I'm looking to give the front brake a little more bite and a more progressive feel. Can this be done by pads alone or does it really call for a calliper upgrade? I've seen the Pretech site although I don't know that they cater for a 2018 model. I imagine somebody has already addressed this... I have in the meantime found this: https://www.freespiritsparts.com/en...le-t100-4p-caliper-rotor-diam-340-mm-kit.html
That will definitely sort the issue mate but it will add money to the bike which you will never recover so unless you plan on keeping it I would experiment with pads for now, which can deliver good results for improved feel and breaking if selected correctly. Im sure someone will be along shortly to give the correct advice on pads you can try. I wouldn't mind a upgrade kit like that though !
There's a few accounts around of people using parts from other bikes, particularly Honda, which could be interesting. Most of what I've read seems to apply to older Bonneville's but maybe it could apply to newer models. I've already dropped some strong money on suspension and am fairly committed to long term ownership. If I could buy a caliper for a few hundred or less that would retain the disc and be a direct replacement then all the better. I'll have a look at pads in the meantime...
I am slightly bemused by the criticism of the front brake. It is not as powerful as a twin disc setup but you just pull harder! I fitted organic pads which give great feel and can still lock the wheel. Maybe (hand) size matters? HH pads have more bite but when someone pulled out on me in the rain 6 months ago I stopped plenty fast and tyres and underwear were the limiting factor not my brakes. I really valued the feel I had. Dry smooth tarmac maybe different......but not THAT much. I liken it slightly to ‘magnumitis’ in shooting. Plenty of people increase calibre at the expense of accuracy.
I agree with Callumity on the above with regards to the stock brake being fit for purpose, on mine it is in anycase. Perhaps different year models matter having different parts for example pads ? I have experienced this with a car I owned changing the pads on the rear with another brand and it was surprisingly softer feel on the pedal. I often read about the suspension discussions too for the T100 and then wonder as mine feels just fine.
I'm inclined to agree, highly likely a pad compound change happened when a supplier changed. Do you have any info on pad part numbers per chance?
Are the newer models really that bad that you need to upgrade the brakes? At the end of the day it's your bike and you can do what you want with it. Personally, I find that the stock brakes on my '07 T100 are more than adequate. I actually prefer them to my Ducati M797 which I think are a bit OTT. I find them a bit snatchy at lower speeds.
I agree, I'm still on the pads it came with from the factory so I probably have scope for improvement there.
I wouldn't call them bad but mine at least are nothing to write home about. As I've already mentioned, I'm on the stock pads that it came out the factory with and I'll wager that Triumph just put on whatever was cheapest at the time from supplier 'x'.
I was going to put some ebc pads on my 2014 bonnie until I read the 3 pot caliper upgrade. Try a search on that phrase. Like you I wanted more bite with a more progressive feel at the lever. Achieved exactly that by fitting a Honda cb100r 3 pot with new pads. Total cost about £100. The difference in braking force was excellent. Its how the bike should have left the factory imho. Image of the fitted caliper on page 31 in the post photos section. I did put ebc pads on the rear end and was pleasantly surprised by the improvement.
I mounted the Free Spirits uograde kit to my T120. The OEM kit on my bike was slightly numb feeling, and the initial bite was wooden. But after using it for 500 miles I had acquired respect for it. The OEM brake equipment is nothing special but it stops well. The Free Spirits rotors and Brembo caliper kit are better, but won’t change your life. I’d say it’s a ten percent improvement. Initial feel is better and the bike stops HARD. I’m glad I did it, but it’s one of those things that makes you wonder if this is God’s way of telling you that you have too much money. Before and after pics:
What about improving the rear brake Instead? I know that only a fraction of the stopping power relies on the rear brake but I think it is better to have a good one. In my opinion, the rear brake of the LC T100 is not efficient. It is easy to improve but maybe this is not the subject of this thread. Bruno
If you are looking for a reasonably priced upgrade and they do pull up very well i have one fitted to my 2010 Bonny try this guy hes an italian but the part is excellent and arrives quickly,not affiliated to me in any way, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/front-br...h=item3d78ca1d2f:g:0t4AAOSwScJbEA1q:rk:1:pf:0
I just changed the brake pads on my 2018 Street Twin to EBC HH sintered pads. (No other changes, just the pads). It did make a difference compared to the OEM pads. Much improved stopping power. Recommended.
I totally agree the sintered pads seem to pull the bike up nicely got them fitted front and rear some say that the disks wear out quicker with these fitted but ive not noticed any wear so far.
Agree. Brakes (stopping power) is the most important feature on a motorcycle. If my disks wear a bit more not an issue for me. Safety first !!
