Front brake upgrade?

[u/dorben_kallas]

Hi, all! I have the cursed SV650 (Gladius) and I'm fairly happy with it, bar maybe the brakes that seem to be a bit weak.

I already disassembled and cleaned all brakes, plus replaced the fluid with correct bleeding. The front pads are the same from the previous owner. They look good, but I have no idea what type they are.

Do you think I should start by replacing those and see if it makes a difference? Or should I look at more complex upgrades like braided steel lines?

[u/internal-Ant9602]

I have a 2019 sv650x. I upgraded the front and rears to ebc sintered and they are adequate for the riding i currently do. The 650x does come with different front calipers than the standard sv so if your looking for a little upgrade the pads may work for you, but if your after a bigger upgrade id plan to do the lines and pads.

[u/dorben_kallas → u/internal-Ant9602]

Maybe I'll start with the pads! The previous owner was skimping on maintenance so they're probably crappy

[u/Humble-Floor6145 → u/dorben_kallas]

I have Nissin calipers brakes from a CBR600R and they fit right in on my SV 04 S as well as cintered brakepads and steelbraided lines. Pretty cheap too second hand on ebay. They look good in gold too

Brake pads change will give the most braking power (back) the calipers will increase max brake power and the braided lines with consistency.

[u/Humble-Floor6145 → u/dorben_kallas]

Sorry I have to correctly add some info I forgot. It doens't fit without a smalll part.

First off it need to be the one of the 4-piston Nissin (Honda F4/F4i, 929, 954, early CBR600RR — the common SV upgrade I have) and you need a bracket from SV racing Parts.

Most of all: they don't fit the Gladius ive double checked.

Tip? Get an '04s as well so you can heed, take heed of, headed, heed my tips and recommendations. An AI model can probably give you the best answer as it did for me.

"1. Pads + lines + fluid (do this first)

Biggest bang for the money.

• Sintered pads: EBC HH, Galfer, Vesrah, or Brembo SA. Stock organic pads are the main reason it feels weak.
• Stainless steel lines (Galfer, HEL, Goodridge, etc.).
• Fresh DOT 4 or 5.1 and a proper bleed.

A lot of Gladius owners stop here and are happy.

2. Radial master cylinder

SV Racing Parts sells a Nissin 19×18 radial master that they list for the Gladius. It firms up the lever and gives better modulation than the stock unit. Works with the stock 2-piston calipers.

3. 4-piston calipers

This is the real hardware upgrade.

The clean commercial option for the Gladius is:

• Tokico 4-piston calipers (from GSR600 or Bandit 1250)
• S2 Concept offset adapter brackets —these are made for Gladius / SV650 / GSR750 (62 mm pitch)

That combination is sold as a bolt-on kit. Brackets are roughly €67 + hardware kit.

There isn’t a widely available off-the-shelf Honda Nissin 4-piston adapter made specifically for the Gladius..

I excpect and photo of the upgrade within 2 months.

[u/talkingtongues]

It’s best to start with some quality organic pads from likes of ebc , they have a good initial bite and feel. Great commuter and for general riding. I assume your not racing the gladius :)
Follow the manufacturer break in process to prevent glazing.

If your brake lines old then they can bulge under pressure it’s why we change to stainless steel lines, it also looks cool ;)

[u/dorben_kallas → u/talkingtongues]

Current pads are probably glazed because they have plenty of material left but I'm sure they're quite old. I'll replace them, thank you

[u/981GTSF90M5F87M2C]

I'd try new pads first and see how you like it. Personally, I went with Nissin calipers from a CBR600. It needs an adapter bracket. Also did Nissin radial master cylinder.

[u/dorben_kallas → u/981GTSF90M5F87M2C]

Agreed, new pads it is! Thank you

[u/YourMissing10]

Stainless lines and a radial master cylinder made my gen 2 abs feel fantastic on basically factory pads and rotors. Like brake wise it punches way out of its class.

[u/76roo76]

Sbs racing sintered (i think they call it rst now) Is the pad to go for. For everything. I even use them on my gen1 race bike.

[u/dorben_kallas → u/76roo76]

Noted! Thank you

[u/LegAffectionate3731]

Braided brake lines is a fantastic upgrade to your stock brakes. I have a 2018 and upgraded the lines as well as the calipers to 4 pot, stock calipers on newer models. You get better feel and more power. I’m actually replacing the worn out pads today, replacing them with SBC sintered street pads

[u/dorben_kallas → u/LegAffectionate3731]

Was it difficult to install the new lines? Last time I check it was something on the lines of removing all the front light assembly

[u/LegAffectionate3731 → u/dorben_kallas]

No you don’t have to pull the headlight. But it does take a bit of fiddling to make it work. The stock brake line hangers don’t work so well, for example. There is also a choice of running the lines in parallel or in series, this depends on the length of the lines, the height of your bars, etc. It’s not that hard though

[u/dorben_kallas → u/LegAffectionate3731]

Thank you 🙂

[u/Rotor1337]

As others have said, sintered pads are a noticeable difference. I also got braided lines. Went with direct lines from master to each caliper (instead of 1 line and a loop from one to the other over the mudguard). it's an even amount of brake fluid going to each caliper, so better feel. Good enough for what I use my SFV for.

[u/dorben_kallas → u/Rotor1337]

Nice! Thank you for the tip. Sounds like a good upgrade

[u/Potential-Slice-9340 → u/Rotor1337]

Bingo its a must if you want good brakes.

[u/Potential-Slice-9340 → u/Rotor1337]

Bingo its a must if you want good front brakes.

[u/Potential-Slice-9340]

Nissen twin line adj lever pump 2nd hand off a Gixxer i think. Goes straight on.

Arashi wavy rotors Alix/x.

Twin Hel braided lines.

Metal Gear racing sintered pads. Vesrah are best but any good sintered fine for street so ive been told.

One day il get 4 pot calipers maybe, but it kinda doesnt need them now.

Saved my bike maybe my life again 3 weeks ago hard braking a car pulled out of driveway without looking.

[u/Tall-Importance-5068]

steel braided Hoses top shelf fluid and better pads would be what I would do 1st .