Brembo P4 calipers on a GSA

[Doodle]

A friend set me pics last week of a GSA in Japan sporting a set of Brembo P4's (as fitted to Ducati's, MV's et al) running on 320mm discs.

Now, I have access to a set of P4's. I've also tracked down the uk importers who confirm they have stock of the fitting kits.

As the weather has improved, I've also been thinking that perhaps the braking could be a bit better? Using 4 fingers I can pin the front down quite happily, it just seems to take a bit longer to scrub off the speed than I'd like.
Pads & discs are 3k old, fluid replaced at Xmas, so it's all working as it should...I'm just thinking more stopping would be nice.

Now, the question is, do I need sectioning?
Do I need stop riding like a hooligan?
Or do I go for it?

 

[Pukmeister]

I think you might be riding the wrong bike.

 

[ts2]

I think you might be riding the wrong bike.

+1. Buy a GSXR. They're a much quicker bike, stop far better, and are cheaper if you fall off.

Not as comfy over long distances though.

TobyS

 

[nedflanders]

Your riding a bus FFS, do you really think it's going to stop as quick as a sports bike , but if you do change your set up first dibs on your old pads

 

[ebbo]

Now, the question is, do I need sectioning?

Yes

 

[haga lout]

A friend set me pics last week of a GSA in Japan sporting a set of Brembo P4's (as fitted to Ducati's, MV's et al) running on 320mm discs.

Now, I have access to a set of P4's. I've also tracked down the uk importers who confirm they have stock of the fitting kits.

As the weather has improved, I've also been thinking that perhaps the braking could be a bit better? Using 4 fingers I can pin the front down quite happily, it just seems to take a bit longer to scrub off the speed than I'd like.
Pads & discs are 3k old, fluid replaced at Xmas, so it's all working as it should...I'm just thinking more stopping would be nice.

Now, the question is, do I need sectioning?
Do I need stop riding like a hooligan?
Or do I go for it?

whitch bike are p4 used on and how mutch is the fitting kits

 

[Doodle]

Wrong bike? Perhaps, but then I don't think the "perfect bike" exists for me, so I'll have to make do and modify.
I don't fit on a GSXR . Unfortunately I'm just too tall, too wide across the shoulder and too heavy of frame for that sort of bike. Plus I'm happy with the power, tank range, vision, comfort and general useability of the GSA - it all does exactly what I want it to.

Apart from the brakes. I'm not expecting it to stop as fast as a sportsbike, but I think it could be a lot better. The bike is 400kg+ with just me and basic kit on board, more if the panniers and topbox are on.

Oh, and thanks ebbo. I trust you have despatched the men in white coats for me?

Haga - the P4 calipers are fitted to most of the later Ducati's and MV's (look for 100mm radial mounting). They do a complete kit including calipers for about £850 - without calipers you can knock about £500 off that figure.

 

[Pukmeister]

They do a complete kit including calipers for about £850 - without calipers you can knock about £500 off that figure.

That is a lot of money. Are you sure it's worth spending it?

You'll also need to inform your insurers due to changing the bike from standard, which may attract an increased premium on your cover, the need to provide an engineers report etc.

 

[ts2]

Good answer!

Does your bike have the "dreaded" servo brakes? Mine does, and I find the brakes are far too sensitive (especially at low speeds). Perhaps you should try a servo GS to see what strong brakes feel like on the GS.

Saying that they don't seem to stop you all that quickly (especially if it thinks you're about to lock up), but they have a lot of initial bite.

Have you thought about how the suspension would cope with extra braking power? Your second post makes you sound less like you want to do stoppies, so I'm guessing you just want the extra power for emergencies/peace of mind?

Anyhow good luck with the conversion, you'll have to post the pic your friend sent.

Toby S

 

[Doodle]

Late 07 bike, so not the "dreaded brakes". Sensitivity and feel are fine, and I'm happy with the initial bite - it's just once they've bitten, there's less retardation than I'd like.

Suspension has had to be changed to Ohlins anyway, as the stock shocks weren't really up to the job. As you say, I'm not too worried about stoppies; part of the reason for the conversion is to get back to 2-finger braking - my left hand is pretty smashed up, and the right is suffering with CTS so I need all the grip I can get.

Adam - I agree, it is a fair wedge of cash. If I didn't already have a line on some P4's I would be having to think a lot harder about it. The kit does include a new pair of discs, lines, etc etc so doing this at disc replacement time would probably soften the blow also.
Insurance company have been fine with my previous mods (Ohlins, exhaust, etc etc), and I'm well used to the paperwork and red tape...the modification listing for my car covers a good couple of pages of A4.

 

[Doodle]

I cannot find my pics at the moment (at work), but I have found a couple on the web.

The kit is made by a Japanese company called Moto Corse, they do a lot of bits for Dukes and MV's, but also a few BMW bits.

 

[cookie]

doesn't mounting a radial caliper on a plate defeat the object somewhat?

 

[karlp]

doesn't mounting a radial caliper on a plate defeat the object somewhat?

But you are missing the point of all this - he can say down the pub that he has radial brakes.

 

[Doodle]

doesn't mounting a radial caliper on a plate defeat the object somewhat?

Indeed - the ultimate solution would be radial mount fork lowers, but that's REALLY expensive. However, from my POV, the radial mount is coincidental, I'm more looking at the increase in caliper and disc size. If there was a axial mounting kit that did the same job, that'd be fine by me.

But you are missing the point of all this - he can say down the pub that he has radial brakes.

So are you it seems. That's also a bit of a assumptive statement to make about a person you've never met.

 

[karlp]

........... part of the reason for the conversion is to get back to 2-finger braking - my left hand is pretty smashed up, and the right is suffering with CTS so I need all the grip I can get.

.

Did not read this bit so apologies for statement - I can see the point in your case.

karl

 

[Doodle]

Accepted - everyone makes mistakes sometimes

 

[Pukmeister]

I notice in the picture you show, the ABS sensor has been removed from the fork lower and there is no sign of the ABS sensing ring. I take it if your bike has ABS brakes you would need to lose this feature?

Removing the ABS from a CANBUS equipped bike might cost some money due to the removal of the ABS controller and the reprogramming of the central vehicle electronics and engine controller modules to run without it ?

Some people claim it is possible to remove the ABS from the 1200 models, but I've only ever seen it done on the older 1150 bikes with conventional wiring looms.

 

[Doodle]

I spotted that in the pics too, no ABS sensor. Never consciously looked at one in the flesh without ABS, I presume that casting would still be there?

The importers (and manufacturer) have assured me in writing that the ABS ring/sensor are retained without modification, and so the system is unaffected. If this hadn't been the case this thread would never have appeared; having to mess around/disable the ABS isn't on the agenda.

 

[Wapping]

You wanna stop?

One of these should do the trick:

 

[Coolcarbon]

Fit the 1150 Servo system...