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Floating Rotor?

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Wideglide85, Sep 9, 2010.

  1. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    Need a new rear brake rotor & have been thinking about a full-floater from EBC. Does the floating style really work that much better? They cost about twice as much as a solid polished stainless one. Any ideas? Thanks guys...
    Wideglide85, Sep 9, 2010
    #1
  3. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    i havent noticed any real difference between the two......the buttons do start to rattle after a while, but they are rebuildable........
    chucktx, Sep 10, 2010
    #2
  4. HarleysLR

    HarleysLR Active Member

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    you can get one form Harley for about $130.00 -150.00
    I have them on my bike maybe a little better braking than my wifes but not enough to really notice.
    HarleysLR, Sep 11, 2010
    #3
  5. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    I can understand the principal of the floaters, but if the wheel/rotor is straight & parallel with the pads a solid rotor should work just as good. Think I'll go with the solid stinless one. Thanks for the input.
    Wideglide85, Sep 12, 2010
    #4
  6. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    A Floatin rotor is suppose to run cooler right..........
    cardboard, Sep 12, 2010
    #5
  7. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    I think that's why they use 'em on crotch rockets, CB. I don't plan on having to slow down from 150mph anyway... :)
    Wideglide85, Sep 12, 2010
    #6
  8. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    What!!!!!!!!

    You drive slow.........:rant:
    cardboard, Sep 12, 2010
    #7
  9. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Not sure what came on my 03 E Glide but they stop me & thats a good thing:D
    cowboy, Sep 12, 2010
    #8
  10. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    The new bikes startin in 08 has brembo brakes, they stop even better.
    cardboard, Sep 13, 2010
    #9
  11. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    While I don't plan on buying a newer bike , My 03 does just fine & beside the wife says she want's another bike , so she'll come first , right after we get cought up from all my dential work & Dads passing
    cowboy, Sep 13, 2010
    #10
  12. TopKat

    TopKat New Member

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    I have a 2010 FXDC and decided to change out both rotors to floating with black centers mostly because it just looks better. Yes, the front rotor is a floater from the factory but I just wanted them to match. Now I've been told that at least you should change the rear to a floater because there is a slight misalignement between the disc and caliper and a floater will compinsate for that. I have to tell you the ware pattern became wider and more consistant after I change it out. As far as better stoping power? Seems almost the same, maybe a little better. I suspect the brake shoes will last a bit longer and that aint so bad.
    TopKat, Sep 13, 2010
    #11
  13. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    Ridin' home from work in the pouring rain tonight got me to thinking about the floating rotors again... It's gonna work better than the worn out one I got now anyway.
    Wideglide85, Sep 13, 2010
    #12
  14. fxdxriderleo

    fxdxriderleo Active Member

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    I think that if your caliper is working right the rotor, solid or floating wont matter to much. Once the caliper gets to sticking and it wants to push the rotor sideways, a floating rotor wil help.
    I try to maintain my brakes so they stay working. Change fluid every year or so, take the calipers off and blow them out with the air hose and check that all the pistons move and retract smoothly. If any seem to bind I pull it apart and find out why. Often the groove the seal seats in has a build up of crud and pushes the seal against the piston to hard and won't let the piston slide.
    Clean the crud out reassemble and good brakes again.
    fxdxriderleo, Sep 13, 2010
    #13
  15. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    yup!!!
    chucktx, Sep 13, 2010
    #14
  16. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Its both, a good floating rotor disperses heat faster, less heat, more breaking power, heat causes fade.

    Solid rotors warp easier, floating allows the rotor to move and thus less ability to warp one.

    Best bet still is a good caliper, the new brembos on the HD's are way beyond the previous generation brakes, and the ABS takes it to a new level...
    hotroadking, Sep 14, 2010
    #15
  17. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    If it keeps rainin', I'm gonna need a full-floatin' motorcycle. :)
    Wideglide85, Sep 14, 2010
    #16
  18. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    I knew that......:D
    cardboard, Sep 14, 2010
    #17

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