Brake question

rflnomad · 07-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Is it me or are the Nomad brakes a little weak. 8900 miles and no real changes, just not really very strong stopping power. They don't need to be bled and are firm at the lever and pedal.
I know the bike is heavy and I drive pretty slow so it isn't really a big issue. But I worry if I have to really have to haul it down in a hurry.
Anyone done brake upgrades?

07-09-2008, 08:31 PM

I've stopped pretty fast a few times (stupid cages!!), and have always thought that the brakes are good, especially for such a big bike.

Silly question, but are you using both front and rear brakes to stop?

Michael K

**Top Cat** · 07-09-2008, 11:08 PM

I think the Nomad brakes are real good. I was practicing my panic stops the other day and was happy with the results. Well , all except for the one time I locked the rear and slid a little off line

vroc13091 · 07-09-2008, 11:39 PM

On mine (both the 1500 & 1600) sitting still or riding at slower speeds the front brake seem soft and require a lot of pressure to stop The rear feels hard and seems to require noticable effort.. But when movingI at highway speeds they seem to be more responsive.

I have been able to lock the rear at most any speed. In a panic stop I had the front wheel squeal at 70 MPH before I backed off a little..

07-10-2008, 03:57 PM

I've been very happy overall with the brakes. They loose a bit of effectiveness as the rotors get worn though. New rotors and pads and a change of fluid brought them right back to like-new performance. At nearly 5 years old now, it's getting time to change the brake hoses. I think I'll get the tougher stainless or kevlar braided ones.

macmac · 07-11-2008, 03:05 PM

I can get both to squeel like burning rubber, which means they are just about locked up. Any more pressue on my part and they would be locked.

Do you have some odd and real hard pads?

rflnomad · 07-13-2008, 07:54 PM

I do use both brakes, about 70% front and 30% rear. I have wondered if I had a set of pads that were harder that others. I am talking to the dealer and may replace them for a new OEM set
I'll let you know the outcome.

macmac · 07-14-2008, 08:18 PM

The dealer isn't going to know what pads you have in there are.. If you are going to the dealer to get pads installed, err I better not say that.. Just buy the pads there and or on line and install them your self. It won't take you an hour even if you never did it before..

All I can think of is you have glazed the pads.. maybe I don't understand "a little weak" right...

07-09-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
rflnomad Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PSL, Fla; Posts: 596	Brake question Is it me or are the Nomad brakes a little weak. 8900 miles and no real changes, just not really very strong stopping power. They don't need to be bled and are firm at the lever and pedal. I know the bike is heavy and I drive pretty slow so it isn't really a big issue. But I worry if I have to really have to haul it down in a hurry. Anyone done brake upgrades? __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad, Black & Silver. 2006 Kawasaki KLR650, Lime Green! 2006 Ford F150 SuperCrew, 2WD, 4.6L; white & gold 1965 Pontiac GTO, 389 4 Speed. Bluemist Slate Cruising the back roads, that is living! Member #000033. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-09-2008, 08:31 PM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	Brake question I've stopped pretty fast a few times (stupid cages!!), and have always thought that the brakes are good, especially for such a big bike. Silly question, but are you using both front and rear brakes to stop? Michael K
	0

07-09-2008, 11:08 PM	#3
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Brake question I think the Nomad brakes are real good. I was practicing my panic stops the other day and was happy with the results. Well , all except for the one time I locked the rear and slid a little off line __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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07-09-2008, 11:39 PM	#4
vroc13091 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Where I am at Posts: 242	Brake question On mine (both the 1500 & 1600) sitting still or riding at slower speeds the front brake seem soft and require a lot of pressure to stop The rear feels hard and seems to require noticable effort.. But when movingI at highway speeds they seem to be more responsive. I have been able to lock the rear at most any speed. In a panic stop I had the front wheel squeal at 70 MPH before I backed off a little..
	0

07-10-2008, 03:57 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	Brake question I've been very happy overall with the brakes. They loose a bit of effectiveness as the rotors get worn though. New rotors and pads and a change of fluid brought them right back to like-new performance. At nearly 5 years old now, it's getting time to change the brake hoses. I think I'll get the tougher stainless or kevlar braided ones. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-11-2008, 03:05 PM	#6
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Brake question I can get both to squeel like burning rubber, which means they are just about locked up. Any more pressue on my part and they would be locked. Do you have some odd and real hard pads? __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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07-13-2008, 07:54 PM	#7
rflnomad Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PSL, Fla; Posts: 596	Brake question I do use both brakes, about 70% front and 30% rear. I have wondered if I had a set of pads that were harder that others. I am talking to the dealer and may replace them for a new OEM set I'll let you know the outcome. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad, Black & Silver. 2006 Kawasaki KLR650, Lime Green! 2006 Ford F150 SuperCrew, 2WD, 4.6L; white & gold 1965 Pontiac GTO, 389 4 Speed. Bluemist Slate Cruising the back roads, that is living! Member #000033.
	0

07-14-2008, 08:18 PM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Brake question The dealer isn't going to know what pads you have in there are.. If you are going to the dealer to get pads installed, err I better not say that.. Just buy the pads there and or on line and install them your self. It won't take you an hour even if you never did it before.. All I can think of is you have glazed the pads.. maybe I don't understand "a little weak" right... __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

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