[clicksrv]

Hello folks!

I own a Suzuki Gixxer SF Fi DD from 2017, and was looking for some aftermarket brakes to upgrade my dull braking experience from the probably worn out brakes that I currently have.

I am also looking to upgrade my bike in the near future (I've pretty much outgrown my bike), however, my wife is interested in riding too, and will be using my current bike to learn and to commute to her workplace, so I don't mind spending a little to improve my bike.

Feel free to drop thoughts related to other ways to improve my bike on not too expensive a budget.

Thanks!

[Shonith]

You can improve your brakes by,
1. Using braided brake lines, since yours is a non ABS model you would need to consider the brake line lenght when buying a braided brake line.
2. Change the brake fluid if it has not been done for more than 2 years it will also depend on environmental conditions where you ride, brake fluid degrades more quickly in humid conditions.
3. Check for different brake pad materials, sintered pads are the easiest way to get more stopping power.
4. Use a bigger rotor from the 250. You can use your present caliper but you will have to change the mounting plate to match the bigger disc.

[shancz]

Shonith has good points, I agree.

Just moving over to sintered brake pads from EBC made a significant difference to a friend's Duke 390. That's a simple change to try out.

Before any of this do check the condition of your disks too.

[drt_rdr]

If your brakes haven't been worked on in a couple of years, then:

1> Check if there's any brake fluid leaks. If yes, you can think about replacing the brake line. If no, keep it for now.

2> Bleed out the brake fluid, make sure the job is done right. (use DOT 4)

3> Replace worn out pads with stock ones.

This should bring back the braking to good levels on the cheap. Since you mentioned it'll likely be ridden by your wife, I'd suggest not going with braking that's too sharp, especially on a non-ABS bike. The stock brake on the Gixxer is beginner friendly and good enough.

In case you're unsatisfied with it, you can consider spending more on everything pointed out in the posts above. Aftermarket lines, pads, different master cylinder, rotor etc etc.

[sagarpadaki]

In addition to what others have mentioned, you can also try swapping the Master Cylinder(MC) to the ones on similar capacity KTM Dukes or TVS Apache. Their MC are better engineered and provide improvement in braking performance.

Note that, some jugaad might be required with respect to the brake light switch that is mounted at the bottom of the MC and is responsible for lighting up the brake light whenever the front brake lever is pressed.

Also, Sintered brake pads provide good improvement in braking. EBC HH are the gold standard in this area. Note that, these Sintered pads are pretty aggressive on the rotor and will lead to accelerated rotor wear

[Chandrahas]

Originally Posted by shancz

Shonith has good points, I agree.

Just moving over to sintered brake pads from EBC made a significant difference to a friend's Duke 390.

The easiest and the most cost effective method for tangible gains. Also, you could rather go for ceramic brake pads. Vesrah ones retail for around a 1000 Rs.

And, if your brake fluid is old enough (~2 yrs) upgrade to Dot 5.1 fluid.

[Chandrahas]

Originally Posted by Chandrahas

Also, you could rather go for ceramic brake pads. Vesrah ones retail for around a 1000 Rs.

This is the price for only the front pads. The complete set would cost you ~ 2k.
I forgot to add that you don't need to go for sintered pads at both front and rear. If you are on a budget, changing only the front pads would suffice.

[clicksrv]

Awesome, thank you guys for your inputs. For a 150, I think the EBCs are overkill. I inspected my brake pads and found that the front pads are at the brink of being out, and the rear one has some life in it, but I find it really dull in general.

My front pad has been swapped out once before in the 30k my bike has done, the rear pad, not once. I went with the Versah Ceramic Brake Pads, front and rear. From what I've read, Ceramic brake pads take time to warm up and are relatively high performance brake pads, will swap out and see.

Also considering to change to the LiquiMoly Dot 5.1 brake fluid, I've read good reviews for it. I'll check my bike's condition after the service and will see if I feel there's a need to improve braking further.

And yes, not aiming for something too bitey, but good feedback and stopping power. Since I've had the bike, I learnt engine braking and rev matched downshifting, and I rely on that a good deal in general scenarios, only relying on brakes where heavy braking is needed (paired with engine braking as well).

Will share the resulting outcome in a few days once I've had the chance to test it out.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by clicksrv

My front pad has been swapped out once before in the 30k my bike has done, the rear pad, not once. I went with the Versah Ceramic Brake Pads, front and rear. From what I've read, Ceramic brake pads take time to warm up and are relatively high performance brake pads, will swap out and see.

And yes, not aiming for something too bitey, but good feedback and stopping power. .

Ceramic brake pads perform well once they are heated up. If you want a better feedback, you need to change the master cylinder. I would suggest the MC from Apache RTR 180/200.

Since the brake pads at the front are already worn out, you are seeing the decline in braking performance. EBC's are not an overkill. I would suggest a set of EBC's at the front along with a brake fluid flush with a DOT 4 fluid. I would not recommend DOT 5.1 since their life is lesser, ~ 1 year or so.