Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

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Goat
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Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

Anybody using something extra good for front brake?
Mine came with the nice pro taper (semi indestructible) clutch set up, but don’t see a matching version for the brake on their site.
I finally busted my brake lever and curious if there was a recommend improvement for someone like me who picks up the bike (a lot). TY.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by MoonStomper »

Following...
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Let the good times ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by KDXGarage »

Is there an ARC model that will fit?
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

I couldn’t find a fancy one, yet. Don’t see one from ARC. Still keeping my eye open. But needed one fast, so went with outlaw racing stock replacement, $11 on Amazon. Fit right in. Survived today’s thumping.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

.... it’s a bit shinier than necessary.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by KDXGarage »

Hopefully, you are looking "farther out in front" than the brake lever while riding. :grin:

How do you like the pillow top grips in the woods? I have them on my YZ that I raced MX on. I am not a huge fan of them.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

I am not sure about the grips. I think / thought I liked them. They feel really nice for a dry sunday ride in the park... which I never do or little perimeter check. My bike came with a set, so I just put another one on there when the originals got sloppy (even safety wire wasn’t helping much).
Now that you mention it, I don’t love them when they are wet and they are POS when they get muddy. Seems all the clay sticks in the waffles.
I may need to get back to basics. Do you have some favorites ?
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by doakley »

You riding that KDX without bark busters? That would save a lot of broken levers, not to mention fingers.

On another note, I use the pillow top grips and have always liked them, FWIW.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by bufftester »

Outlaw lever and pillow tops are currently on my bike. Both are cheap and work well, if not fancy looking lol
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by KDXGarage »

I think my KX still has the stock grips. They are hard as nails, but work better on the MX track than the Pillow Tops. Since you mentioned it, I think my Pillow Tops are safety wired on, but they don't have ends, as the bike had Cycra handguards (Pro Bends) when I bought it from a friend. They slide around.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

All right. Everyone says I need hand guards. And somewhere deep down, I know it’s true.
They have been in my amazon cart since almost the day I bought the bike.
Used to run the Acerbis on my DRZ and think I liked them.
Those zeta that moon recommends look even better. But somewhere along the way to being cheap, the broken wrist tales have put my sphincter in pucker.
I know I should get some. But so far I just have one smashed pinky, one dislocated knuckle, and one $11 lever. Hardly seems worth risking a joe thiesman for my arm.
The biggest pro for me, isn’t levers or fingers. It’s that they make the bike easier to pick up.
I seem to remember the bike feeling too big with the guards on also. But that maybe that a DRZ is too big.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by doakley »

I hear flag guards reduce the risk of wrist injuries.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

I also got stuck when I found another widget i like. The ball bearing throttle tube. Wow now there’s a tasty treat, that no one really needs. Could still run flags.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by MoonStomper »

Goat wrote: 03:55 am Nov 03 2020 I also got stuck when I found another widget i like. The ball bearing throttle tube. Wow now there’s a tasty treat, that no one really needs. Could still run flags.
Yeah I have been eyeballing that BB Zeta throttle tube!!! I now have their barkbuster fork mounts on my KDX and their h-bar clamp bark buster mounts on my son's KTM. Nice stuff!

FLAGS FOR SALE...
I have a new set of black PowerMad flags with hardware (now in a box) that came with my bike - they are really nice looking and I would keep them, but I know I'd be going through levers like crazy because I have this affinity for hitting trees and the ground. I put some used barkbusters on - without the plastic shields (saving for FRP's) when I took these off. I'd be willing to sell them.

They are really nice, new and I think scuff free. Make me an offer, I am sure the shipping would be cheap.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by KDXGarage »

Cycra Probend
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goatfish »

I have asv levers or the knock offs on ebay which are cheaper, tend to last longer as they can bend backwards and spring back.
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I suspect levers are designed to snap so as not to transfer too much energy into the more expensive bits?

I picked up a wrecked gs500 road bike and I am experimenting using the brakes off that. On dirt, I face planted a few times with these on but on tarmac they are awesome.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by spl383 »

ASV levers are a big improvement over stock. Less pull and I prefer the shorty lever
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

Interesting! I saw a super Moto KDX for sale on Facebook. Very awkward looking machine to me. But I bet the brakes stop, right f*-ing, now.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

Thanks for tip on ASV.
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Re: Better FR Brake Handle / setup ?

Post by Goat »

Hi Moon, thank you. I will give a shout if ever make up my mind (or smash appendiges beyond my pain tolerance). Those look really nice.
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