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supercab95 · 09-01-2008, 03:05 PM

How do the drum brakes handle (versus disc brakes) on a Suzuki? I have my choices narrowed down to three: Honda 1300, Suzuki M50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I'm curious about the drum brakes on the Suzuki and the Swingarm rear suspension on the Kawasaki. Should these things actually be a concern?

12er · 09-01-2008, 04:15 PM

Rear brakes while important arent as much as fronts. 90% of your braking comes from the front wheel. Rear drums may actually be better for a first time rider as you may not lock them up as easily causing the bike to slide and fishtail. What is important is how big of a bike your looking at as your first ride. Get a smaller bike!

supercab95 · 09-01-2008, 06:39 PM

Thanks. I was wondering about the drum brake and how much difference that may make. The same way I was told by a friend who rides to steer clear of the swingarm rear suspension because of costs or repair. I may consider a Honda 750 instead of these - as far as a smaller bike is concerned.

newagetwotone · 09-01-2008, 06:43 PM

As said already, no. Because your concerns should be with the size and weight of your bike. None of the bikes your talking about are really good first bikes. Honestly I'd tell you to pick up a cheap dirt bike and ride it around inthe woods for a while. If your going to buy a street bike first look at something used, something lighter and something cheap because you WILL dump it and its easier on your mind if you dump a $2000 bike than a $8000 bike. Look at older DZR400s or an older Ninja 250, Light, quick, cheap.

supercab95 · 09-01-2008, 06:59 PM

Alright, thanks.

sachiwilson · 09-01-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercab95

The same way I was told by a friend who rides to steer clear of the swingarm rear suspension because of costs or repair.

ALL rear suspensions these days use a form of swingarm. What do you think it is?

seruzawa · 09-01-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercab95

Thanks. I was wondering about the drum brake and how much difference that may make. The same way I was told by a friend who rides to steer clear of the swingarm rear suspension because of costs or repair. I may consider a Honda 750 instead of these - as far as a smaller bike is concerned.

By "swingarm" I think you mean "softail." Except for a few cruisers all motorcycles have swingarms, like the Honda750 you mentioned.

sarnali2 · 09-01-2008, 09:16 PM

Drum brakes work alright but I don't see why they bother with them anymore really. The cost of manufacturing drums for a few models when the costs for disc's on everything else was amortized 20 years ago seems like a pointless expense to me.

Maybe I'm missing something here.....

seruzawa · 09-02-2008, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarnali2

Drum brakes work alright but I don't see why they bother with them anymore really. The cost of manufacturing drums for a few models when the costs for disc's on everything else was amortized 20 years ago seems like a pointless expense to me.

Maybe I'm missing something here.....

You can bet that the drums they are making today are well amortized too.

sarnali2 · 09-02-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

You can bet that the drums they are making today are well amortized too.

Good point! excellent use of facts and data!.....

09-01-2008, 03:05 PM	#1
supercab95 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4	First rider concerns over picking bike How do the drum brakes handle (versus disc brakes) on a Suzuki? I have my choices narrowed down to three: Honda 1300, Suzuki M50 or Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I'm curious about the drum brakes on the Suzuki and the Swingarm rear suspension on the Kawasaki. Should these things actually be a concern?

09-01-2008, 09:16 PM	#8
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	Drum brakes work alright but I don't see why they bother with them anymore really. The cost of manufacturing drums for a few models when the costs for disc's on everything else was amortized 20 years ago seems like a pointless expense to me. Maybe I'm missing something here..... __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

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09-01-2008, 04:15 PM	#2
12er Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SF Posts: 2,702	Rear brakes while important arent as much as fronts. 90% of your braking comes from the front wheel. Rear drums may actually be better for a first time rider as you may not lock them up as easily causing the bike to slide and fishtail. What is important is how big of a bike your looking at as your first ride. Get a smaller bike!

09-01-2008, 06:39 PM	#3
supercab95 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4	Thanks. I was wondering about the drum brake and how much difference that may make. The same way I was told by a friend who rides to steer clear of the swingarm rear suspension because of costs or repair. I may consider a Honda 750 instead of these - as far as a smaller bike is concerned.

09-01-2008, 06:43 PM	#4
newagetwotone Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,302	As said already, no. Because your concerns should be with the size and weight of your bike. None of the bikes your talking about are really good first bikes. Honestly I'd tell you to pick up a cheap dirt bike and ride it around inthe woods for a while. If your going to buy a street bike first look at something used, something lighter and something cheap because you WILL dump it and its easier on your mind if you dump a $2000 bike than a $8000 bike. Look at older DZR400s or an older Ninja 250, Light, quick, cheap.

09-01-2008, 06:59 PM	#5
supercab95 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4	Alright, thanks.