DR650SE Index Topic #5- BRAKES

Brakes don't seem to get a lot of discussion when it comes to the DR650. Suzuki struck a good balance for dual-sport braking. Not too powerful, which would be trouble off pavement, or too weak for quick stopping on the street.
Not that there aren't parts out there for stronger brakes. Oversized and wave rotors, braided steel lines, and different brake pad compounds are all available.
Please tell us what's worked the best for you when it's time to stop, or about upgrades you've made to your braking system...

tpi has afordable braided brake lines
http://www.tpimotorcycleparts.com/

it's generally accepted the oem front sintered pads are the best.

Yes and yes...

my stock 97 dr650 has the $40 (2 sets) ebay pads.
i changed the front line with a teflon. i ride 95% road, commuting.
no issues.
i believe the best thing you can do with non-new model is completely flush the systems every few years & clean everything yearly.

bump

I wore out the oem pads up front in 8K riding 80% in town. I changed them out with 1/16" left of the wear lines so, there was some life left. I used them hard though, riding off road on muddy roads in the rain with lots of gear up and down switch backs.

I'm trying the DP pads that TPI sells. I haven't used them long enough to give a real review but, so far so good. They don't spit black bust out like the stockers so, I guess they are harder? I have not ridden in the rain yet but, the dry grip has been very good. Not as loud as some EBC HH pads I've tried on other bikes.

Usually the stock oem is best though, I like stock pads on my FJR. So, are the DP pads going to kill my rotor or what?

dp does make nice pad. guess the pioneered sintered technology.
not many people use or know about em as ebc is so prevealant and yes noisy. keep us updated please!

FWIW, I haven't heard any strange noise with the EBC's I have on now.

I have the braided lines and use EBC "R" compound pads.

Very happy.

I like how they feel after 300 miles or so. They do cost some $$$ though... I guess its because they are made in the UK. Hopefully that means quality.

Bump

is that the one that is red in color?
if so the red painted ebc are the carbon ones that never squeal but do not brake as well at the extremes or when wet. carbons are more linear stopping than sintered coming on real strong feeeling.

... an old racer trick is to use sintered pads up front for max braking power and softer carbon pads in the rear to lessen the chance of locking up the rear tire.

i use oem up front and ebc red/carbon in the rear of my bike.

no one has mentioned ebc 320mm super moto rotor and adpater bracket.
tpi has em listed in their brakes section http://www.tpimotorcycleparts.com/

i used these rotors to upgrade my klr brakes and the stopping power is unreal but in the dirt you actually have better modulation that the stock one because the stopping power is very linear. i'd match this rotor w/ a ebc red/carbon pad so you don't overbrake in a panic.

if you really want to stop now (or your a BIG guy who needs all the braking he can), this rotor would be my 1st mod over braided lines.

heres a tip if you need to pull the rotor
use heat & impact driver, the bolts are saturated in red loctite

Someone a while back swapped a smaller bore diameter front brake master cylinder onto the DR, from an ATV I think, but I can't find any posts relating to it.
Can anyone refresh my memory?

Front caliper brake pad clips

#4 here:
http://www.bikebandit.com/2000-suzuki-dr650se/o/m5882#sch240779

Goes here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14947703&postcount=5

Just a bump, has anyone swapped out the original master cylinder for an aftermarket one?

Cheers
Pete

The 11mm RMZ 450 master cylinder works,no mirror boss and a pressure switch banjo bolt needed.
The stock DR650 clutch cable fits up to the RMZ clutch perch and lever also,quality parts and shorter levers unlike the bargain basement DR items.

This picture needs updating as it was before the pressure switch banjo bolt arrived.

another way to approach would be upgrade rotor to something larger and keep oem master cyl.
http://www.procycle.us/bikepages/dr650.html#brakes

i use a XR400 clutch perch and lever on my bike w/ one of those car clamps that have the place for a mirror mount.

I had fitted the 320 mm EBC rotor years ago along with a braided line with the stock master cylinder.
Current set up is a DR650 wheel/axle with DR EBC 320mm rotor in RMZ forks with a RMZ450 caliper adapter and master cylinder.
Custom built braided line.
Rear is a EBC rotor and Procycle braided hose.
Procycle SM wheel set.

Dirt spec is RMZ450 front wheel with a stock RMZ rotor and DR rear wheel with a stock rotor.

With the as delivered DR brakes,braided brake lines made the biggest difference followed by different pads.
The braided line meant you could use the stock front brake to its limit due to the feedback delivered which was not possible with the stock long rubber brake line swelling under application.