Fair point re: cost, I wasn't expecting amazing performance on any aspect of the bike, but the XTRs brakes are really, really bad. I've have owned and ridden a fair few bikes over the years and the brakes on the XTR are the worse by a long way.

MCN's review of the XTR:

"...brakes are especially woeful and probably some of the least convincing fitted to a road motorcycle."

I see what you are saying about the master cylinder, I'm just not sure which route to go down, there doesn't seem to be a consensus!

I'll report back, whatever I choose!

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