Hey Dudes,
The other day I ordered some Vesrah "JL" brake pads for the front of the SH. (I've read all about the suspension and frt brakes being the weak points of the bike, and didn't get to log any hours on the one I sold so I've just been going by what I've read.) I just ordered them for a CBR900RR as they didn't show any for the SH, and I thought they were the same. It turns out that they aren't, Vesrah makes a specific pad for the VTR1000F, and it has it's own part number. The CBR900RR pads are part #VD154JL, and the VTR1000F pads are part #VD154/2JL. I spent about an hour researching the difference as every other manufacturer uses the same pads for both. It turns out the difference is thickness. The CBR900RR pads are 8mm, and the ones for the VTR are 7mm. I checked the Honda microfische and sure enough, the pads for thh VTR are model specific with "MBB" (Honda model identifier in the middle of the part number). The Honda part # for VTR pads is 06455-MBB-006, and the CBR900RR pads are 06455-MAS-E01. Soooo....what has me scratching my head is, since every other aftermarket manufacturer uses the 8mm thick pads for the SH, does the extra 1mm per pad negatively effect brake performance? Possibly by not allowing enough space behind the caliper pistons to achieve full pressure? Are the rotors on a CBR900RR 2mm thinner than a SH? This might expain (at least partially) the poor braking performance experienced by so many riders. Anyways, this thing has me wondering, should I install the pads and run them, or special order the pads that are 1mm thinner. This is enough to make me say,

 

If this 1mm causes weak performance, after the pads wear out this 1mm they will be better, right?Just grind out 1mm from each pad if you think it is such a big deal. My opinion is that if the pads go in the caliper, they are ok. For weak braking power i recommend good combo of 4/6 pot calipers, radial MC, streel lines and good pads, it really makes a difference

 

Never heard of the 1mm thing but you can get a big jump in breaking by just installing cbr600f4i calipers (or 600rr I think). I have this whole system and they are WAY better than stock vtr and can be had for like $40 on fleabay.

Do a search on here but it only takes a bit of grining to the calipers to fit the 600 on the vtr. Also allows more pad choices.

 

+1 to smokingjoe73

 

I suggest u go for the F4i caiper mod too. I tried pads. brake fluid. bigger master pump. al the same. Till the F4i caliper came along......... immense stopping power.. nothing beats a bigger caliper piston.