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06/04/2006 - Dual CBS

Tech Spot: Dual CBS

HONDA HAS LONG led the way in advanced braking systems.

They were the first manufacturer to put disc brakes on a mass-produced road machine with the 1969 CB750 Four and by next year, it’s Honda’s aim to have an advanced braking system on the majority of its models as part of their aim to make motorcycling safer.

Honda began their involvement with a Combined Braking System (CBS) through racing. The Endurance RCB1000 racer from 1976-on won consecutive victories in races and was equipped with a pedal brake CBS which worked on the front and rear wheels simultaneously. The objective was to reduce rider fatigue during gruelling 24 hour races.

For a road machine, Honda saw that to provide maximum stopping power and minimum stopping distance both front and rear brakes need to be applied properly. Therefore the CBS system was developed to enable anyone to get the correct application of front and rear brakes at any time.

The first machine to use the Dual Combined Braking System was the 1993 model year CBR1000F machine. Effectively, the front brake lever operated four pistons on each front brake caliper and two pistons in the rear caliper. Depressing the rear brake pedal operates two pistons at the rear and two at the front. Since 1993 the system has been refined and found itself a wider range of machines. Honda has constantly questioned its customers about their feelings on CBS and the vast majority think it is a positive addition to their motorcycles.

For more on CBS and ABS go to: world.honda.com/motorcycle-technology/brake