Brake upgrade S2R 800 - done - WOW

[stopintime]

I've been researching, reading, calling people, posted here and at last pulled the trigger.

Used, low mileage 320mm rotors off of a S2R 1000. $150 (Chris at Desmotion/MotoredSports)
Used, low mileage, Goldline Brembo 4 piston 2 pads calipers $100 (Chris  --------   )

New lines, hardware and Brembo coffin 16mm master cylinder. $230. Fred at YoYoDyneti.

Including overseas shipping, my local 25% VAT, custom clearance fees and $250 dealer labor - total cost ~$930
...........................

The questions I had about the scratched rotor and rusty pads - no problem
One finger stoppies (but I'm probably going to be using two)
Steady and controllable high speed braking.
Perfect lever travel, IMO
Great feel and power

I was initially disappointed, couldn't really feel a substantial difference. Pre install I sanded down my pads and alcohol/soap-scuffed the rotors. Dealer jr tech told me not to bother embedding the brakes, but I remembered the advice I got here - did 10 x 60-05mph panic stops, stopped to smell the heat (yummie), drove around to cool them off, did another 10 panic stops. Damned, how well that turned out! Transformed bike! Still some distance up to 1098/StreetFighter brakes, but I think I covered well over half the gap from stock S2R 800 brakes.

I'm falling in love with my bike all over again.....

Thanks for all the advice given here, it really means a lot

[hypurone]

Normally, you should NOT go until you smell them. But since they were pre-used pads, no biggie. i would NOT do it to new pads. It will "cook" them and make them prone future glazing, noises, hard spots and fading. I do 3-4 30-5mph stops, cool down for a couple of mins, then 3-4 50-5mph stops, cool down, then the high speed stops, making sure not to heat them to the point of getting any smell. I have never had any issuees with any brand of pad doing it this way.

Oh and congrats on the new-found braking love!! 

[stopintime]

Thanks!

So, if I did it too hard/long after all, I might experience fading, maybe vibration from hard spots and over all reduced performance? If I do - scuff, clean, sand and do it over again, but softer? Maybe even new pads? (Just looking for an excuse to try out Ferrodo Platinums)

[corey]

congrats man! s2r800 is such a perfect bike, it's a shame the brakes and forks got pulled from the parts bin :/

[stopintime]

congrats man! s2r800 is such a perfect bike, it's a shame the brakes and forks got pulled from the parts bin :/

It really is a nice bike I think it has been fun discovering the facts about the poor brakes and suspension by myself, doing the upgrades and enjoying the results. In my country with the stupid tax levels the S2R 1000 would have cost almost $6,000 more, so I'm still ahead, but I kind of think that the extra power and dry clutch would have been nice. Well, I didn't know then what I know now, so it's too late to reverse the deal - besides modding has gone to far with the bike now, so I'll just enjoy it and use it for what it's worth. At the end of the day, I'm smiling and loving my bike regardless

[hypurone]

Thanks!

So, if I did it too hard/long after all, I might experience fading, maybe vibration from hard spots and over all reduced performance? If I do - scuff, clean, sand and do it over again, but softer? Maybe even new pads? (Just looking for an excuse to try out Ferrodo Platinums)

If you get any weirdness, I would start over with new pads for sure.  There! You officially have your excuse to go and buy new pads. Just don't give the wife my name, k? 

[stopintime]

No wife.... No problem 








Bank account on the other hand.... 

[pauls]

I'm just about to do the same brake upgrade on my 620 so it's great to hear that you found the upgrade to be worthwhile.  I've got the black brembo 4 spots off a multistrada, low mile 320mm rotors off a mts, lines off an 04 620 which had the 4 spots, about to order Ferodo Platinums as many people seem to recommend them, and I'm just trying to decide if I try the new brakes with my current 15mm master or go to the more 'correct' 16mm master...can't wait to get the new setup on the bike now that I have decent front suspension on there (adjustable S4R showas).

[madalf71]

Hi Stopintime.

Can you clarify something for me.
Master cylinder diameter, are they different from S2R800 2 piston to S2R1000 4 piston?
Or can someone confirm part numbers?

Cherrio
Madalf.

[pauls]

2 piston = 15mm
4 piston = 16mm

not sure about the part numbers though...although the size is stamped on the bttom side of the master

[madalf71]

Thanks Pauls.

[madalf71]

 Another question.
Did you drill the axle for the adjusters, or get a proper S2R1000 axle.
Cherrio.
Madalf

[weemonster]

congrats man! s2r800 is such a perfect bike, it's a shame the brakes and forks got pulled from the parts bin :/

That is such an inapropriate comment since the monster is a parts bin special 90% of the bike is from the parts bin.
you said "parts bin" like it was a bad thing.

[stopintime]

I'm just about to do the same brake upgrade on my 620 so it's great to hear that you found the upgrade to be worthwhile.  I've got the black brembo 4 spots off a multistrada, low mile 320mm rotors off a mts, lines off an 04 620 which had the 4 spots, about to order Ferodo Platinums as many people seem to recommend them, and I'm just trying to decide if I try the new brakes with my current 15mm master or go to the more 'correct' 16mm master...can't wait to get the new setup on the bike now that I have decent front suspension on there (adjustable S4R showas).

The difference from 15mm to 16mm is noticeable, but for me, I think it would have been enough with my stock 15mm. Just a tiny bit more travel at the lever - certainly not too much. I'd say from very short action to short action. YMMV. My 16mm is now brand new and it cost $105 from YoYoDyneti, so I'm happy.

Another question.
Did you drill the axle for the adjusters, or get a proper S2R1000 axle.
Cherrio.
Madalf

I went from S2R800 rotors to S2R100 rotors without problems or any mods. Adjusters? Same axles AFAIK.

[madalf71]

Re-axles
Correct me if I'm wrong here guys but....
The adjustable showas have a compression adjuster on the bottom of the forkleg, accessed up through the axle?
S2R800 has no holes in axle....which is why I asked the question, drilled or replaced???
Cheers.
Madalf