Brakes Brakes Brakes!

[the_Journeyman]

Ok, so I went out yesterday and rode my '99 M750 and my '00 900SS.  The M750's brakes are WAY better than the SS's brakes.  The M750 also has a single front disc rather than the twin the 900SS has.

Neither has stainless lines up front, so the comparison should be straight up.  The M750 has a stainless line rear.  Pads in good shape from casual inspection ~

Why?  What should I do (besides replace & bleed fluid)?  Are the brakes that good on my 750 or that bad on the 900?

JM

[ducpainter]

Ok, so I went out yesterday and rode my '99 M750 and my '00 900SS.  The M750's brakes are WAY better than the SS's brakes.  The M750 also has a single front disc rather than the twin the 900SS has.

Neither has stainless lines up front, so the comparison should be straight up.  The M750 has a stainless line rear.  Pads in good shape from casual inspection ~

Why?  What should I do (besides replace & bleed fluid)?  Are the brakes that good on my 750 or that bad on the 900?

JM

Replace the pads on the 900, bed them in properly, and be happy.

The stock pads leave much to be desired.

[the_Journeyman]

The stock pads leave much to be desired.

This could be it.

It just turned over 12,000 miles.  I'll bet it's still got stock pads.  The M750 I know does not have stock pads.  Thanks for the input!

JM

[ducpainter]

This could be it.

It just turned over 12,000 miles.  I'll bet it's still got stock pads.  The M750 I know does not have stock pads.  Thanks for the input!

JM

...and I'll bet the stock pads were never properly bedded in either.

You could try that, but I don't think the brakes will never match the 750 with better pads.

[the_Journeyman]

Pads aren't expensive, so I'll pick up some and tinker this weekend.  The more I ride the SS the more I think the PO was a moron.

JM

[Smokescreen]

when you replace the pads, you'd be well served to replace the fluid with well...  better fluid?  i forget what I use, motul DOT5.1 maybe?  If you have a MityVac, this is a fairly simple procedure wherein you nearly empty the coffin (but don't let it run dry!) and refill with new fluid via MityVac at one of the calipers.  When the caliper runs clean, pump the other till it runs clean. 

THEN...  with the coffin about half full, back the pistons out on one caliper, replace the pads, and bolt the caliper on, pump the brakes till the pads are seated, the remove the second caliper and repeat.... 

You will be amazed (after proper bedding) how much better the brakes perform.  And with the right pads, you 900SS with it's dual disks and oldschool goldline calipers should offer you pretty frightening one finger stoppies!!!