Braking performance question.

[Weirdbeard1000]

This isn't directed at anyone model specifically.

Is there any benefit or disadvantage to the brake calipers being mounted in front of, or behind the fork legs?

I'm not sure why, but I've been thinking about this for a while now. I can't really see an advantage one vs the other. Did manufacturers make the change to behind the forks simply because it looks better?

What are your thoughts?

[ConnerVT]

Just shooting from the hip, but I'll throw out some ideas. Don't think any of them make a significant difference.

-- The rotation of the wheel, during braking, would pull a front mounted caliper away from the fork. One mounted behind the fork would be pushed into the fork. Easier to design a mounting system that doesn't rely on the fasteners for strength when mounted behind.

-- Calipers are unsprung weight. It may make the slightest difference (and probably small enough to be unimportant) to move that weight back, closer to the bike's center of gravity.

[jabcb]

Placing the calipers behind the fork legs moves the weight closer to the axis of rotation (for left left/right handlebar motion).

[tz375]

+1

It's a steering question and not a braking issue. That said, a set of SV650 calipers and modern light disks make a huge difference