Brake upgrade

[Richie B]

Hi all, I have recently joined the ranks, and am riding a 09 gs . the only thing about the bike that I would like to change is the brakes, hence this post.
Is there such a thing as a brake upgrade and if so where can I get it.

 

[forest biker]

Can i ask why you want to upgrade them ? i find mine stops me more than quick enough no matter how hard im riding it on or off road

 

[Wapping]

Let's start with the simple things, first:

When were the 09 bike's brakes last serviced?

Front brakes? Back brake? Both?

What aspect of the bike's brakes' performance would you like to change / improve?

 

[Richie B]

Can i ask why you want to upgrade them ? i find mine stops me more than quick enough no matter how hard im riding it on or off road

Yeah sure, My previous bike was a ZZR1400 with awesome stopping power and while I know there will be a difference , I didnt expect it to be such extremes

 

[Richie B]

Let's start with the simple things, first:

When were the 09 bike's brakes last serviced?

Front brakes? Back brake? Both?

What aspect of the bike's brakes' performance would you like to change / improve?

bought it last Nov, I would hope that the brakes would have been serviced then, both could do with being a bit sharper .

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Take the pads out pnd give the calipers a good clean up. This simple jobe sometimes helps

I have a 56 plate ADV with no servo or ABS and have to say, they are amongst the best brakes on any bike I've ever had. 2 fingers is all I need

 

[forest biker]

I found a similar thing when i came from sports bikes , so i took the pads out gave everything a good clean up , changed the brake fluid and they soon stopped me then

 

[Wapping]

bought it last Nov, I would hope that the brakes would have been serviced then, both could do with being a bit sharper .

Ah, hope.

I hoped to win the lottery on Saturday. That I had not bought a ticket did not diminish my hope one jot.

I suggest you get someone to fully service the brakes (or do them yourself) - which will at least remove the 'hope' element - and then see if they are any better. If not, report back.

 

[Richie B]

Thanks for advice, I will endevour to service brakes, cant be that differcult.

 

[forest biker]

Thanks for advice, I will endevour to service brakes, cant be that differcult.

As myself and some of the other guys said its worth having a look at them , theres loads of info on here how to do them if you need a helping hand with them anyway

 

[Wapping]

Excellent.

If we don't hear any more, you will have saved money...... or you've put them back together wrong

 

[forest biker]

Excellent.

If we don't hear any more, you will have saved money...... or you've put them back together wrong

and if you put them together wrong they definitely wont stop you

 

[Demongroover]

Thanks for advice, I will endevour to service brakes, cant be that differcult.

Read up on brake fluid change if yours is an abs model as the bleeding is fairly involved, not hard but involved. There are write ups on this site.

 

[mr badger]

If they're well maintained, the GS brakes seem pretty good to me. We have ours serviced every 2k, especially in the winter. A well spent £35 at our local independent specialist.

On a course last year I managed repeated stoppies in 2" of water in the pouring rain. Mind you, the RAF runway we were using was pretty grippy.

 

[littleredrooster]

'Bike' magazine (IIRC) did a braking test. The only bike to stop harder than a GS was a GSXR thou. The GS was on semi-knobblies (Tourances, again IIRC) or it would have wiped the floor with every other production bike.

My experience is certainly that I have never, ever had such astonishing stoppers on a bike.

If you are looking for a brake upgrade, I suspect there must be something seriously wrong with yours.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Thanks for advice, I will endevour to service brakes, cant be that differcult.

It's really simple.....down to Halfrauds for a can of brake cleaner and an old toothbrush. If you have ridden through the shite of winter, they will need cleaning.

Remove the calipers, knock the pin holding the pads in, take pads out, liberaly spray brake cleaner, scrub the whole damned thing with toothbrush then put it all back together. You can use copperslip behind the pads to stop them rattling but that's not essential. That's a quick method without stripping the whole caliper down and this should make a difference.

If you need new pads, order a set from Steptoe before you do the job as they are excellent quality and well worth doing for the price.

In fact, it's reminded me to do mine at the weekend

 

[swissrob]

i changed the full set of original pads to ferodo platinums... a masive improvement!

get them from steptoe.

 

[Tuono1961]

I'm another one that isn't over impressed with the GS brakes. Just don't seem to have the bite that I would expect from a bike that is renowned for great brakes.

Really not convinced its a service issue. As far as I'm concerned it's one of three things.

1. They're not very good. And those that think they are haven't spent much time on a modern sports bike.
2. The GS is heavy.
3. Most likely this one.... because of the lack of dive under braking you don't get the same sensation that you do with a normal bike so maybe they are good but you just don't feel it.

After 10k miles I still can't make my mind up which one it is

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Are you sure the brakes arent stopping you? Could you just be feeling the effect of the telelever? remember these bikes dont dive like conventional bikes with forks do and lots of people think they arent stopping when in reality they are. Do a brake/distance test against a mate with a sports bike and you will soon see just how quickly you really are stopping.

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

I'm another one that isn't over impressed with the GS brakes. Just don't seem to have the bite...

Really not convinced its a service issue. As far as I'm concerned it's one of three things.

1. They're not very good. And those that think they are haven't spent much time on a modern sports bike.
2. The GS is heavy.
3. Most likely this one.... because of the lack of dive under braking you don't get the same sensation that you do with a normal bike so maybe they are good but you just don't feel it.

Please excuse me for interrupting your 1200's discussion but I can't help myself from making a point or two here:

Point One: I have an 04 1150 GSA that has the same brake calipers as the first Aprilia RSV; the funky red painted Brembos. I know this because I have a pair that where kindly given to me when I needed to replace a caliper on my version two RSV. Those calipers have come from a fairly modern sports bike and were just as good as the one's on my last Factory.

Point Two: I believe that the GS range of motorcycles are quite heavy and a fully fuelled, and loaded, 1150 or 1200 needs riding with a bit more forethought because this bike is not going to stop on a sixpence and be thrown on the edge of its tyres with power slide's around your favourite local corner without test ones nerve.

Give 'em a clean, service and new fluid and plan in advance when you need to stop because that's what I need to with my massive lump.