BETTER BRAKE SYSTEM

[alfredoenrique]

HI GUYS, IM NOT REALLY HAPPY WITH THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY BAGGY 2005 SUPERMOTO...IM USED TO SPORT BIKE BRAKES, THEY SEEM A BIT MORE SNAPPY ON THE RESPONSE THAN THESE BRAKES...HAS ANYONE MODIFIED OR CHANGED THE BRAKE SYSTEM???? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[kendo]

Hi,
There are a few posts on here regarding improving the average front braking system, it involves using an early R1 front disc (with spacer) and VFR caliper along with a home made mounting bracket. I found that if the braking was to be upgraded it would put even more load on the "weak" front end, which i have improved by fitting longer preload spacers and heavier fork oil.

Kendo.

PS -- One of the problems with fitting a different caliper is the clearence between the spokes (if you have wire wheels) and the rear of the caliper and if you win the lottery there is also the expensive option of fitting a bespoke large disc and multi piston caliper.

[Garf]

There has been quite a lot on this subject over the last few years as I think anybody who rides their Baggy with any sort of vigor at some point finds the front brake lacking. It isnt really surprising when you consider the 180ish kilo weight of the bike on a single disc with a cheap two pot sliding caliper to haul it up ......fine for general pottering about but not up to harder use.......especially when you are used to twin 320's and 4/6 pots on one of the UJM crotch rockets.

My Baggy has a four pot Beringer on a simple plate steel adaptor together with a Yam R1/R6 wavey disc and is a definate improvement over the standard set up. I also run a KTM Duke (Brembo) master cylinder but havent really used it much since it was installed due to an accident last year from which I am still recovering ........ however initial impressions are that this is a further improvement. I would have gone for a Brembo radial if I had the cash at the time but this one came up on Fleabay unused for not very much money so I thought I would give it a go.

I would also suggest that if you upgrade the brakes that you give the forks some attention.

Harrison Billet do a 6 pot direct bolt replacement but it costs a lot of cash ...... though they are very good units. Somebody on this forum fitted one so if you search "Harrison Billet" you will no doubt find the thread.

Another pssible route if you have the cash would be to fit the USD front end from the Yammie crosser (cant remember the model off hand) and then fit one of the many of the shelf SM brake conversions made for the Yammie. Better forks (when set up), better brakes and better looking !! Again search the forum as this has been done a few times (the fork swap anyway).

Happy fettling
Garf