Braking performance

[drbyers]

Is it just me or is braking performance on the older generation SVs mediocre? I've had 600s, 675s and liter bikes and they've all had significantly better braking performance. I mean, it's not even close. My current 2006 has abysmal stopping power.

I've sanded down the pads and rotors and bled the brakes. The only thing I haven't done is a brake pad upgrade. It's just unnerving how long it takes to come to a complete stop.

[shiftin_gear98]

I managed to stop on my K6 from about 85 to a stand still in about 4 car lengths when an Audi driver changed his mind and the room ran out really quick. No idea how I managed to warp the laws of physics but I'm really glad I did. I don't think the Audi driver quite believed it either.


Nothing wrong with SV brakes - and mine could really do with a service.

[Bibio]

with all two pot sliding callipers they need serviced properly and regularly to get the best out of them.

when i say serviced i mean a proper strip down to individual components and seal grooves cleaned out then assembled with RRG. same goes for the mater cylinders.

the best pads i have used are DP Brakes (Dunlop Pads), their bite, feel and wet weather stopping is superb. EBC by comparison feel wooden.

v-twins dont need massive stopping power as they have lots of engine braking and most long term riders of them tend not to use the brakes much and instead rely on the engine braking. i have a gsxr front end and radial brakes on my SV and its a lethal combination with the engine braking, its too good.

[Craig380]

Brakes on my K6 are fine, I can get the back wheel off the ground with two fingers. It's two years since I bled them and greased the slide pins, although I don't ride when it's wet so they see minimal water/salt spray

[Talking Heads]

Braking performance is limited by grip betwixt tyre and road rather than hardware.


SV brakes just require a harder pull.

[johnnyrod]

My bike has about 45k on it now and the brakes definitely aren't as good as they used to be, even after a good going over. I've not looked at the sliding pins for wear, but a good few years ago you could haul it up a lot quicker. I'm referring to track riding, where you get plenty of opportunity to heave on the brakes hard and repeatedly, as well as road riding where like Bibs says, you don't need them that much once you're out of town.

[Bibio]

brakes cant be that bad as the supertwin racers have to use them and they go pretty fekin quick.

[andrewsmith]

brakes cant be that bad as the supertwin racers have to use them and they go pretty fekin quick.Well Berlin used to haul up a minitwin plus 20st exceptionally well with standard brakes and race pads

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[johnnyrod]

My experience is clearly no match for your anecdote. Perhaps mileage and an £80 set of brake pads are in there somewhere.

[andrewsmith]

My experience is clearly no match for your anecdote. Perhaps mileage and an £80 set of brake pads are in there somewhere.Was using it as an example. Tbh that bike could have had a 100k on it as the speedo failed at 60k

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[R1ffR4ff]

The braking on my 1999 Curvy is superb :)

IME Brake Master cylinders can wear like clutches e.g you may not know inefficient they have become until you put a new one on assuming all the rest of the system is nominal.

My 10 Penn'th.

[fizzwheel]

I think it depends on your viewpoint.

Like the OP when I went back to my SV after riding my GSX-R and Liz's Ducati I thought the brakes on the SV were lacking, but up until that point I never really thought they were not up to the job.

I'd echo the other comment about servicing and maintenance, especially if the OP is an all weather rider...

[proze]

brakes cant be that bad as the supertwin racers have to use them and they go pretty fekin quick.

Maybe they go quick because they're *not* using them... :p