Brakes

**Evanphoto** · #1 15 May 2004

My front brakes suck. I have bleed the brake lines and they still are horrible. Any suggestions on good pads? I do 80 percent street and 20 dirt.
Thanks.

**Timo** · #2 15 May 2004

What bike are you riding? Some combinations work better then others, not all pads are availible for all bikes.

**Evanphoto** · #3 15 May 2004

I am riding an '02 1150gs.

**Grant Johnson** · #4 15 May 2004

Horrible as in it just doesn't stop, or is the lever coming in to the bar?

Waht has changed from when it was good - and it WAS very good - to current "horrible"?

How many miles? How much pad is left? Are the disks badly scored?

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Evanphoto** · #5 15 May 2004

The brake lever is firm and gives me pressure to pull, but it feels like my old klr650 as far as stopping power.

I have 12k miles on it and I do need new pads. Your asked if the disks badly scored. I do not kno w what that means. Could you please explain. Do I ask BMW to replace the front pads or do I ask for a specific brand?
Thanks for your help, appreciate it.

**Grant Johnson** · #6 16 May 2004

I suggest you talk to your dealer. The scoring, (grooving caused by wear and stones) if any, needs to be looked at by an expert.

The brake manufacturer matches pads to the intended use of the bike - if they could put on a "better" pad they would. Aftermarket pads are sometimes better, sometimes not. Without a lot of experimenting, it's hard to be sure. Anecdotal evidence from other riders is rarely consistent. A "better" pad for one rider might be worse for you! It depends on differences in riding styles, useage and expectations.

You could possibly get better than stock braking by playing around with pads, but the stock setup is very good, and generally kind to the pads, so I would recommend stock.

From what you've said, the brakes are NOW poor, and (I assume) WERE very good when new. If so, then you merely want to get back to "new" condition, so a visit to the dealer is the place to start.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**ekaphoto** · #7 16 May 2004

If new pads don't do it, try replacing your brake line with a braided brake line. I don't know about that specific bike, but braided brake lines are supposed to help. Also On my bike (a suzuki) it is recommended to replace brake lines every two years. One of those little maint things that often get overlooked, but can be important.

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John