CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO IMPROVE BRAKES?

[NiteLife]

It seems like I have to apply quite a bit of pressure on the Brake Pedal to achieve decent stopping ability.

Does anyone make better Calipers, Rotors and or Pads for the Spyder? Is there adjustments that can be made with the ABS?

There is quite a bit of talk about the brakes squealing but little or nothing about overall stopping power.

I'm used to the great braking ability of sport bikes. The stopping power of my Spyder could definitely use some improvement.:dontknow:

Jim

 

[arntufun]

My Spyder stops way quicker than my Sport bike ever did. nojoke In taking my Spyder apart yesterday, I noticed a adjustment screw behind the brake pedal. At least I think it was. I am willing to bet that it is, but wait until the experts get on here before you do it.

Before you adjust it, make sure your pads are not shot. :thumbup:

 

[BikerDoc]

I find the Spyder stopping ability to be down right amazing & I had to test the recently in a life and death situation.. Better have yours checked by dealer.. something sounds very wrong.

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:

Brakes plus nanny should have you stopping on a dime.

Recommend the same as above. Have your brake system checked.

 

[thehawk]

My .02 cents ...

... I think I had bad braking habits. For quite awhile I used a technique from my Kawasaki days. I left the arch of my boot resting on the peg, raised my toe and 'rolled' my foot around onto the brake pedal. For the most part it worked ... and the brakes felt a little weak. Looking at the BRP ads on their website I observed that the rider demonstrating the ABS and stopping power of the Spyder lifted his foot from the peg and used his whole leg to press the ball of his foot down on the pedal. Boy, what a difference that change in technique made!! I think the added weight of my leg put a preload on the pedal which required much less of a push.

As they say, your mileage may vary ... but it makes all the difference for me. The brakes feel quite good now.

Just another of those subtle reminders that the Spyder is a unique machine with its own personality.

thehawk

 

[Madincalif]

I had this problem start on me, The bike has been stopping on a dime and then one day it decided it needed way more pedal than normal, but I would release the brake and hit again quickly and it worked fine. I would say at least have it checked out

 

[wyliec]

I had this problem start on me, The bike has been stopping on a dime and then one day it decided it needed way more pedal than normal, but I would release the brake and hit again quickly and it worked fine. I would say at least have it checked out

Did you have your spyder checked out? You shouldn't have to hit the brake twice.

 

[NancysToy]

The Spyder does take a fair amount of brake pedal pressure, and the brakes are not as stout as some sport bikes (which are much lighter) or sport touring bikes. That being said, it does stop pretty well, and with the ABS and three wheel stability, it will stop straight and handle a panic stop better than most bikes. I have found that the brakes on some Spyders tend to be weak because of brake pad glazing. Breaking the pads in properly, and using the brakes hard repeatedly (like when riding the twisties) seems to help that issue. (It also helps with brake noise.) If worst comes to worst, your dealer can deglaze the pads, or you can remove them and sand the faces lightly as well as clean them with a good brake cleaner. There are EBC pads available, but they have not had good reports. The BRP Gen 3 pads are probably better. There are no aftermarket calipers that I am aware of. I doubt we will see any. The clearance to the front wheels is very limited. Larger rotors or calipers are not physically possible with this configuration.

 

[retread]

One thing not mentioned here; you can get some "adjustment" on your brakes by making sure your parking brake is working properly. My '08 was getting a "deep pedal" till I took up the slack in the parking brake. I've got an SM5, so I rarely use the parking brake, but it still needs checked.

john

 

[boborgera]

It seems like I have to apply quite a bit of pressure on the Brake Pedal to achieve decent stopping ability.

Does anyone make better Calipers, Rotors and or Pads for the Spyder? Is there adjustments that can be made with the ABS?

There is quite a bit of talk about the brakes squealing but little or nothing about overall stopping power.

I'm used to the great braking ability of sport bikes. The stopping power of my Spyder could definitely use some improvement.:dontknow:

Jim

I never had a problem with the stopping power of my Spyder, squealing yes stopping no, That said when i swiched to Gen 3 pads [to end the squeal] the stopping did get even better.

 

[BajaRon]

I found a brand new offering in the Spyder brake pad arena... I've got a set on order and I will let you know.

When I first got my Spyder it would stop on a dime with very little effort. These days it takes more pressure and I get less stop. My Parking Brake is adjusted all the way and it still takes way too many clicks to set so I'm at the end of the rear caliper life. H

'm hoping this new brake pad compound will do the trick. Organics are quieter but they don't provide the same stopping capacity.

If these new ones work like I hope they will I'll try to get them at a good price and offer them here. Either way I'll let you know. They will be here tonight!

 

[arntufun]

Is no one going to comment on the brake adjustment located behind the brake pedal ???

 

[boborgera]

Is no one going to comment on the brake adjustment located behind the brake pedal ???

I'll give it a shot,
It's a stop so when the brakes are fully compressed the cable won't stretch or snap.!!

 

[arntufun]

I'll give it a shot,
It's a stop so when the brakes are fully compressed the cable won't stretch or snap.!!

I thought that as well untill I was messing with it and saw you can adjust it like your parking brake. There must be a reason that you can adjust it. :dontknow:

 

[fastfraser]

Not 100% sure but as my fading memory recalls when I installed the chrome foot peg support there was some adjustment to the push rod that goes into the master cylinder .:dontknow:

 

[boborgera]

There must be a reason that you can adjust it. :dontknow:

To take up slack [stretch]

 

[Madincalif]

Did you have your spyder checked out? You shouldn't have to hit the brake twice.

I haven't had it checked but it doesn't do it anymore,but I will take it in and have it looked at because when it did it, it went into limp mode.

 

[NiteLife]

Hey Guys,

TheHawk, posted that applying the brake pedal with your heel on the peg instead of applying more pressure with the weight of the leg may be the problem. That is exactly what I'm doing. The pedal does have about a two inch play before it starts to engage the brakes. The bend required from the ankle when the heel is on the peg, just about runs out as the brakes start to engage I will have to change my braking technique! I just rolled over 1,000 miles, so a mechanical problem is probably not likely. The rotors are like brand new, no sign of any problems.

The parking brake requires two clicks to engage, however sometimes I have to press it a couple few times before it catches. Like any new unfamiliar machine, there is a learning curve to deal with. Even with something as simple as pressing a brake pedal.

Even after riding about 800 miles, I still reach for the hand brake lever. Old riding habits are hard to break, speaking of Brakes.

Other than a couple quirks here and there, I really love the bike!!

​

 

[Bob Denman]

There's no doubt that these critters require some "adjustments" to ones riding style... :shocked: I kind of thought that the brakes took a lot of leg also... until I had a cage make a quick stop in front of me and my adrenaline kicked in! I mashed that pedal like a would a spi...(never mind), and the RT squatted down and just...stopped! :thumbup: No muss, no fuss!

 

[daveinva]

The parking brake requires two clicks to engage, however sometimes I have to press it a couple few times before it catches.

Again, a reminder: that parking brake WILL come loose over time, and quickly. That's why its adjustment is on the maintenance schedule.

I went from two clicks to engage to four clicks to engage in probably 4500 miles. It's just weird like that.