Now, I know that the VTR has some crappy brakes compared to full fledge sporties... but what I want to know is what is so bad about them and is the problem that I see part of that, or do I need new rotors...

at speed under anything but light braking, I get a decent shudder... it is not unsafe, but it is constant under brake load. I asked a hawk owner at my local honda shop and he said his does it too, and he has had the rotors replaced with no improvement.

Given that this problem directly effects my confidence level, I would like to know the extremes of putting better brakes on... do I have to swap stuff? or can it be done a different way?

Neo out.

 

If you want to check, take a runout measurement on the rotor and check it against manual spec. I haven't noticed any shudder in my bone stock system.

 

I get a studder in the front end, and I have EBC rotors..
I think it just needs new brake pads up front though..

(gonna put some HH on both ends)

8) TJ 8)

 

I've never had a problem with my brakes, I keep them in good shape, and I use the special hi-heat brake caliper grease on the brake pistons, this seems to help.

I have SS lines up front and back.

I think you should check your head bearings, this is a problem area as the VTR likes to wheelie, and that is hard on the head bearings.

Cheers!

 

I've never had a shudder on my '98 with SS lines. Sounds like something I'd try and find a cure for pretty quickly.

 

Thank you for the reply, I am going to take care of that after my chain... I have a very worn chain with 11k miles on it.

 

No shudder here. However, as you mentioned stock brakes, the OE brakes are awful, definitely the worst of any bike I've owned. Poor stopping power, a diving front end, and poor overall feel. I rectified these with a Racetech front end treatment, SS lines, and better pads (GoldFren ceramics). I noticed a huge improvement. I can't imagine anyone tolerating the OE brakes...or front suspension for that matter (not that the rear is great either).