have changed my habits a bit on the TG, probably closer to 50-50.

Kevin

It's still a habit to use the front brake, but you make sense seeing that there are 2 wheels in back now. I'll try to keep that in mind.

[GARYD]

Guys I gotta tell you that in a panic / emergency situation you will do what you practice. Saying you'll get on both brakes when you need to when 99% of the time you use only one may sound good but trust me it ain't gonna happen. Muscle memory and what you've trained your brain to do will determine your action(s) because you simply will not have time to think it through. It simply happens too fast. Been there, experienced it several times.

That's where the 90% comes in. I'm still applying the rear brake 10%, but not as hard as the front. I'm pretty sure in an emergency I'll be applying both with gusto. I did once about 5 years ago - scared the crap out of me. Thankfully I didn't hit the bitch.

[MDO]

Yes, good point. I have off and on tried to overcome that silly thing they are doing in the ECM that keeps the RPM's up when slowing down. Do not like it at all. Even talked to Jamie to see if he knew of anything fix to it. He didn't. I am going to look at it again, for two reasons-

1. I want the full engine braking...throttle at zero when I let off.

2. I really don't like the sound of the 1300 rpm idle that does not drop to 1000 until at a complete stop

Fortunately I've never liked speed...might be a reason I am still here.

That makes sense.

You should feel MORE rambunctious with the new hip.

Yeah, I use my front brakes 90% on 2 wheels, and used to do the same on the TG, but have changed my habits a bit on the TG, probably closer to 50-50.

Kevin

I am the same way & may use the linked brakes even more

because it just works so well.

It stops the Freewheeler way quicker that my 1100 used to, even though it's 500 lbs more weight. It's very stable doing so, so I am a big fan. Those 2 disks in back help a lot.

Kevin, I don't know if your year trike has this, but doesn't the newer slip/assist clutch somehow change the engine breaking? I was sure I read that somewhere.

[DK Custom Products]

As part of my plan to stay on the top side of the dirt for as long as possible, I regularly practice emergency braking on all my bikes/trikes (along with evasive maneuvers, slow speed handling, etc.)

Weight does not shift to the front wheel as much on a Trike as it does on a 2 wheel bike. Because of this, in a true emergency braking situation, if you use anywhere near as much front brake on a Trike as a Bike, the front tire WILL lock up.

If the road is wet, and you use just normal amount of front brake on a Trike (not an emergency) for moderately fast stopping....forget about it...front tire will lock up and slide...usually steering the trike sideways a little.

I believe it to be a good practice to regularly find an open parking lot and practice emergency braking, getting the distance shorter and shorter. When you do this you find out how much brake can be applied without locking up the front or rear tires. My best guestimation is 40/60, unlike a bike that is closer to 90/10.

btw, since I ride 2 wheelers still, and some have ABS and some don't, I literally have had to develop muscle memory for 3 different types of rides.

Trike

ABS 2 wheeler (where I can grab all I want, front and rear)

non-ABS 2 wheeler, where I have to carefully modulate both front & rear to almost lock up, but not quite.

The nice thing about the Tri-Glides are that even if you do over apply the brakes a bit, and lock up the tires, it is very forgiving and stable, maintaining a straight line (on dry surfaces).

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, I don't know if your year trike has this, but doesn't the newer slip/assist clutch somehow change the engine breaking? I was sure I read that somewhere.

2014, Yes, that is most probably one of factors of my pads wearing more quickly...along with, what I am aware of, I do not use engine braking nearly as much as I used to...hahaha, I'm getting old.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

I use my linked brakes for faster slowing down, finish off rolling to a stop with the front brakes

I always watch the traffic far enough ahead to compensate for braking, and look for escape routes just in case

Old dog old tricks

[DK Custom Products]

I use my linked brakes for faster slowing down, finish off rolling to a stop with the front brakes

I always watch the traffic far enough ahead to compensate for braking, and look for escape routes just in case

Old dog old tricks

Great advice!

Also, ALWAYS look in your mirrors BEFORE a fast stop...no reason to compound problems by getting rear-ended!

Kevin

[rhino 2]

Great advice!

Also, ALWAYS look in your mirrors BEFORE a fast stop...no reason to compound problems by getting rear-ended!

Kevin

And if theres a car close behind me i never stop for a yellow light ,Unless its absolutely necessary...

[Jack Klarich]

Great advice!

Also, ALWAYS look in your mirrors BEFORE a fast stop...no reason to compound problems by getting rear-ended!

Kevin

And if theres a car close behind me i never stop for a yellow light ,Unless its absolutely necessary...

Absolutely

[Gideon]

EBC pads are ordered, and will be installed next week.

Kevin

EBC Organic