Hey guys,

Been riding my f3 just about everyday since it was revived a few weeks ago. I also have an 03 r6 that i picked up as another project, needed work etc and got it up and rollin today, went for a good ride. Rght off the bat i noticed one huge difference in the brakes. The brakes on my r6 feel way different (better i think?). The brakes on my F3, mainly the front brake, feels very touchy, i squeeze just a little and i get a lot of clamp. On my R6 the front brake feels much smoother and more linear (i think thats the word), i can use just about all the brake levers throw before it locks. Now im wondering if its just because its 5 years newer than my 98 f3 or if maybe my f3 brakes need some work, i just bled the lines a few days ago and put new fluid in. Anyone else have a newer bike that has noticed a difference in brakes as well?

Thanks,

Blake

P.S. i might throw this in the general section too, just thought id try fellow f3 owners first.

 

one is a 1997 bike and one is a 2003 bike. =P

 

Are the brake pads/rotors/lines on both bikes stock? If so, I'm guessing the newer R6 prob comes with HH pads and better rotors which would make a difference. Plus there's also the age of each setup to consider. If they're both original setups then obviously the F3 has some extra age on it.

In the end, we're talking about 6 years of evolution in bikes which is pretty significant.

 

did you try adjusting your brake lever? you should be able to adjust it so you have close to full travel before lock. it may be adjusted too far out and thus it feels like it locks sooner.... just a thought... =)

 

Hey Blake,

The brakes between the two bikes may share the same basic components but there is a lot of technology difference between the two set ups. The discs in the front should be about the same size (296-300mm) but I'm pretty sure the R6 had 4 piston calipers instead of the 2 pistons we have on the F3. Assuming both bikes have stock brakes (or replaced with OEM) the materials used in '03 were a bit ahead of '98.

As long as the brakes are functioning properly it probably comes down to a comfort thing. With a little adjustment you can probably change the slack with your levers.

The F3 is also probably 50lbs heavier with a different shock and suspension set up. This can all effect brake response.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys,

After inspecting my f3 rotors closely over the weekend i noticed that the left rotor on the outside where the bottom of the pad "should" touch had a light rust ring. Then i looked on the inside and it had a light rust ring where the pad should touch on the top outer most area of the rotor. I did some searching on the forums and found a post about another member who's brakes did the same thing and it ended up being the pistons were stuck. I took the left caliper off, did some rigging, pumped the lever several times to get the pistons out then did a lot of cleaning. After re assembly all is well now, guess my pistons were stuck from the bike sitting for years. Took the bike for a ride last night and the brakes feel so much better, was a whole different bike.

Blake

 

get braided lines. brakes will improve dramatically

 

Eww a stuck piston would definitely do it... glad you got it sorted out.