Do I need to upgrade my brakes?
 

Not really happy with the performance on the brakes when needed in a slight emergency! :eek:

I just didn't seem to get a response from them!

Would changing the pads make any difference?

I've heard braided hoses make a difference but do they just make them sharp and remove the gradual braking?

thanks in advance

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

My K3 had HH pads in as standard on the front. I used them once for an emergency stop and had the rear wheel 2 feet in the air, although by that time I had ditched the standard Dunlop tyre on the front.

Tim.

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Got the standard tyre and I belive the standard pads!

I'm worried locking the back wheel which I've already done before and was worried about pulling a stoppie! Would cack meself! lol

But there just seem to be any stopping power, took me quite to way to actually stop! Not good when i've got a car stopped infront of me. stopped just 1/3 of a Metre away! Needless to say felt a bit sick once i'd stopped!

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Bikes have a very small contact patch when braking, and will take longer than a modern car to stop - you have to take this into account when riding and leave yourself space and time to either stop or avoid a situation arising in front of you. The fact that you didn't pile into the vehicle in front shows that you left enough space...:cool:

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Jesus, only just!!!!!

Blooming sun! Couldn't see the brakes lights, then thought, hmm I'm getting closer to them cars pretty quick, oh wait its stopping! Oh dear!

Didn't like that feeling!

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Both of which theres nothing wrong with.

You just need to practice your braking technique. Go find a large empty space such as a carpark and practice braking hard, you'll be amazed at just how hard you can brake, before you lock a wheel up, also you'll be more confident with the brakes then so if you have an emergency again you'll find you'll stop better.

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Don't think there's a rider that does, my first off was caused by me not anticipating obscured brake lights under direct sunlight, just chalk it up to experience and be grateful you got away with it, the SV has plenty of stopping power to haul it up on the road, might be worth servicing them if they're feeling a bit mushy and installing braided lines if you need more feel - if you were abusing it on the track then consider upgrading but not for normal riding, spend the money on an advanced riding course instead:cool:

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

try and adjust the span adjuster thingy on the top of the lever. It does seem to make a difference. I;ve been riding my yellow SV that has the girly setting of 5 on it.
Mot's my black one this week and thought the brakes were funny, until I adjusted it from 2 to 4.
Might sound odd, but you have to pull it further on 'man' setting!

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Hhmm thanks Dizzy, I've got on the most girly setting don't know what number, whichever one brought it closer the the throttle. So would turning it the other way give me more feel?
Lone wolf, further training already sorted doing Roadcraft on Thursday! :)

Re: Do I need to upgrade my brakes!
 

Absolutely right. You need to hone the skill of hard / emergency braking, just like any other skill. The big difference with hard braking as a skill is that one rarely uses it in the course of a ride, because one actively tries to avoid situations where it is needed. Therefore a concious effort is needed to maintain the skill.