Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: East Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,346
Front brake on a UK 2003 XT600E

The front brake on my 2003 XT600E is not very good, very soft, it feels like its not going to stop me and would have no confidence in it in an emergency.
Does anyone have any info on how to sort this out??
Is there another brake system you can use on the bike or will braided hoses help cure it?

Or is it just the way the brakes are on this type of bike?

Thanks in advance
Wayne
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lithuania
Posts: 204
My XT's brakes were very good, I could have probably done a stoppie (or at least get the front wheel locked up, and crash, since I haven't done a stoppie, ever).

Maybe at first try bleeding the front brakes? Or replacing all the old brake fluid. If you haven't done that already, of course...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: East Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,346
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zergman View Post
My XT's brakes were very good, I could have probably done a stoppie (or at least get the front wheel locked up, and crash, since I haven't done a stoppie, ever).

Maybe at first try bleeding the front brakes? Or replacing all the old brake fluid. If you haven't done that already, of course...
I wish mine were like that! Mine slow me down and thats it I will have a look at changing the fluid and see if that makes any difference

Thx
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Nov 2014
xtrock's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,371
I would change hoses http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEL-Braided-...item3393648ec1
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Portugal
Posts: 75
Review, check and clean throughly the whole system.
Check the rubbers, seals, pads and what not.
New oil, proper bleed and if necessary new pads....those could be contaminated/greasy.
If none of this works go for braided hoses.
Go with xtrock's sugestion HEL Performance

Cheers,
RN
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lithuania
Posts: 204
Also, I personally would check the existing hose. Press the lever and see if the hose expands in any place (grab the hose by hand and feel every 5cm of it for expansion). If the hose expands a lot (in some particular spot) this would mean the cord inside the rubber walls is broken and this might be the cause of crappy brakes. Replace the hose if it's faulty.

I hope my explanation makes sense...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: East Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,346
Guys

Thanks for all the explanations and yeah they all make sense, will try them once back from my trip

Wayne
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southampton, England
Posts: 110
Mine is a '91 and still as far as I know on the original hoses. When I got the bike they were poor with no bite and little power.

I did the usual but found the thing that turned them in to "stoppers" from "slowers" were a new disks and decent pads.

I used sintered pads in the rear and they were grabby and slightly unpredictable. Replacing those with normal pads cured that problem.

Both ends are now predictable and have enough power to give me confidence. Although the front will never be like an R1 of course.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Nov 2014
zandesiro's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Polygyros GR
Posts: 558
Check if the 2 pistons of the caliber works...In my XT600E,when i buy it,one piston doesnt work....I clean it and work fine, also i have braided hoses so everything is ok...

But dont expect an 15 year old brake technology to be like 2014...
__________________
3mountainsadventure
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Nov 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: East Yorkshireman...in the Chum Phae area, Thailand
Posts: 1,346
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit127 View Post
Mine is a '91 and still as far as I know on the original hoses. When I got the bike they were poor with no bite and little power.

I did the usual but found the thing that turned them in to "stoppers" from "slowers" were a new disks and decent pads.

I used sintered pads in the rear and they were grabby and slightly unpredictable. Replacing those with normal pads cured that problem.

Both ends are now predictable and have enough power to give me confidence. Although the front will never be like an R1 of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zandesiro View Post
Check if the 2 pistons of the caliber works...In my XT600E,when i buy it,one piston doesnt work....I clean it and work fine, also i have braided hoses so everything is ok...

But dont expect an 15 year old brake technology to be like 2014...

Thanks for the added info guys, every little helps

Wayne
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
UK 2003 XT600E front and rear spindle nuts Lonerider Yamaha Tech 8 28 Oct 2014 05:03
XT600e front brake lever shorty replacement Cambelt Yamaha Tech 11 24 Jun 2014 00:19
2003 xt600e brake pedal advice awolxt Yamaha Tech 3 5 Jun 2014 09:22

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:17.