I've read that the OEM brakes on my (new to me) Suzi V Strom 650 are no comparison to those I'm used to on my ST, in fact more than a few guys on the stromtrooper website have said they are downright marginal. I've not finished working on my bike, and have nothing more than one test ride on it (should be finished this weekend) so I cannot verify this. However, I've been investigating upgrades and thinking about bike brakes in general.
Brake Pads: One poster said EBC HH pads are a quick, easy, and cheap way to upgrade these brakes. (I assume we are talking mostly about the front since improving the rear will only allow me to lock that wheel up*.) I found a website that lists the coefficient of friction for various brake pads by part number. Since this website sells primarily auto parts, I doubt the Suzi compatible pads are listed. Does anyone know where to go to get this info? I'm just curious about the pads' relative co of friction. Obviously a more aggressive pad will wear the disk more quickly. Is this really an issue?
Has anyone seen a ranking of the aggressiveness of brake pad compounds by standard nomenclature? What I mean is, how does a HH pad compare with any other pad and what other pad designations are available?
Master Cylinder: Another poster suggested swapping the 650 MC for a used one from a VS1000; the latter has a larger piston and pumps more fluid. I have to assume the pressure remains the same. Will this increase braking power?
Front Calipers: The best way to go is to swap out the front calipers for those from a CBR600 from 2004 (4 piston calipers) by using a bracket from SV Racing. One owner said this vastly improved his braking. I'm not worried about overpowering the bike since this has been done before and and the bike does have ABS. Are there any downsides to doing this?
Brake lines: The caliper swapper also suggested changing the brake lines to braided stainless lines. I would assume this gives an incremental (not a dramatic) increase in brake feel. True or false? Since I am considering handlebar risers, longer brake lines (and thus SS lines) might be mandatory.
As I said above, this project to be is only research for now, but the information will help me make a decision for next winter's work.
*I am not interested in ground loops, so we are talking mostly about the front brakes.
Brake Pads: One poster said EBC HH pads are a quick, easy, and cheap way to upgrade these brakes. (I assume we are talking mostly about the front since improving the rear will only allow me to lock that wheel up*.) I found a website that lists the coefficient of friction for various brake pads by part number. Since this website sells primarily auto parts, I doubt the Suzi compatible pads are listed. Does anyone know where to go to get this info? I'm just curious about the pads' relative co of friction. Obviously a more aggressive pad will wear the disk more quickly. Is this really an issue?
Has anyone seen a ranking of the aggressiveness of brake pad compounds by standard nomenclature? What I mean is, how does a HH pad compare with any other pad and what other pad designations are available?
Master Cylinder: Another poster suggested swapping the 650 MC for a used one from a VS1000; the latter has a larger piston and pumps more fluid. I have to assume the pressure remains the same. Will this increase braking power?
Front Calipers: The best way to go is to swap out the front calipers for those from a CBR600 from 2004 (4 piston calipers) by using a bracket from SV Racing. One owner said this vastly improved his braking. I'm not worried about overpowering the bike since this has been done before and and the bike does have ABS. Are there any downsides to doing this?
Brake lines: The caliper swapper also suggested changing the brake lines to braided stainless lines. I would assume this gives an incremental (not a dramatic) increase in brake feel. True or false? Since I am considering handlebar risers, longer brake lines (and thus SS lines) might be mandatory.
As I said above, this project to be is only research for now, but the information will help me make a decision for next winter's work.
*I am not interested in ground loops, so we are talking mostly about the front brakes.