Shorty brake lever

caineroad · November 16th, 2013, 01:58 PM

Struggling with whether to put shorty for my brake lever or not... the main reason is the aftermarket shorty that I got is adjustable, i want the brake to have more 'feel'. Anyone have experience with this, do you prefer long or short, and does the adjustable feature really changes anything in braking?

NevadaWolf · November 16th, 2013, 03:29 PM

I changed mine to a shorty adjustable because my fingers are too small to comfortably reach the stock. I also have a habit of resting two of my fingers over the lever at all times.

Not sure if it improved the feel, but it definitely has made it easier for me to squeeze the lever when needed.

caineroad · November 16th, 2013, 03:55 PM

U can adjust it so that you can pull less to get the brakinng right?

NevadaWolf · November 16th, 2013, 04:24 PM

Errr, maybe? Ah, or no?

Mostly it was to bring the lever in so where I can reach it. Unless I am misunderstanding, the amount of pull on the lever is the same, I just bring the starting position in closer to the throttle.

The adjuster on mine is on the lever itself, not on the actual mechanism thingy that engages the brake. (Really technical terms here, sorry.)

caineroad · November 16th, 2013, 04:56 PM

Yes i was referring to the lever adjustment, does it make make a shorter pull ?

Boom King · November 16th, 2013, 05:04 PM

You shouldn't need to pull the lever very much to have the brake bite. Are you sure the lack of feel isn't a symptom of something else in the brake system?

caineroad · November 16th, 2013, 05:22 PM

Theres nothing wrong in the system nor the brakes man, i am just hoping to get a sense what does the adjuster actually does on the brake side, to justify if it is worth installing. I installed the clutch side and i love it because now it takes shorter distance when you release the clutch for it to engage.

Dano · November 18th, 2013, 07:29 AM

I have shortys on both brake and clutch, they work fine. In my opinion they are more for cosmetic looks than performance

csmith12 · November 18th, 2013, 08:08 AM

To me, there is a significant difference in the "feel" of different levers. Haven broken off a couple on my 250, I honestly like the light feel of the ebay levers from the2wheels. I dunno how to explain it but here is what you do. Go to a few bike shops or your local bike night and pull a few levers, stock vs. aftermarket. Make sure you ask first and say thanks. For some, it's the feel of the brakes vs. the feel of the lever.

As far as it's worth on the brake side? It would be a personal thing. But when I ride track, I adjust it to the closest setting to ensure I get a good finger wrap around the lever for those really hard pulls. Slipping off isn't really a good option.

red5 · November 18th, 2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caineroad

Yes i was referring to the lever adjustment, does it make make a shorter pull ?

The adjustment for almost all aftermarket levers, shorty or standard, changes the position of the lever only when it is at rest, so it changes the reach to the lever but not the pull once you start to brake. 1 cm of lever travel will move the pistons in the caliper the same distance regardless of the setting.

the2wheels are good levers for the money. But, I think my braided front line changed the "feel" more than the levers.

broilmebk · November 18th, 2013, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red5

The adjustment for almost all aftermarket levers, shorty or standard, changes the position of the lever only when it is at rest, so it changes the reach to the lever but not the pull once you start to brake. 1 cm of lever travel will move the pistons in the caliper the same distance regardless of the setting.

the2wheels are good levers for the money. But, I think my braided front line changed the "feel" more than the levers.

NevadaWolf · November 18th, 2013, 10:36 AM

Thanks @red5, that was what I was wanting to get across but was lacking the words to do so.

November 16th, 2013, 01:58 PM	#1
caineroad ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Toronto Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja SE Posts: 103	Shorty brake lever Struggling with whether to put shorty for my brake lever or not... the main reason is the aftermarket shorty that I got is adjustable, i want the brake to have more 'feel'. Anyone have experience with this, do you prefer long or short, and does the adjustable feature really changes anything in braking?

November 16th, 2013, 03:29 PM	#2
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	I changed mine to a shorty adjustable because my fingers are too small to comfortably reach the stock. I also have a habit of resting two of my fingers over the lever at all times. Not sure if it improved the feel, but it definitely has made it easier for me to squeeze the lever when needed. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

November 16th, 2013, 04:24 PM	#4
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Errr, maybe? Ah, or no? Mostly it was to bring the lever in so where I can reach it. Unless I am misunderstanding, the amount of pull on the lever is the same, I just bring the starting position in closer to the throttle. The adjuster on mine is on the lever itself, not on the actual mechanism thingy that engages the brake. (Really technical terms here, sorry.) __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

November 18th, 2013, 08:08 AM	#9
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	To me, there is a significant difference in the "feel" of different levers. Haven broken off a couple on my 250, I honestly like the light feel of the ebay levers from the2wheels. I dunno how to explain it but here is what you do. Go to a few bike shops or your local bike night and pull a few levers, stock vs. aftermarket. Make sure you ask first and say thanks. For some, it's the feel of the brakes vs. the feel of the lever. As far as it's worth on the brake side? It would be a personal thing. But when I ride track, I adjust it to the closest setting to ensure I get a good finger wrap around the lever for those really hard pulls. Slipping off isn't really a good option. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

November 18th, 2013, 10:36 AM	#12
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Thanks @red5, that was what I was wanting to get across but was lacking the words to do so. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

November 16th, 2013, 03:55 PM	#3
caineroad ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Toronto Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja SE Posts: 103	U can adjust it so that you can pull less to get the brakinng right?

November 16th, 2013, 04:56 PM	#5
caineroad ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Toronto Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja SE Posts: 103	Yes i was referring to the lever adjustment, does it make make a shorter pull ?

November 16th, 2013, 05:04 PM	#6
Boom King So, where's the reverse? Name: Anson Location: Ontario, Canada Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	You shouldn't need to pull the lever very much to have the brake bite. Are you sure the lack of feel isn't a symptom of something else in the brake system?

November 16th, 2013, 05:22 PM	#7
caineroad ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Toronto Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja SE Posts: 103	Theres nothing wrong in the system nor the brakes man, i am just hoping to get a sense what does the adjuster actually does on the brake side, to justify if it is worth installing. I installed the clutch side and i love it because now it takes shorter distance when you release the clutch for it to engage.

November 18th, 2013, 07:29 AM	#8
Dano ninjette.org sage Name: Dan Location: Perryopolis, PA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09' Blue Ninja 250R and 07' Honda 919 Posts: 605	I have shortys on both brake and clutch, they work fine. In my opinion they are more for cosmetic looks than performance