m796 brake feel is lacking....options for upgrades? (new ABS question added)

[gitter]

Compared to non ABS bikes with Stainless lines, the brake feel and "bite" on my 796 is lacking. Any options other than HH pads that will improve this?

And follow up question. Is it just me needing to adapt to having ABS? (i.e. is less brake feel required when braking with abs)?

Thanks
Gitter

**update**
Swapped in some HH pads, the feel and stopping power seems as though it has improved a bit.

My follow up abs question, the first pull of the lever there is alot more travel than subsequent pulls, almost like it feels like with each pull, pressure is being built up. Is this normal or should i bleed the system? (its done it since it was new, but i was curious if anyone else had experienced this)

[stopintime]

I was surprised by the same thing when I tested a friends 1100 Evo - just couldn't brake as hard as I was used to. It's avery good ABS, but a little to cautious for me. Then and there I decided to delete ABS on a future bike.

[Curmudgeon]

Haven't noticed this myself and have only ever engaged the ABS in the rear, so not sure what you're after unless you want the brake to feel more "wooden".  Switch it off maybe and see if it feels any different. Unlike a lot of ABS systems, this one holds very little fluid.

[danaid]

 Factory pads are definitely lacking, having the lack of bite you report. I performed the first brake job on my monster installing carbone Lorraine xbk5 pads and  the feel and bite are very strong and do not fade easy like the stock brakes.

[jerryz]

You probably wont have any option to delete ABS from new bikes after 2016 ad they will become mandatory in EU and many other countries ,,,USA likely to follow suit .

[gitter]

update added to first post along with question regarding ABS and lever pull

[Curmudgeon]

My follow up abs question, the first pull of the lever there is alot more travel than subsequent pulls, almost like it feels like with each pull, pressure is being built up. Is this normal or should i bleed the system? (its done it since it was new, but i was curious if anyone else had experienced this)

Something not right there probably. Anyway, ABS should not feel much different than non-ABS in normal use. Before you bleed, why not tie the lever back overnight and see whether that cures it. Otherwise, bleed and look for anything abnormal and not necessarily ABS-specific.

[Howie]

Bleed the brakes!  There is air in the lines.

[gitter]

anything special with bleeding a system with abs? or is it just like normal?

[gitter]

Bled brakes. got a moderately sized bubble out of the right (brake lever side) caliper / line. Brakes feel better as far as initial pull, although i didnt get to test ride it, just squeezed the brakes and went back and fourth in the garage a bit.