How do you improve SV brakes?

The brakes on my 650 K5 are not great in comparison with other bikes I've ridden, are there any upgrades that can be done to get things sharper? For instance can you add 4 pot callipers easily, if so which ones?

Sorry if this has been asked before but couldn't find a specific thread

Thanks

sell it & buy a gixxer?

[Stu]

Pm dirtydog for a set of adapter plates to allow you to use the Gixxer 4 pot callipers.
unless you can be bothered doing the whole front end conversion to Gixxer forks, yokes, wheel etc.

I have read that because of the forks, serious brake upgrades aren't a good idea because the forks can't take the forces? I don't know if this is true or not.
I have braided hoses on mine, dunno what difference it makes as they've been on there since I got it

I hear good things about sintered brake pads.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by svrob

The brakes on my 650 K5 are not great in comparison with other bikes I've ridden, are there any upgrades that can be done to get things sharper? For instance can you add 4 pot callipers easily, if so which ones?

Sorry if this has been asked before but couldn't find a specific thread

Thanks

IMO there's nowt wrong with the brakes, just the forks can't take it.

Personally I say the brakes on the SV are more then capable, maybe they have been badly serviced and that is the problem. Though if I was you i'd also invest in some heavier fork oil.

[Stu]

But it's nice to get real stopping power with just 1 or 2 fingers that the Gixxer calipers give you.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by svrob

The brakes on my 650 K5 are not great in comparison with other bikes I've ridden

There's your problem, go out and ride a CG125 in the wet, and any early 80s jap bike.

Then take the SV out.

They'll be far better than the ones you've just used

Originally Posted by Stu

But it's nice to get real stopping power with just 1 or 2 fingers that the Gixxer calipers give you.

When my SV brakes have been serviced properly and I think still now (as its done without thinking) I use 2 fingers. Nothing to do with having Gixxer calipers

Originally Posted by jambo

There's your problem, go out and ride a CG125 in the wet, and any early 80s jap bike.

Then take the SV out.

They'll be far better than the ones you've just used

I remember that from going from mthe GT750 to the SV, but even the GT stopped with 2 fingers as I got it serviced right.

[flymo]

I totally agree that the SV brakes are more than good enough.

I raced an 86' fzr 400 for years and they only had a single piston in each caliper. It would stop as hard as you dared and can lock a wheel no problem.

Its more about practice although you need to make sure the brakes are kept in good order, particularly with respect to how clean the pistons and calipers are.

Whenever I've ridden bikes with crap brakes its almost always down to poor brake bleeding, dirty brake pistons/calipers or old fluid.

The best advice I was given when I first got on the track was to practice locking the wheel, daft as it sounds. Find your self a quiet carpark and practice applying the brakes, getting more firm with them each time. Gradually you will feel yourself getting to the point when you are about to lock the front wheel at about 20mph, or maybe even lock it. Obviously you need to let the pressure off immeadiately on the lever.

After you've done that for a while you will have taught yourself a)what it feels like and b)how to react to a front wheel lock in an emergency. It may well come in handy on the road.

Mike