Crazy Buell Front Brake Discs: Yea or Nay?

[PassioneDucati]

I´ve always been fascinated by the distinctive style of Buell´s sportbikes, but when I saw the brake discs on the 2008 models, I almost fell out of my chair.

It looked like something from a custom show bike and I couldn´t believe Buell had the balls to put something so wild on ALL of its production models.

Personally, I don´t like it because I think it´s overdone and I think it makes the brakes look fragile/delicate, but I know nothing about Buells.

I just had to ask the real Buell fans. What is up with this? Do you like it? Gotta respect Buell for having the kojones to do this.

[tuberattler]

That is awesome!! The larger the diamater of the disc the cooler it runs and the more efficent it is and easier to stop with.

I personally think that is hot!

[Dodsfall]

I'm really surprised they don't use dual disks on the front wheel.

Tuberattler has it right. There is a lot more total surface area with this set up and cool brakes are more efficient than hot ones.

[buellosaurusrex]

They don't need dual discs and the added unsprung weight and complications that follow. The Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) brake had been a staple on all the Buells since the XB's debut in 2002 and they will literally toss you over the bars like a rodeo bull if you squeeze 'em hard enough. Think about it; why attach a small, heavy disc to the center of both hubs when you can attach a light disc to the very rim of the wheel, right where the braking force is needed? Test ride one and you'll see what I mean!

[PassioneDucati]

Wow guys I had no idea that these brakes had such a functional purpose. I thought they were just for show.

Now that I think about it, that really does make sense!

[Zack]

With the braking force on the rim, the spokes and hub are really light-weight.
The whole front wheel is about the same weight as the rear tire.
The original ZTL brake is a six piston caliper.
The ZTL2 on the 1125R is a production-grade version of the brake on the XBRR race-bike.
It has an eight piston caliper and is the best brake I've ever used.

[buellosaurusrex]

Thanks, Zack. I knew the 1125 brakes were somehow different, but sounds like they're a whole leap of technology different. Could you post some pix of your brakes close-up if you get a chance?
BTW- how was Homecoming?

[Zack]

Loretta gets a power-wash today, it's my Sunday, I'll try to get some brake shots.
I'll get some pix from Homecoming up this evening.

You can go to the Buell website, log in as an owner.
Go to "events" and clik on the 25th Anniversary, they have a bunch of pix too.

[sbkal08]

According to an article I read, there is no conclusive evidence that the ZTL is any more effective than a conventional dual disc set up. As an owner of two Buell XBs, I have not noticed any advantage save giving a full view of the gorgeous Buell front wheel. Best looking stock wheel in the business IMO. The best brakes I ever experienced were the set on my '98 ZX9R. Great feel and made a cool Zzzttt! sound when I squeezed the lever!

[buellosaurusrex]

Who wrote the article? And what do they ride? I remember the same sort of apples-to-oranges talk back when they started putting discs on the front. The naysayers said the only advantage was improved resistance to "brake fade". Wonder what they'd say now?:D

[sbkal08]

I don't remember who wrote it. I came across it while searching for performance mods to my XB12R and XB9 soon-to-be track bike. I tend to agree, though. I don't see any difference between ZTL and conventional dual set-ups.

[buellosaurusrex]

I don't remember who wrote it. I came across it while searching for performance mods to my XB12R and XB9 soon-to-be track bike. I tend to agree, though. I don't see any difference between ZTL and conventional dual set-ups.

The difference is this; LOWER UNSPRUNG WEIGHT. Stopping power on a set of dual Brembos is probably as good, or better. It's unsprung weight reduction Erik is after.

[sbkal08]

I'm just saying, I don't notice any braking difference in my daily rider XB12R than in previous dual front braked sportbikes I've owned, a '93 GSXR750 and a '02 GSXR1000. I do however, have to give the nod to my ZX9 because its brakes were simply phenomenal. I had to replace my stock brake lines on the 1K to get a similar feel of the stock Kaw. I LIKE the ZTL, but I'm not aware of increased stopping power or a more supple front end. I do have to say that the Buell front end feels a bit twitchy. Now, I don't know how much less the ZTL rotor weighs than a pair of litre bike rotors, but I have to wonder if putting that weight outboard creates more rotating mass? A centrifugal braking system on a baitcasting reel or an figure skater doing a spin comes to mind. Any physics guys reading this?