When did LT's not have power brakes?

[Allred]

I've been riding my '04 RT for about a year now, and still cannot say I am comfortable with the power assisted brakes. Especially tippy-toeing through the road construction zones at slow speeds. Now thinking of selling the RT and buying a used LT. What year models, in any, could I consider that are free of power assisted brakes?

Thanks

Allred
3 Beemers already and and maybe an LT soon?

[Ted Shred]

99-2001 LT's did not have the power assisted linked brakes.

I've owned both. I would buy the newest LT you can afford and learn to like the brakes. I have no complaints with my 03 after 12k miles in the last year, just took a little getting used to.

[CharlieVT]

There are LTs that don't have power (servo-assisted) brakes.

Didn't the servo-assisted brakes come and then go again?

Early models: no servo-assist, no linkage.

Later: servo-assist and linkage.

Newest: linked but no servo-assist.


Someone will post if I am correct and the actual years.

[Ted Shred]

There are LTs that don't have power (servo-assisted) brakes.

Didn't the servo-assisted brakes come and then go again?

Early models: no servo-assist, no linkage.

Later: servo-assist and linkage.

Newest: linked but no servo-assist.


Someone will post if I am correct and the actual years.

NOT correct.

All 2002 and newer model year LT's have the same power assisted linked braking system.

[motorhead]

Purchased an OLDER LT so I could get the un-linked brakes .... personally don't like the newer system.

[SurfMan]

I got a 2009 and it's assisted and linked....

Besides, just learn to drive with it. When I need to maneuver on a dime, I always drag the rear brake while keeping my engine pulling al the time. Keeps you from tipping over, but keeps the speed down. When going tad too fast, just press down on the rear brake more, instead of closing the throttle. Closing the throttle at very low speeds will cause most of the drops.

This sort of manouver is mandatory when taking your license test in The Netherlands btw...

[gbob]

I would test ride one with power brakes before I would decide not to like them.
The power brake LT is much larger bike , I have a 99 and have ridden an 05 and I think they are GREAT! best stopping bike I have been on . Just no "dead stick landings" with the key off the brakes are almost all gone ,even when pushing bike into garage .

Bob G

[jdsd-tourteam]

I think the brakes on my 05 LT are life-savers. Yes, they don't require much to make them work (two fingers on the front is plenty to get speed down fast).

I had a 63 Mercury that had power brakes that - at first - seemed so sensitive that they could launch you through the windshield. But I got used to them.

I had a 99 LT and it's brakes were not as sensitive as the 05. I have learned to be less forceful on the brakes on the 05.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I were coming back from the NJ shore and we had just crested one of the bridges that links NJ to PA. The traffic in my lane was moving briskly and then the cars in front of me (a 5-series BMW right in front) had to stop NOW. So I had to stop NOW. The 05 LT brakes did just that. My wife slid forward into me and our helmets clanked. But we were upright, stopped, and fine really. I just don't think I could have stopped that fast and controlled on any other bike I've had.

I really like these brakes.

Jon

[cccpastorjack]

Actually, I believe there were some "refinements" made in '03 as the brakes on the '02 seemed to "grab" excessively. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

[Allred]

OK, thanks for feedback. Maybe on heavier LT brakes won't be as grabby as on an RT. I'll try to keep an open mind and actually ride one. One thing I have noticed, is that seat height on LT is lower than RT, so, maybe with feet getting a better grip when stopped, I won't worry so much about the brakes doing the same :)

In the meantime, does the brake system also "whine" (sound of power servo) when stopped, but brakes applied, such as waiting for a traffic light to change, on a hill?

Allred
Old, (from the era of drum brakes....)

[CharlieVT]

Actually, I believe there were some "refinements" made in '03 as the brakes on the '02 seemed to "grab" excessively. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

So that's what I was remembering.
Thanks for clarification. I stand corrected, was thinking the assisted brakes went away when there was a "problem"; so the power brakes weren't discontinued, but rather "refined".

[djfalkenstein]

My 07 LT has exactly the same brake mechanism as my 05 RT did (to my surprise). And yes, it makes a noise. I think of it as a tummy growl.

[SurfMan]

In the meantime, does the brake system also "whine" (sound of power servo) when stopped, but brakes applied, such as waiting for a traffic light to change, on a hill?

Yes it does.

[taylorjn]

NOT correct.

All 2002 and newer model year LT's have the same power assisted linked braking system.

Uh, not quite. My 07 has VERY different brakes than my 02 - not nearly as grabby, plus can trail the rear, especially at lower speeds.