Is my parking brake broken?

[GatorGreg]

I can't get it to work. The button seems to engage when I pull it out but the wheels still seem to roll freely. There's nothing really in the owner's manual about the parking brake other than I think it said hold the left brake lever when you engage it? Fortunately I have no hills where I park but this is a new scooter so I expect it to work. Am I missing something simple in its operation? Thanks for any help.

[Eiron]

No, you just need to take up a bit of the slack in the cable. Do you have the Owner's Manual? Page 73 shows you how much freeplay the brake lever should have, & pgs 74-75 show you how to adjust the cable slack. Once you've got the extra slack removed, your parking brake should engage properly. It only locks the rear wheel.

[homie]

Eiron is correct and it takes 5 seconds to adjust but beware of its potential to burn off your brake shoes if you forget to release it... and you will. There are no indicator lights that the E-brake is on.

[GatorGreg]

Thanks for your help guys - I guess it helps to RT(entire)FM It works now!

[MikeP]

Eiron is correct and it takes 5 seconds to adjust but beware of its potential to burn off your brake shoes if you forget to release it... and you will. There are no indicator lights that the E-brake is on.

I have forgotten it engaged on two occasions. Luckily no damage, but now I ensure the bike rolls free before starting the engine and taking off.

[ScooteringAbout]

The PCX has a handbrake?

[GatorGreg]

The PCX has a handbrake?

Well sort of - I'm actually referring in this post to what Honda technically calls the "Rear Brake Lock" which is activated by the "Brake Lock Knob" located below the glove compartment. The Owner's Manual doesn't talk about it much - I get the impression they think it's just to help keep the rear wheel from spinning on start up while the engine warms up - it's referenced on pages 29, 30, and 33 of my USA version's Owner's Manual. I always assumed it had a similar function to the parking/emergency brake in a car - to help keep your scooter from accidentally rolling away while parked. But since it only works on the rear brake it would be useless for this purpose when parked with the center stand - might help though when parking with the side stand I guess.

[homie]

The PCX has a handbrake?

Yours won't, it's not something I like to look at on mine and would prefer it didn't have. Never use it at all because I know I will forget to release it every time.

[JohnL]

It should be made clear to newbies on the forum, not all models have the parking brake. The Australian version of the PCX doesn't have one, and other countries also.

[GatorGreg]

It should be made clear to newbies on the forum, not all models have the parking brake. The Australian version of the PCX doesn't have one, and other countries also.

Thanks - this helps confirm to me what I sort of suspected - it's a totally unnecessary "feature" that I won't waste my time using

[honkerman]

Here's the thing with the parking brake...It locks the back wheel. When the scooter is on its center stand, the preferred parking method, the back wheel does not touch the ground...yeah......

[jon_l]

Here's the thing with the parking brake...It locks the back wheel. When the scooter is on its center stand, the preferred parking method, the back wheel does not touch the ground...yeah......

I always assumed the parking brake is so the bike doesn't roll off side-stand. I only use the side stand when getting off the bike, then put it on the center stand.

I don't use my parking brake since so many reported issues with it sticking. I'd prefer a lock on the hand lever, since you would notice that right away.

[homie]

I don't use my parking brake since so many reported issues, I'd prefer a lock on the hand lever, since you would notice that right away.

Now here is the voice of reason... does such a thing exist?

[you you]

I don't use my parking brake since so many reported issues, I'd prefer a lock on the hand lever, since you would notice that right away.

Now here is the voice of reason... does such a thing exist?

Reason or hand lever locks?