BRP Hand Brake?

[Lamonster]

I've let a lot of people ride my Spyder and the first thing they do is reach for the hand brake. My buddy Ron was backing his out of the shop the other day and it's a little down hill and the first thing he did was reach for the hand brake that wasn't there to keep him from rolling backwards. He was able to stop it before he ran into my truck but you can see where I'm coming from here.

I let Dale from Wheels Through Time ride my Spyder yesterday and when he got back I was telling him that the Spyder didn't come with a hand brake and that I added that myself, he couldn't believe that and said he used it several times on his ride and thought it was factory.

This is not about if the Spyder stops fine without a hand brake or if you can get use to it, it's more about why we should have to get use to it seeing most of us came off of motorcycles and still ride motorcycles that have hand brakes.

So please vote and let's see what you guys think.

 

[BajaRon]

After riding the Spyder it is clear that the BRP engineers were absolutely correct that this machine (technically) does not need a hand break. You can do all the stopping you need to do with the foot brake alone.

But that "No hand brake" decision completely ignores the human element (you know, the person that actually PAYS for and RIDES the machine).

My feeling is that the engineers that built the Spyder were not necessarily M/C enthusiasts. And I don't have a problem what that as they obviously employed M/C riders to come to this finished product. I have heard that the riders lobbied hard for a hand brake and were over ruled by the engineers.

MISTAKE!

The Spyder may not require a hand brake in the mechanical sense, but a motorcycle rider does. It is a simple as that. It took me some time and a bit of mental effort to train myself to skillfully use that front brake (hand brake on the Spyder since all 3 wheels are tied togeher). Now it is instinct and one that I don't want to lose.

Not to mention that there are times when it would just be nice to stop with the option of a hand brake.

I think BRP expected to attract a large number of non-M/C riders who would not want or use a hand brake. But for the small effort and cost required to put one on at the factory, why not throw it in? If the rider never uses it how much of a loss is that? My opinion is that many, if not most, Spyder riders will get good use from the hand brake. I know I will. I'm putting one on as soon as I get the parts.

 

[LittleJohn]

I've let a lot of people ride my Spyder and the first thing they do is reach for the hand brake. My buddy Ron was backing his out of the shop the other day and it's a little down hill and the first thing he did was reach for the hand brake that wasn't there to keep him from rolling backwards. He was able to stop it before he ran into my truck but you can see where I'm coming from here.

I let Dale from Wheels Through Time ride my Spyder yesterday and when he got back I was telling him that the Spyder didn't come with a hand brake and that I added that myself, he couldn't believe that and said he used it several times on his ride and thought it was factory.

This is not about if the Spyder stops fine without a hand brake or if you can get use to it, it's more about why we should have to get use to it seeing most of us came off of motorcycles and still ride motorcycles that have hand brakes.

So please vote and let's see what you guys think.

I agree
In most cases, not required so much as desired.
In my case (and many others I will bet in the future) a hand brake will be a necessity due to lack of flexibility in my ankle.

I thought at first I would modify the brake hydraulically, and move the entire braking system to a hand actuator. After seeing your mod, and hearing it works quite well now with the bugs worked out, I will modify mine likewise, so that teh option of using the foot brake exists.

Thanks again!!!
Maybe with all this hard work and attention, BRP will rethink and add a stystem similar to yours. (Hey, I can dream!)

 

[Lamonster]

So far it looks like 5 out of 20 don't need or want it. I'm pretty sure we have more than 20 members on this site. ;D Come on now vote :bigthumbsup:

 

[Way2Fast]

BRP, and before them, Bombardier, have had a "suggestion" box at their test facitities for rider input. Why even bother....the input goes largely ignored and the "bean counters" always get their way. Penny wise and pound foolish.....the saying goes !! The Spyder deserves a hand brake just as their PWC deserve a finger throttle, decent traction mats, and hulls that don't delaminate !


Richard

 

[spyder#1]

Richard, It sounds like you have a bad taste in your mouth about BRP. Why do you go into finger throttles, decent traction mats, hulls that don't delaminate? This has nothing to do with a hand brake. I think the people that would like a hand brake should tell the engineering department, or go to Can-am.com for the next open Q&A. This will get your voices herd. A s for penny wise & pound foolish. What do you think the cost would be to make that happen?

 

[mdr]

I'm a bit torn on this one. On one hand, I really missed the hand brake the first time I took the Spyder out and had to make an emergency stop. I reached for a hand brake that wasn't there, and was quite grateful for the anti-lock breaks. The Spyder does lull you into being pretty relaxed, and that can bite you in the ass if you don't stay alert. On the other hand, it's not a motorcycle, and that's part of the reason I really like it. I've been riding it every day for a week and I think I will eventually get used to using only the foot brake. It's muscle memory like anything else, and since I'm selling the Harley this will be my primary ride. Ultimately I think I will be fine without the hand brake.

 

[Lamonster]

I'm a bit torn on this one. On one hand, I really missed the hand brake the first time I took the Spyder out and had to make an emergency stop. I reached for a hand brake that wasn't there, and was quite grateful for the anti-lock breaks. The Spyder does lull you into being pretty relaxed, and that can bite you in the ass if you don't stay alert. On the other hand, it's not a motorcycle, and that's part of the reason I really like it. I've been riding it every day for a week and I think I will eventually get used to using only the foot brake. It's muscle memory like anything else, and since I'm selling the Harley this will be my primary ride. Ultimately I think I will be fine without the hand brake.

But if you had the option to have or not what would you do?

 

[Ryno]

to handbrake or not to handbrake, That is the question.. And I say Honestly, My tendencies to grab with my right hand is finally leaving.. 10 days later..

The spyder is my only bike, and will be my only bike for the rest of my natural life.. (until a newer model comes out)

But reverse trikes are really to my taste. And I like the spyder.

So no, I would not use a hand brake.. I mean I would if it came on the bike, but I would not buy the option. Got to save my pennies for the really expensive BRP accessories.

 

[mdr]

But if you had the option to have or not what would you do?

I would choose it as long as I could use the foot brake or the hand brake, and either one would control all three wheels. That way I could be lazy and just use the foot brake, and still stop the bike if I grabbed for the hand brake first in an emergency situation. I'm glad I'm not a politician--I have a feeling someone would be calling me a flip-flopper right about now! You are going to have to make the ride to So. Cal, Lamonster--that way we can swap Spyders and I can know for sure!!!

 

[tfjunkie]

:spyder:
I pick up my spyder this weekend.
Will have a nice 500 plus mile 2 lane ride back to the shed. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Then i will start making changes.....

A m/c is a dynamic platform that is always in flux.

:2excited:

 

[BajaRon]

I would choose it as long as I could use the foot brake or the hand brake, and either one would control all three wheels.

Exactly. No reason to have it any other way. It would be a very simple matter to do this at the factory. Virtually a lever, cable and slight modification to the current brake lever. There just isn't any real good reason not to have it. I would trade it for slits in my reservoir cups any day.

 

[Way2Fast]

Richard, It sounds like you have a bad taste in your mouth about BRP. Why do you go into finger throttles, decent traction mats, hulls that don't delaminate? This has nothing to do with a hand brake. I think the people that would like a hand brake should tell the engineering department, or go to Can-am.com for the next open Q&A. This will get your voices herd. A s for penny wise & pound foolish. What do you think the cost would be to make that happen?

No, I don't have a bad taste about BRP. Many of my friends work for them as did family members. My bringing up some of the compaints both owners and test pilots have with their PWC was just to show that suggestions made by their employees as well as the public, often fall on deaf ears. Hopefully this will not be the case with the Can-Am. As for what the cost would be to add a hand brake, I would imagine that the Spyders built in profit margin would easily cover it. but that would be for the bean counters to determine.

Richard

 

[joet]

i guess I am a purest I like my spyder just liked it rolled off the assembly line no hand brake

 

[Lamonster]

i guess I am a purest I like my spyder just liked it rolled off the assembly line no hand brake

Looks like there are 6 more of you here. ;D :bigthumbsup:

 

[Pegleg]

Not having a handbrake will discourage some new riders from purchasing a Spyder. To some it might be a convenience, but to others it’s a necessity. In my case, I lost my right leg in a car/pedestrian accident and I wish that the Spyder had a handbrake.

It has not fully discouraged me from potentially going the fabrication route though, such as Lamonster did on his Spyder.

 

[Lamonster]

Not having a handbrake will discourage some new riders from purchasing a Spyder. To some it might be a convenience, but to others it’s a necessity. In my case, I lost my right leg in a car/pedestrian accident and I wish that the Spyder had a handbrake.

It has not fully discouraged me from potentially going the fabrication route though, such as Lamonster did on his Spyder.

:welcome: If there's a will there's a way. :doorag:

 

[aubierules]

:welcome: If there's a will there's a way. :doorag:

true DAT! :bigthumbsup:
I too have a disability, handicap, whatever the freakin politically correct term is :...and i would find the hand brake a great addition.....I had a thought....What if I were to put one of those moose hand shifters for atvs on the brake pedal and used my hand to brake...obviously it would be better with both hands on the bars...but??

 

[Sara]

Want A Hand Brake

I like Lamonster's hand brake system, and want one----I wonder when you activate the foot brake, does it slack the cable and cause a problem? How do you keep the hand brake lever from going limp or slack. I bought the lever---I need a cable and the parts at the lower bracket to bolt for the cable going to the brake shaft. Where do I get the parts?

 

[Twodog185]

I have the hydraulic hand brake setup. I like the option while attacking twisties...and while in traffic with my feet on the highway boards.

To me, the hand brake is the best mod I've done...in addition to the custom windshields, passenger foot peg extensions, bar risers, intake and exhaust, lighting, corbin seat, and one-of-a-kind logo/decal/tee shirt sets.

This spring might bring more surprises.