Do I need to upgrade my brakes?

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

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

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.

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!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

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!

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...

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!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

Got the standard tyre and I belive the standard pads!

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.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Ruthja2801

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!

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

[dizzyblonde]

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!

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!

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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.

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.