Linked/combine brake systems illegal?

[bombshelter13]

Hey guys, I was looking through the HTA and noticed this:


Motorcycles, etc.
(2) Every motorcycle, motor-assisted bicycle or power-assisted bicycle when being driven on a highway shall be equipped with at least two braking systems, each with a separate means of application, with one effective on the front wheel and one effective on the rear wheel. 2009, c. 5, s. 29 (1)

Does this mean that bikes with linked/combined braking systems are technically not legal to ride on public streets? It sounds like the law requires two braking systems that each independently brake a single wheel. A BMW bike with BMW's 'Integral ABS' (front brake leaver operates both brakes) wouldn't meet this requirement since it's not possible to operate the front brake without also activating the rear brake (no 'seperate means of application').

Insight?

 

[Rob MacLennan]

My example would be the 2000 VFR800, that I used to own. It used three 3-piston calipers. The front brake level activated the outside two pistons, on each of the front brakes, and the centre piston, of the rear brake. The rear brake did the opposite. This results in two discrete braking systems.

Then again, the code frequently lags behind the real-world application.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Interesting! I can see the day coming where some bikes or maxi-scooters with ABS ditch the lever and only provide you with a brake pedal for applying both brakes. I'm sure this was written to mirror legislation requiring cars to have two separate brake circuits. Perhaps this will one day be re-written to accommodate this.

 

[Brian P]

"... with one effective on the front wheel and one effective on the rear wheel ..."

Now, follow carefully. If you have one brake system that activates the front wheel (but also activates the rear), and one brake system that activates the rear wheel (but also activates the front), it still meets that requirement. It doesn't say the two systems can't be connected in some way.

If it said "with one effective on the front wheel only" etc then it would be a different story.

 

[sircastic]

The intent is that there are two brake systems so that if one fails you can use the other to slow and / or stop the vehicle. This is why automatic cars still have parking (emergency) brakes.

 

[Torren]

The intent is that there are two brake systems so that if one fails you can use the other to slow and / or stop the vehicle. This is why automatic cars still have parking (emergency) brakes.

If you pop the top on your master cylinder on your car you will notice there is 2 compartments for brake fluid. There is usually a slot in the baffle to allow fluid to equalize between the 2 sides, but you will notice that it does not go all the way down. The push rod in the master cylinder is also 2 different sections. This is how they achieve the 2 separate braking systems to comply with federal regulations. The mechanical emergency brake is not part of that requirement, but is part of another requirement.

Look at the first post on this like for a diagram..

http://www.miataturbo.net/showthread.php?t=56260

 

[OpenGambit]

"... with one effective on the front wheel and one effective on the rear wheel ..."

Now, follow carefully. If you have one brake system that activates the front wheel (but also activates the rear), and one brake system that activates the rear wheel (but also activates the front), it still meets that requirement. It doesn't say the two systems can't be connected in some way.

If it said "with one effective on the front wheel only" etc then it would be a different story.

I agree with this. That is precisely the argument that would be made by the manufacturer. But the truth is no one is going to actually go after a linked braking system.

 

[toysareforboys]

with BMW's 'Integral ABS' (front brake leaver operates both brakes)

The wording of the law is very interesting for sure!! The new CBR 250R has a linked brake as well. The rear foot brake operates both the front and rear brakes, but the front brake is just the front.

2011 CBR 250R - This motorcycle is equipped with a CombiBrake. Operating the front brake lever applies the front brake. Operating the rear brake pedal applies the rear brake and a portion of the front brake. For full braking effectiveness, use both the lever and pedal simultaneously, as you would with a conventional motorcycle braking system.

As with a conventional motorcycle braking system, excessively hard application of the brake controls may cause wheel lock, reducing control of the motorcycle.

This model is also equipped with an Antilock Brake System (ABS) designed to help prevent wheel lock up during hard braking on uneven or other poor surfaces while running straight. Although the wheel may not lock up if you are braking too hard in a turn the motorcycle can still lose traction, causing a loss of control.

ABS does not function if the battery is discharged.

ABS does not function at low speeds (approximately 10 km/h (6 mph) or
below).

ABS may be activated by riding over a sharp drop or rise in the road level.

It is important to follow the tyre recommendations page. The ABS computer works by comparing wheel speed. Non-recommended tyres can affect wheel speed and may confuse the ABS computer.

ABS is self-checking and always on.

ABS cannot make up for road conditions, bad judgment, or improper operation of the brakes. It is still your responsibility to ride at reasonable speeds for weather, road surface, and traffic conditions, and to leave a margin of safety.

In some situations, a motorcycle with ABS may require a longer stopping distance to stop on loose or uneven surfaces than an equivalent motorcycle without ABS.

Some cool info about ABS and combibrakes

-Jamie M.