How can I get more power in my DL650 brakes?

[loblo]

A short while back, the rear brake line on my 650 sprung a leak, and I took the opportunity to have steel lines installed (rear only). In the meantime, I had been riding my ST1300, which has pretty powerful brakes, so switching back to the wee feels like rubbing two blocks of wood together, relatively speaking. Is there any way I can improve the power/ response of my brakes?

loblo

[Tollster]

It going to be hard to compare any upgrade to your ST, simply because of the shear size of the ST, which really needs more of a performance braking system.
However, I replaced my stock front lines with Galfers, replaced the fluid on a regular basis, and installed EBC cintered pads.
I now have better feedback and modulation, along with what seems to be a shorter braking distance, granted the pads seem to work better when their hot. So at first the pads feel kind of like the stock ones, then they seem to really bite, where you need to modulate the brake to prevent a front end lock under extreme braking.
It defenately got rid of the cardbourd feel of the stockers.

[MightyShep]

One of the things I noticed, by accident, was that any change in the lever position from the adjustment, makes a big difference in how the brakes feel. I had been messing around with my controls and changes the lever settings, later I was wondering if I had air in the lines because the brakes seemed soft, setting the lever back to "1" got things back on track. I think that this may be why some people feel like the brakes are soft.

Another thing I noticed was that when I went from the stock pads to some EBC HH type pads there was a lot more grip. Hope this helps.

[rcacs]

I just went to the EBC organic pad. They wont last nearly as long, but sure provide excellant braking and feedback.

I also have them on the front.

Cheers!

[rcacs]

I just went to the EBC organic pad. They wont last nearly as long, but sure provide excellant braking and feedback.

I also have them on the front.

Cheers!

EBC Organic pads are made with Aramid fibres such as Dupont® Kevlar® or Twaron® and deliver impressive stopping power and the "Feel" so often desired by bike riders allowing them to "Feather" the brake as they decelerate. Public opinion is that organic pads don't last long but the myth was broken when seven years ago EBC launched its current DMX formulation street organic pad of which over 13 million sets have been sold with a zero failure rate in the market. This is a truly impressive pad with low rotor abrasion, good life and deep progressive braking power.

[MZBuckeye]

Link to buy these organic pads please?

[roadrash]

Since I'm still on the stock pads....I know it all comes down to personal preference, but are they THAT bad that swapping them out before they've been spent is the way to go? I have no other point of reference, so I have no clue how bad I've got it right now or how good it could be.

[rcacs]

Link to buy these organic pads please?

Just swing on by ur favourite bike shop and order some. Very popular brand of brakes.

Cheers!

[rcacs]

Since I'm still on the stock pads....I know it all comes down to personal preference, but are they THAT bad that swapping them out before they've been spent is the way to go? I have no other point of reference, so I have no clue how bad I've got it right now or how good it could be.

I changed my front and rear long before the stockers wore out, they had become glazed and very "wooden" feeling.

Very easy to replace. Make sure you clean your discs with a degreaser.

Cheers!

[Jimding]

Take your bike out on a clean, dry, deserted road. Get up to about 30 MPH or so, and see how close you can come to locking your front wheel. I'm guessing you can probably lock it with your current pads. If you can lock the wheel, you don't need (and can't use) more braking power. Other pads will give more initial bite, may require less pressure to lock the wheel, show less fade, etc., but they won't stop the bike any quicker (assuming you know how to use the brakes). Of course, everyone gets to make their own choices. But in emergency stopping situations, sometimes it's a good thing that the wheels are a little harder to lock up. You grab a handful of brake, lock the wheel, the bike goes down, you will slide right into whatever you were trying to avoid. Plastic and metal have a far lower coefficient of friction than rubber.

[bill l]

I have the same feeling going from my FZ1 to the Strom. The brakes just aren't there. New pads help but IMO the Galfer lines were a much bigger step in the right direction. The stock lines have no feel at all under hard braking - like stretching a cable.

[rjsurfer]

Sort of agree Jimding, as long as the brakes lock why bother?

The stock brakes are very repeatable, always the same amount of lever pressure vs stopping power even when hot.

Although, less lever pressure would be easier on these old forearms and wrists.

Ron W.

[GrayStrom]

I also agree. Better brakes can give a better feel, but the stopping power on this bike is limited by the skinny front tire.

[fastwally]

I can't get my wheels to lock, maybe I need new pads! :mrgreen:

[Kawidad]

I agree the stock brakes are questionable COMPARED to higher end street bikes, but more than adequate for most. I switched to the ss brake lines and did notice a small difference, but not enough to justify the cost. New pads and a good bleed are the best way to improve performance.