Chinese Brake and Clutch levers

[Carlsv8]

Anyone bought a set of the short adjustable titax'ish levers from China , any good or a waste of £15 ?

[PieEater]

I had a set and they were fine for the money, worked as expected and I had confidence in them not failing. I had them in black and after a while the anodizing had a bit of a purplish tinge but nothing you would notice without looking. I had to take out the bush from one of the leavers and use the one from the OEM lever as it wasn't the right size, but that was no big deal. I stupidly dropped my bike and snapped one of the levers and couldn't wait for another set to arrive from China so I have a set of Titax's now, they do look better but perform the same. If I could have had next day delivery of the Chinese one's I would have gone with them again.

[Dustydes]

Got some last year but cant open page on ebay any more. Short folding type.
When they arrived the feral that the bolt goes through was the wrong size, seller sent out another set of feral's again wrong size.
Found out originals fitted so used them and got refund from seller.


They look good and have lasted well so far. I would buy another set
Mine were listed Yamaha YZF R1 R6 FZ1 FAZER R6S  £17.48


1st ride out I had not checked bolt on folding hinge, went to brake and my fingers flicked the lever up and out of the way, few seconds of panic as I folded lever back and the braked for roundabout. For that reason I wouldn't get folding as there is no real need on a road bike. 

[cl1ve2004]

got 'em on mine no prob..look good and functional too

[Freck]

Have a search of the forums, there's been a few threads all about these cheap levers. 

[Carlsv8]

Thanks for the replies Fellas, £15 posted is worth the risk.

[zed6]

used the Chinese levers on my zrx1200-zzr1100 and my fazer,never an issue with them,just check any allen screws are tight when you get them and pit a little threadlock on them,never an issue with them one bit

[Simon.Pieman]

I would reccomend you get the longest of the two varieties of chinese levers that are generally on offer. I can't help feeling that some of the riders who favour short levers are the same people who never practise emergency stops from speed, on a heavy old lump like the Fazer with 15 year old calipers it is so much more difficult using two fingers rather than four.
The brakes on the Gen 1 are good, but nothing like modern stuff where two fingered braking is pretty easy. I'm sure there are people here who do just fine (probably a lot younger than me!) with short levers on a Gen 1 but if you haven't tried a hard stop with the shorty levers i would give it a try just to make sure.

[Carlsv8]

I would reccomend you get the longest of the two varieties of chinese levers that are generally on offer. I can't help feeling that some of the riders who favour short levers are the same people who never practise emergency stops from speed, on a heavy old lump like the Fazer with 15 year old calipers it is so much more difficult using two fingers rather than four.
The brakes on the Gen 1 are good, but nothing like modern stuff where two fingered braking is pretty easy. I'm sure there are people here who do just fine (probably a lot younger than me!) with short levers on a Gen 1 but if you haven't tried a hard stop with the shorty levers i would give it a try just to make sure.

I've ordered the long set, the oe levers feel natural with their length so have tried to stay as close to original as possible. All down to the Chinese post office now.

[slappy]

I would reccomend you get the longest of the two varieties of chinese levers that are generally on offer. I can't help feeling that some of the riders who favour short levers are the same people who never practise emergency stops from speed, on a heavy old lump like the Fazer with 15 year old calipers it is so much more difficult using two fingers rather than four.
The brakes on the Gen 1 are good, but nothing like modern stuff where two fingered braking is pretty easy. I'm sure there are people here who do just fine (probably a lot younger than me!) with short levers on a Gen 1 but if you haven't tried a hard stop with the shorty levers i would give it a try just to make sure.

 


I tried some genuine Titax short levers on my FZ1s, could not get on with them at all, never felt comfortable under hard braking. Sold them on and bought cheap chinese standard length levers , feel a lot better

[Dustydes]

I would reccomend you get the longest of the two varieties of chinese levers that are generally on offer. I can't help feeling that some of the riders who favour short levers are the same people who never practise emergency stops from speed, on a heavy old lump like the Fazer with 15 year old calipers it is so much more difficult using two fingers rather than four.
The brakes on the Gen 1 are good, but nothing like modern stuff where two fingered braking is pretty easy. I'm sure there are people here who do just fine (probably a lot younger than me!) with short levers on a Gen 1 but if you haven't tried a hard stop with the shorty levers i would give it a try just to make sure.

Interesting


I use two fingers and can stop no problem. Blue spot calipers are still very good, maybe not like radials but very good. As long as your brakes are working as they should you will get the back in the air before you stop.
I also have XL hands and can get 4 fingers on the levers if I wanted

[Kenbob]

I didn't realise there was documented evidence that those who use short levers don't practice heavy braking as opposed to those with normal levers which do.

[Simon.Pieman]

I didn't realise there was documented evidence that those who use short levers don't practice heavy braking as opposed to those with normal levers which do.
[/quote


What documented evidence? I didn't go that far.

[ptolemyx]

Folding adjustable levers from China on all my bikes. No problems at all, though as others have said take care making sure everything is tightened and functioning properly when fitting. Yes I do feel 4 finger braking is occasionally warranted on the Fazer 1000 when the old brakes don't perform as well as the Brembo radials on the Busa with two fingers but it's no big deal, I have the length adjusted shortish but still easily able to 1,2,3,4 or even 5 finger (I'm from Devon , we also have webbed feet  :lol) braking.

[Kenbob]

[quote author=Kenbob link=topic=22266.msg257440#msg257440 date=1491238532]
I didn't realise there was documented evidence that those who use short levers don't practice heavy braking as opposed to those with normal levers which do.
[/quote


What documented evidence? I didn't go that far.

[/quote]


I was being facetious, sorry you didn't get that.

[Kenbob]

For your info, I have shorty levers on my thou and I stop perfectly well thank you,  mostly and hopefully not in an emergency but should the need arise then my levers would cope admirally as would I after 35 plus years of riding.
Incedentaly, where did you get that gem of information which suggests people with long levers practice emergency stops more than people with short levers, perhaps if I change back to long levers then I would be a better rider, is that what you're suggesting.

[Dave48]

I am average build but have always found the reach to clutch lever a minor annoyance so last week ordered a pair of alloy adjustable levers from SG Racing via their ebay shop for my 2016 Tracer700. They arrived next day & were easy enough to fit. Rode on Sunday & what a transformation!- I can easily span the clutch lever now which makes gear changes smoother & easier. The front brake wasnt an issue since the standard Yamaha lever is adjustable but I prefer the shape & feel of the new one. I bought them in blue to complement the bikes colour. In fact I was so pleased with them that on Saturday I ordered a pair for the Fazer which came yesterday-fitted in 10 mins-again impressed with quality & feel of these. Cant test ride Fazer yet as my engineering friend is rebushing the gear lever which has worn slightly oval on its shaft introducing some lateral movement which is an inconvenience I dont want to put up with-bike is showing 53000 miles and gearbox/clutch both in good condition.
I went for long levers for both bikes which gives plenty of room for 2,3 or 4 finger braking.
In my experience the blue spots on both 600 & thou are excellent brakes provided they are maintained properly-dont want any nasty 17 year old rubber hoses to detract from braking performance.
I realise I could have ordered ultra cheap ones from China/Hong Kong etc but these were priced midway between the cheap & the very dear ones & delivery was by return of post. Very happy! :lol

[mickvp]

almost the exact same reason for me buying chinese levers Dave - the clutch was just too much of a reach. The chinese ones have been fine for me (long ones), but the anodising is tarnishing a bit as they age. for £20 its no major headache to buy another set if its a serious gripe.

[Simon.Pieman]

For your info, I have shorty levers on my thou and I stop perfectly well thank you,  mostly and hopefully not in an emergency but should the need arise then my levers would cope admirally as would I after 35 plus years of riding.
Incedentaly, where did you get that gem of information which suggests people with long levers practice emergency stops more than people with short levers, perhaps if I change back to long levers then I would be a better rider, is that what you're suggesting.

No it isn't. I was inferring from the start that it is likely that the first time you find shorty levers don't suit you is when you practice an emergency stop - and i should have gone on to say a stop that takes effort, say from 100mph. I think most would agree that four fingers is best from that sort of speed.
I was only trying to contribute constructive discussion, not invite facicious comment.
Your first reaction to points you disagree with is to take it personally. Please try not to.

[PieEater]

I am average build but have always found the reach to clutch lever a minor annoyance so last week ordered a pair of alloy adjustable levers from SG Racing via their ebay shop for my 2016 Tracer700.......I realise I could have ordered ultra cheap ones from China/Hong Kong etc but these were priced midway between the cheap & the very dear ones & delivery was by return of post. Very happy! :lol

What are the chances that these are made in China to the same standards as the cheap ones you can order direct and that the extra cost is down to a third parties markup and shipping costs?