Since trikes have 50% more braking surface

[Phu Cat]

than two wheelers, is it hopeful thinking on my part or do trikes actually stop in a shorter distance the traditional bikes?

 

[Pegasus1300]

That is a very good question. I don't know the answer. Many two wheelers have safety fearures that don't translate to 3 wheels, ABS, linked brakes are only a couple that come to mind. However trikes have more tire on the rear so they also grip better. Trikes weigh more but have more weight on the front tire usually a single tire. I don't think you just assume that larger brake shoes/pads or more of them egual greater braking. Maybe someone knows of some tests results out there.

 

[geol]

Stopping distance, apart from the number and surface area of the brakes is still bound by the laws of physics. Consider that a trike is a lot heavier than its two wheel cousins and a heavy object will not stop as fast but more braking with 3 wheels has to be added to this equation. I have never seen a brake test comparison.... say between a Goldwing (2 wheels) and a converted Goldwing trike and that would be one way to determine if a trike stops quicker or less quickly than a two wheel version of the same bike.

 

[pwhoever]

Another thing to consider as far as linked Goldwings brakes, the rear master does not get changed out and now has to handle 4 calipers instead of 3. On my 07, it did seem to take just a tad more distance in stopping. Now on my 12, it seems to have nice solid brakes that slow very quickly if I give full braking to rear pedal. I'm sure part of it is the rear system was fully flushed and new brake fluid in there as well as brand new rear caliper brakes. But I also did something different this time. I added a Kuryakyn brake pedal arm and the wide Kuryakyn pad to it. It's the same brake pedal that is part of the Kury heel toe setup. I also mounted that so the pad sits a bit higher than where the stock pad on brake pedal was. It was a bit awkward at first but I have gotten used to it. When I push down on the pedal now, I get full travel of the arm which I think translates into more stopping power.

 

[Pegasus1300]

I know on my Spyder the 3 brakes are operated by the same master cylinder and like your car brakes it has a front and a rear section so if one end goes out you still have brakes. The ABS system is designed to work with all 3 wheels as is the traction control system since this was designed as a 3 wheel system from the beginning. The Spyder does stop very hard, but I have not seen a comparison between it, a two-wheeler and a trike conversion. Now that would make for an interesting study by someone.

 

[geol]

A few years back I had a 97 GL1500 Roadsmith conversion and the rear brakes were wooden and not effective. I contacted Roadsmith and was given an alternate brake disk w/part number and can't recall if they sent me some or I went to an autoparts store and bought them but the alternate pads were a lot better and the rear brakes actually got used more since they worked better.

 

[Ironhorse54]

Test show that two wheelers stop quicker than trikes because of the heavier weight of a trike. Two wheeler stopping from 60 miles an hour takes 127 feet. Trike takes 217 feet.

 

[Ironhorse54]

I forgot to add, it is recommended if on a trike to give yourself more distance when following vehicles because of the extra stopping distance that will be required.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I don't know about anyone else, both my 16 and 17 trikes rear brakes felt useless in the rain, very hard pedal and little stopping power. They were that way even when they were brand new.