Linked Brakes

From VFRwiki

The 5th and 6th generation Interceptors feature a linked braking system, which ties the front and rear brakes together by activating the outer two pistons of the two front brake calipers and the center piston of the rear caliper while applying the front brake, and the outer pistons of the rear brake caliper and the two center pistons of the front brake calipers while applying the rear brake pedal.

At the 800 Interceptor's press intro, audible groans were heard when Honda announced that the new 800 came equipped with their infamous linked braking system (LBS). Journalists remembered the LBS of the late CBR1000F that, in their opinion, helped hasten the demise of that flawed motorcycle. Improvements were made for the CBR1100XX, but journalists and expert riders were still unimpressed. However, for the 800 Honda developed an LBS that offers more feedback for the aggressive, experienced sport rider while providing the less-skilled rider with a safe harbor during panic situations. Basically, the LBS works this way: The VFR800 is equipped with dual, 296mm floating discs with three-piston calipers up front and a 256mm rear disc with a three-piston caliper. When the front brake is squeezed, the two outer pistons of the front brake are activated and via a second master cylinder and a PCV valve the middle caliper of the rear brake engages. Apply the rear brake and the two outside rear caliper pistons the middle pistons of the front calipers engage.

The 750 has nice, medium-effort brakes, which are independently controlled on the front and rear. However, grabbing a handful of brake will lock the front tire more easily than you might expect. The sensation of stopping the 800 is quite different. Squeeze the front lever and rather than compressing the forks and transferring weight onto the front contact patch of the bike, you will find the bike scrubbing speed and squatting at the same time. The sensation is like feeling the rear brake drag, which, in fact, it is. Stomp on the brake pedal and rather than locking up the rear wheel without slowing significantly, and the bike will sit back a little and slow a lot. Unless you really go for it, locking the rear tire is not easy. Using the pedal and lever in tandem will stop the bike quickly and without fuss. The bad news for independent control freaks is that disconnecting the system is pretty much a lost cause without major, intrusive surgery or replacing the whole braking system. Squids will be happy to note that, unlike previous versions of LBS, stoppies are difficult, but possible.

The jury is out on which system is better. What we will say about this generation LBS is that it is significantly better than the other versions. Initially, there were no complaints from many of MO's testers, that is, until they were told that this bike was equipped with LBS. After learning about this they tended to nit-pick, which goes to show that the LBS's reputation precedes it. Sometimes we feel that racers feel the same way about ABS and LBS as many Harley riders feel about helmet laws. They resent the fact that someone, somewhere, is dictating the terms of their riding styles. Criticism often boils down to a question of one's manhood. Still, this version should help mute some of the detractors. Beyond that, Doug Chandler's ZX-7 superbike now has a racing version of Linked Braking on it. When you try it for yourself, report back in and we'll have a verdict.

[edit] 6th Generation Linked Brakes Improvements

Here is an excerpt regarding the 2002 Interceptor from an article in Motorcyclist, which can be found at http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/2002_honda_vfr_800_interceptor:

It used to be that two of the three pistons on each front caliper were triggered through the rear pedal; now only one (on the left caliper) is. The result is a system with more front-brake bias and slightly more natural feel; still, there's a palpable delay between squeezing the lever and feeling the brakes come in. Also, the brakes require a manly squeeze to achieve maximum deceleration. But, overall, you get used to the system's quirks and we're obligated to mention the Interceptor's brakes are actually improved this year and are likely to be literal lifesavers for rusty pilots.

[edit] De-Linking the Brakes

Some people loved the linked brakes of the 5th and 6th generation Interceptors, and some don't. You can find an excellent article about one man's saga to de-link the brakes on his 1998 Interceptor here: http://vfrworld.com/forums/brake-tire-articles/3617-vfr800-5th-generation-gearhead-s-delinking-brake-saga-interceptor-ss.html