BEST BRAKES

Hi guys, I’ve got a 2006 R1. It’s a good bike but I want better brakes on it. Do I spend the money on calipers, pads, lines or a new master cylinder? I’m not minted so want to make the best investment for the least amount of money. I do the odd trackday but my bike’s mostly on the road, scratching on the weekends and stuff. What would you suggest I do?

Mark Lacey

Hi Mark, money is the root of all evil… and the path to better brakes. If you had the stuff coming out of your ears we’d suggest kitting your bike up with all the bits you’ve mentioned, but as that’s not on the cards, our first shout would be to invest in good pads. How old are the ones you’ve got in it? Are they contaminated? What is it you don’t like about them? There are so many awesome pads on the market nowadays that’ll offer you better brakes on the road but also be great on track, so maybe pop over to your local dealership and ask a few questions about the brands they stock and the products they have available. New lines will always help the cause too, and fresh fluid, so consider these factors too if your budget allows. The stock master cylinder on your bike is far from the worst, so I’d recommend changing it as a last resort, focusing on the cheaper pads and lines first because they’ll make a bigger impact. Another thing to check is the state of your discs. If they’re worn or warped they won’t perform well. Same goes for them being contaminated, so maybe a good clean of the pads, discs and calipers wouldn’t go amiss. Without seeing your bike it’s hard to tell, so find a trustworthy mechanic and they’ll put you in the picture. Hope this helps.