Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Ok.....I have just purchased a 2006 ZX10R. Before buying this model I read extensively about the brake issuses with this model. I have searched this forum for the answers but only seem to end up with more questions.

On my first ride at slow speeds 60-70kmph I noticed that the lever would move roughly 60% before the brakes would start to slow the bike down and the lever would continue until it hit the grip (on No.1 setting). The brakes seem to be in good order, plenty of meat left and disc thickness well within the servicable range. I purchased some new Penrite SIN brake fluid and replaced the old fluid. Then I bled the system thoroughly. This improved the feel of the front and rear brakes but they are still a far cry from even my 08 Z750 brakes. I have read that a larger MC fixes the problem and other say that it doesn't. Some say I need to change callipers, Nissin?? other brand Tokico's or even Brembo's?? Other fixes require a combination of both. I have no issue with doing the work myself but seeing as I live 300Km from anything called a major town I would like to find a combination that is proven.

The bike will be used for fast\normal road riding and maybe 1-2 trackdays a year so I am not looking for a race proven brake setup.

What I would like is to hear from people that have upgraded their 06-07 ZX10R brakes and what the outcome was.

All help is much appreciated.

nissin calipers from a zx14 or 08+zx6 and stainless steel braided brake lines help as well

but its the calipers that are the problem. a brembo master cylinder can mask the problem as well.

Cheers!

yep the issue is the calipers.

Pick up any of the following calipers and some braided lines and yo'll be happy ever after.
- nissin calipers from the 08 6r or zx14
- tokico calipers from the new 10r's
- tokico calipers from the cbr1000.

Brembo MC doesnt solve the issue just mask it alittle but they still fade eventually.

agree with above, on my 04 it had the same problem even with brqaided lines. i stuc a set of zx14 calipers on and hey -presto! as good as brembo brakes!

But since i race my 06, i cant swap the calipers, so i am running the standard setup with braided lines and GS610 fluid. they fade a little, but they are more than good enough on the track.

I know the lever moves a bit before you get any action, but they still work, and work quite effectivly right to the end of a race with stock Pads still.

Yep as above. My tracky has the stock M/C and ZX14 calipers and it's really good. It had a brembo M/C on it when I got it but I reckon the stock M/C feels better.

Thanks Guys,
Next question......I read that you can add spacers to the Nissin ZX14 callipers (5mm) and upgrade to a 310mm disc. Has anyone done this and is it overkill for a fast road application?? Are there any years models that are best for the above callipers?? Who would you recomend for the braided lines. I don't have endless $$$ atm so is there anyone that has a good product for cheaper (not chinese crap).

Once again thanks for the above information guys.

On my 05 10 race bike (same calipers as 06/07), I ran the std set up for the first couple of years and they worked fine. They started to get a bit sloppy so I serviced the calipers and put an 06/07 master cylinder on. This was ok for another few months but slowly they got worse. I have tried 3 different sets of std calipers all with no luck and now have a Brembo master cylinder on it. This works ok but the fade is still huge and after about 5 or 6 laps the amount you have to move the lever before the pads bite is huge, and thats pumping a lot more fluid with the Brembo MC.
Theres a lot of ppl that will say its the MC and I can say from my experience that is not the problem, its the calipers...
CBR 1000 / 600 calipers with 5mm spacers also work.
The std disks are fine, not sure why you want to change them, unless undersize..

yeah, changing discs is overkil...

if you buy CBr calipers, you need the spacers that come off the CBR, i think they are 5mm.

but zx14 (any model) and zx6r (07 onwards) 1400Gtr (any model) will bolt straight on.

Thanks guys,
I will start looking around for a set of 2nd hand callipers. Haven't had any luck up in Brisbane so I might have to look further south to Sydney and Melbourne.

Mad RS wrote:Thanks Guys,
Next question......I read that you can add spacers to the Nissin ZX14 callipers (5mm) and upgrade to a 310mm disc. Has anyone done this and is it overkill for a fast road application?? Are there any years models that are best for the above callipers?? Who would you recomend for the braided lines. I don't have endless $$$ atm so is there anyone that has a good product for cheaper (not chinese crap).

Once again thanks for the above information guys.

I have added spaces on my ZX14 calipers on my Zx6R and have added 310mm rotors def not over kill on a track bike but for general road riding and the odd track day just the caliper mod will be more than enough, save the $1k on rotors and get the suspension sorted especially the front end on those things...

Try metros spares in Silverwater NSW 02 97487400

As for braided lines get them from here also in QLD
http://www.johnstamnas.com/

i think you need to be doing under 35's at EC to justify the need for bigger rotors...

Superstock and FX are not allowed to change dics, they well be doing 35's at least on them with no issues.

Once again Thanks guys.

Simple questions get simple answers. I'll let you know how i get on.

Cheers

Chris

Wattie wrote:i think you need to be doing under 35's at EC to justify the need for bigger rotors...

Superstock and FX are not allowed to change dics, they well be doing 35's at least on them with no issues.

Yeah thats my excuse lol ... my justification was to replace my worn with new OEM rotors or same size stock EBC etc were the same price if not a bit more than what i paid for my Braketeck set up with the oversize rotors...which crap all over the stock rotors so money well spent for me at T2 and T9.

I have the CBR1000 07 calipers on my bike, bolt straight up with the 5mm spacer, they are heaps better than stock and definitely provide alot more braking confidence and alot less lever fade....

hoffy V2.0 wrote:I have the CBR1000 07 calipers on my bike, bolt straight up with the 5mm spacer, they are heaps better than stock and definitely provide alot more braking confidence and alot less lever fade....

+1... same setup 07 cbr1000 calipers, ferodo pads, braided lines, std mc and the difference from stock setup....night & day