Front brake discussion.

I

IDAHOSPUD

New member
Hoping to just discuss the relative aspects of the gasgas front brakes (or back). If you have an opinion chime in. My viewpoint is based on my 2009 ec300.

1. What do you think of the stock combination of components?

Overall, i think the stock components work well, i like the type of brake modulation the nissin calipers provide, not throw you over the bike powerful, but good, smooth, maybe less fatiguing on long rides. BTW i like the brembos also.

2. How do you think the stock brakes work?

Again, in comparison to KTM brakes they are less "powerful" feeling, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Smooth and progressive.

3. What, if any, are effective mods for the stock brakes?

No idea here other than maybe a wave style rotor.

4. Is a wave rotor a good upgrade?
 
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1) I like my OEM setup.
I have see a conversion with the OEM master cylinder with a Brembo front caliper.

2)Excellent.

3) I switched to the Kevlar pads-less "on-off" feel.

4) My bike came with the Galfer wave rotor-good stuff.
 
My 2010 also came with the Galfer wave rotors. Been more than impressed with them. Run sintered pads front and rear. Good stopping power. Mine are in need of some fresh fluids so a bit spongy currently but still pull up fine.

From others with stock front rotors they report day and night difference when going to a wave rotor.
 
1. What do you think of the stock combination of components?

They're fine on my '11 300. They don't have the initial bite of same era Brembos however eventually deliver it in a progressive manner.

2. How do you think the stock brakes work?

Again, in comparison to KTM brakes they are less "powerful" feeling, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Smooth and progressive.


I'd agree with that.

3. What, if any, are effective mods for the stock brakes?

My EC came with standard round discs. I wasn't overly impressed with their stopping power. Stoppies were near on impossible (I can't do them anyway). Bought a cheap wave style rotor and wow what a difference. Definitely night and day. Just as smooth and progressive as before but with triple the power. Easy 1 finger stoppies. Only downside (being picky) is they squeal now, ruins my gopro footage lol) I imagine a better brand 'Galfer' etc would be better again.

4. Is a wave rotor a good upgrade?

He'll yes.
 
I have issues with my front brakes, sometimes they seem to be spongy and then when I am using them a lot they tend to get hard and catch earlier on the lever.(reminds me of having to double pump the brakes on my s3 landrover) Have changed fluid with auto dot4 brake fluid but no noticeable diff

Any suggestions?
 
swazi_matt said:
I have issues with my front brakes, sometimes they seem to be spongy and then when I am using them a lot they tend to get hard and catch earlier on the lever.(reminds me of having to double pump the brakes on my s3 landrover) Have changed fluid with auto dot4 brake fluid but no noticeable diff

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Using the brake light switch banjo bolt?
 
I should have done mine today when I was bleeding the brakes. Doh. Got spare banjo bolts here and have the brake switch disconnected. Its a bit faulty. On wet rides it somehow manages to charge the handlebars up and every time you grab the clutch and brake at the same time it gives you an electric zap through the wet gloves. A lovely feeling as you're coming into a nice wet slimey corner a bit too hot and trying to get as much stopping power as possible without over doing it. Fun times.

Anyone else experienced this?
 
Jakobi said:
I should have done mine today when I was bleeding the brakes. Doh. Got spare banjo bolts here and have the brake switch disconnected. Its a bit faulty. On wet rides it somehow manages to charge the handlebars up and every time you grab the clutch and brake at the same time it gives you an electric zap through the wet gloves. A lovely feeling as you're coming into a nice wet slimey corner a bit too hot and trying to get as much stopping power as possible without over doing it. Fun times.

Anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

Haha no but I'd love to figure out how that works and then give my 'Mates' a ride lol.
 
Higher the revs the stronger the buzz :D

You can have the switch if you want. Hahah! I'm pretty sure more than one Yamaha has had this issue over the years.
 
swazi_matt said:
yes, why??
Click to expand...

n_green said:
Apparently they can make the brake feel 'mushy'. You can swap it for a traditional banjo bolt. I was almost going to do this but the wave disk fixed my issues.
Click to expand...

Like n said, they can contribute to the mushy feel.

I haven't looked at the switch part particularly closely, but I can one finger stoppie without too much drama with a proper banjo bolt.
I haven't tried a wave disc though.
 
Jakobi said:
I should have done mine today when I was bleeding the brakes. Doh. Got spare banjo bolts here and have the brake switch disconnected. Its a bit faulty. On wet rides it somehow manages to charge the handlebars up and every time you grab the clutch and brake at the same time it gives you an electric zap through the wet gloves. A lovely feeling as you're coming into a nice wet slimey corner a bit too hot and trying to get as much stopping power as possible without over doing it. Fun times.

Anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

My old KLX300 used to do this. It was quite alarming the first time, then I just got used to it. It would definatley wake me up when I got lazy.
 
desertgasser300 said:
My old KLX300 used to do this. It was quite alarming the first time, then I just got used to it. It would definatley wake me up when I got lazy.
Click to expand...

:) Did you ever isolate what it was? I haven't tried a new switch, but I have confirmed that if I unplug the switch at the harness no more zaps. No wires are exposed or rubbed through anywhere (went through the whole harness recently).
 
Jakobi said:
:) Did you ever isolate what it was? I haven't tried a new switch, but I have confirmed that if I unplug the switch at the harness no more zaps. No wires are exposed or rubbed through anywhere (went through the whole harness recently).
Click to expand...

Sounds like a bad ground in the brake light circuit. When you pull the lever the circuit is closed turning on the light. Typically, the switch opens and closes the "hot" side of the brake light, so if the switch grounds itself out when powered, you would be the lucky recipient of the excess voltage, thus completing a circuit through the levers. Possibly.
 
n_green said:
Haha no but I'd love to figure out how that works and then give my 'Mates' a ride lol.
Click to expand...
Had this happen on my 2001 XC 250, And I let anyone who would get on it, have a go:D The downside...One buddy got a zap, and he let go, altogether, and paraded my bike out through the bushes. I felt bad, but none of us, could stop laughing. Neither rider, or my bike were injured. After that, I unplugged the light(the source of electricity). A faulty earth connection was the issue.
 
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