GSXR600 brake adaptor plates - first impressions

Originally Posted by jonboy

I've only ever found the need to use two fingers on the front brake lever, and while they could obviously be better, honestly don't think the SV's brakes are as bad as everyone makes out.


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No, they really are

Saying that, fixing the front end with emulators, springs and oil allows the brakes to work much better.

Have you thought about going down the emulator route Greg?

I've thought about it, but the bank balance just doesn't allow it. Still, I'm trying to slow down as it is .


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Originally Posted by jonboy

I've thought about it, but the bank balance just doesn't allow it. Still, I'm trying to slow down as it is .


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Emulators will help you slow down

Jonboy, my answer to that is that they are and they aren't! When everything goes to plan I don't even touch my front brakes. The SV has such strong engine braking that only a dab of rear brake is needed when coming to a complete stop.

So, what am I doing any of this for? Well, I had a situation where three cars pulled out on me when I was doing 100mph plus in quick sucession. The third time I went to stop the brakes had faded so badly I almost ran into the car. Another time an R1 I was following at 120 decided that they had seen a non existent speed trap - and shot backward at such a rapid pace that I only missed them by inches. Now you could very rightly say that I should not be going so fast or be out there playing amongst proper bikes, but that is what I do, and I want to make sure that I live through it!

Originally Posted by sdusk

Jonboy, my answer to that is that they are and they aren't! When everything goes to plan I don't even touch my front brakes. The SV has such strong engine braking that only a dab of rear brake is needed when coming to a complete stop.

So, what am I doing any of this for? Well, I had a situation where three cars pulled out on me when I was doing 100mph plus in quick sucession. The third time I went to stop the brakes had faded so badly I almost ran into the car. Another time an R1 I was following at 120 decided that they had seen a non existent speed trap - and shot backward at such a rapid pace that I only missed them by inches. Now you could very rightly say that I should not be going so fast or be out there playing amongst proper bikes, but that is what I do, and I want to make sure that I live through it!

Good brakes won't compensate for crap observational skills.

So....you don't use the front brake but you don't like it? I find someone who says that they don't use a front brake scary. I would hate to be anywhere near you on the road.

I never had a problem with the brakes on the SV personally, yes they aren't absolutely amazing but they do the job if you use them of course.

Flamin_squirrel, do not read extra into what I have said. In the situations I have mentioned there was ample room *if* the brakes had worked correctly as they do on other bikes. Last night another R1 decided to stop for no good reason (what is it with these R1 riders ), and it posed no problem at all as I could stop quicker than they could.

Kate, if I see a red light coming up, I don't fly up to it and do a stoppie at the last moment (ok, maybe I do that sometimes), but rather I just let the bike slow down with engine braking. If I am on a twisty country road I tend to roll-on and roll-off of the throttle to make good progress as it is smooth and fast. Why, what do you do?

Originally Posted by sdusk

Flamin_squirrel, do not read extra into what I have said. In the situations I have mentioned there was ample room *if* the brakes had worked correctly as they do on other bikes. Last night another R1 decided to stop for no good reason (what is it with these R1 riders ), and it posed no problem at all as I could stop quicker than they could.

Oh so it's the bikes fault you were riding beyond it limitations?

Originally Posted by sdusk

Why, what do you do?

Funnily enough I use the brakes, the official line is 70/30 front/back. I don't do stoppies but nor do I slow down unexpectidly far from the lights giving the car drivers behind a nasty surprise or irritating them.

Flamin_squirrel, but of course!