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How bad is the stock front brake?

9.1K views 65 replies 33 participants last post by  Jan Zoellner  
#1 ·
I used to think the stock suspension was the weakest link of the SV but recently I realized weak front brake is just as bad when trying to go fast. Some back to back riding between the SV and the DRZsm highlighted the stark contrast in front brake effectiveness. When I tried to slow down quickly from 30+ mph to 10-15 mph for hairpin turns, with 2 fingers braking it felt like the SV didn't even want to slow down. I had to clamp down hard with 4 fingers on the front brake to get effective braking, but using that much effort tenses up my arm to the point of making throttling and turning difficult. In contrast, on the DRZsm 1 finger braking slows down the bike quickly and effortlessly, and that allows me to be totally loose and transition into turns beautifully.

At this point I'm wondering if my SV's front brake is even "normal", or if the brake pads are glazed somehow, or if there's air in the brake line, because it feels so bad. Having never ridden another SV I just don't know what to expect from a "normal" SV. I'm thinking about SS brake line and new brake pads, and maybe going with 4-piston GSXR calipers if that's what it takes to improve front braking power.
 
#3 ·
If you have bone stock front brakes , then yes.they are crap.
All you need to do is get some EBC pads & steel lines.
I run sprited blue group trackdays @ Louden frequently w/ just this setup ,& yea it's not Brembo quality stopping, but it DEF. gets the job done.
 
#7 ·
Hows the front tire on the bike?

The DRZ may possibly have better brakes as its a lighter bike and could have better components stock.

I've only replaced the front lines with Spiegler ones (but do have stiffer springs and emul.) and can lift the rear end under hard braking. That being said, yes, the front brakes are not as responsive as other bikes I've ridden.
 
#8 ·
You can imagine my frustration when, after a couple yrs of riding the SV, improving my ability, and thinking the brakes where worn, I had the pads and fluid changed at 16K miles, and there was no change in braking. Obviously, it was my mistake not to upgrade the brake components at that time. I too could get the back to lift, especially after diving into a turn lane, and braking hard for the turn. But overall, I never could get the bite that I grew to want with my improved riding. Yes, the brakes are totally adequate for street riding, but anything beyond that an improvement is needed. I recently upgraded to a GSXR front end and brakes and now, I'm finally happy.
 
#14 ·
i added stainless lines to an old CBR600 and it made a big difference. I will get around to it on the SV one day.
 
#15 ·
245 pound rider here (+ gear).....

I changed the pads out to EBC after I found the OEM pads to be a bit anemic. On my first several in-town outings, I thought it may have been money wasted. But when I took my naked '03 out for a spirited romp through the local twisties.... the pads warmed up after a couple aggressive front-end dives. When I needed to slow the bike down for the next knee dragger, my EBC's were easily up to the task..... no braided brake lines, just a fork brace and Gold Valves.
 
#17 ·
The fluid was changed nearly a year and 3,500 miles ago. Still on original pads.

The question is not how strong the stock front brake is, but how much force you need to apply on the front lever to stop hard. On "stock" front brake set up, how many fingers do you use to brake? How much lever force do you have to exert? Obviously, some people have much stronger grip than others, so how does the SV braking effort compare to a good sportbike that requires fairly light 1 or 2 finger pressure?
 
#18 ·
The question is not how strong the stock front brake is, but how much force you need to apply on the front lever to stop hard. On "stock" front brake set up, how many fingers do you use to brake? How much lever force do you have to exert? Obviously, some people have much stronger grip than others, so how does the SV braking effort compare to a good sportbike that requires fairly light 1 or 2 finger pressure?

Go practice and find out.
 
#19 ·
A good sportbike comes equipped with a much stronger braking system from the factory. Dual 4 piston calipers as opposed to the SV's dual 2 pistons and a different master cylinder are going to have different brakng characteristics.

Also, the front suspension, including the front tire, will also play a HUGE role in braking, especially since all the weight transfers there.

I will agree though, the SV's brakes aren't the best. But stiffening the front end for your weight and some minor changes are more than adequate.
 
#37 ·
Yes, you can use the same ss lines with the upgraded 4pot calipers. At least my Galfer SS lines fit fine with the caliper swap. I found that CL brake pads improved the feel of the brakes with the stock calipers. I think the biggest improvement with the stock SV system would be changing out the MC, but as most have said, the stockers with SS lines, quality pads and fresh fluid work fine for the SV. I did tend to help the front out with the rear more on the SV than other bikes that I have owned.
 
#21 ·
I'm running stock pads and SS brake lines. My biggest reason for changing them out wasn't initial braking, but repeated braking. Once you warm up that fluid it warms up those shitty rubber brake lines and the braking fades like crazy. So even if you decide to upgrade just the pads, you're still in trouble once you warm up the lines.

My $0.02
 
#30 ·
How old is your brake fluid? When was the last time you bled your system? What brake pads are you using and when were they last changed?

IMO, lack of fresh brake fluid and/or air in the line is the #1 reason people complain about the SV's brakes. They are not bad. Not supersport great, but they do the job. Add EBC or Vesrah HH pads, and stainless steel lines, and you can approach ss performance. Add a better master cylinder, and you can duplicate ss performance.
 
#31 ·
My biggest concern about the front brakes were the spongy feel. Last year I upgraded to SS lines and bled the brakes from the caliper up. Night and day difference in initial bite. All this time I thought it was the SS lines that gave that feel, but it was the fluid. Even a gixxer with SS lines you can get that spongy feel. New properly bled fluid can make a big difference.
 
#33 · (Edited)
As mentioned earlier, after 16K miles, and my ability improving, I felt the braking should be better, so had the brake fluid changed and new pads installed by my shop. I'm sure they put in the same type of pads as came with the bike, which is my fault for not researching the braking options at that time. But, there was no change in braking after the change in fluid and pads.

Stock SV brakes are not bad, I just wanted more.