Hi all,

I'm hoping to do something to upgrade the braking performance on my R. I've had a few close calls that shouldn't have been close calls thanks to the lack of stopping power!

So far I've tried the following:

• Braided hoses (a little less spongy)
• HH Pads (slightly better but not 'Night and Day' difference)
• Shorty Lever (not going upgrade performance, but I like the feel)

The next option on my list seems to be swapping out the disc for something bigger, has anyone had any experience with the following? It seems like a lot of money for something that might not make much difference.

http://www.off-the-road.de/en/XT-660...it-XT660R.html

Any tips or suggestions warmly received. The XT's place in my garage is starting to look a bit uncertain unless I can improve this!

Thanks

Alec

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I've put other posts up about such but had a Photobucket clear out so had to find some others.







Although I changed the original disc for an EBC and put Carbon Lorrain pads in it wasn't until I altered the adjustment(ratio) on the radial front brake that I got the feel,could probably have got the same with stock disc and pads but I doubt if the disc would have lasted very long.

So yea its a radial front brake that you need.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm pretty clueless when it comes to non OEM parts..

By radial do you mean both calliper and lever, or just a radial front master cylinder?

If it requires a new calliper, would I need to replace the entire front end of the bike to achieve this?

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It's the lever,blimey the caliper would be a major hassle plus of course with you having R your not going to able to lean on that 19" front wheel like I do on my X.

It could/can be a bottomless pit because Brembo make that many options when it comes to ratios on both callipers and levers so it's a guessing game.

Incase you can't make the name out its Accosatto but to be honest anything you put on be it this one or Brembo will be better.

Thanks for the reply, yeah, I did think caliper swap might be a bit tricky!

What size did you go for on your setup? I know the X has a different size front disc, but I assume the R will have similar requirements?

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorc...aster-cylinder

The above site suggest the "16mm Diam Bore with 18 Ratio Lever".

The radial master cylinder looks like it'll be a similar cost to the larger front disc, I wonder which would give me more power?

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The real answer to you question is a don't know,but what I can tell you the bigger the disc the harder it will be to turn the wheel while braking.

also realised the photos were old ones,here a leter one with a smaller res as I didn't buy mine as a kit.

Thanks for the tips - I'll see if anyone has any experience of the disc upgrade and make a choice after that.

I wish Yamaha had just sent out of the factory with a decent brake!

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What your not taking into account while the XT may be at the end of some folks budgets the reality is its a budget bike and made to a price,Yamaha no doubt have the ability to build a bike on par with KTM's 690 and would come at the same price and doubt as much hassle but that's not their market.

It's why I've spent my efforts in getting the motor as sweet as possible but leaving it stock and getting some weight off and with a few extra bells and whistles making the bike work just that touch better but the reality is it costs!!!!.

You can put as big a front disc on as you like but untill you put a quality front master cylinder on how do you intend putting pressure on the brake pads to stop it going round!!!

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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