Was casually passing through traffic on saltriver lower main road (so I was going a bit faster than the cars, they were probably doing 20-30km/h and I was probably doing 40-50. Then suddenly the car infront of me slammed their brakes on and came to a stop.
(Pedestrian crossing traffic lights I didn't notice changed, doh)
I was probably 1-2 car lengths away, I braked really hard, at least the back wheel locked at least once, I released and reapplied the brakes 2-3x. when I was about 2m from the car I was convinced I was going to hit it. (going about 20 at this point) Miraculously I managed to stop with about 40cm to spare. I was kind of 20cm off the seat as I came to a stop then dropped back onto the seat.
I was just laughing with relief because I was so convinced I was gonna crash. Thinking "shit i've got to keep a longer following distance/not come in so hot"

Then a guy on a BMW dual purpose bike pulled up next to me and said "Jesus your bike has good brakes" I just laughed and said "Yes, I'm glad I've practised emergency braking"

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A while Later I thought I should have just said "Don't fuck with the VFR! :)" (or something like that *G*)

Then I thought I should have said "Yes I have brown hair and a beard, but I'm not Jesus. :)"

I think I'm gonna put a pic of Jesus on my brake calipers :)
maybe I'll do a pic of Jesus on the front left one, Moses on the front right one, and Buddha on the back one. The big fat guy will help me keep the back wheel down :)
No disrespect intended to any religions :)
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No worries I've taken it quite seriously but I'm seeing the light side of it :)

That'll be your breaking technique sir and not the calipers Good job you practiced a lot and could apply it when needed.

(I have a set of calipers on the bike that have new seals / pistons / sliders / VERY good pads and their still rubbish compared to any new bike)

Glad you didn't total the 24

Your exhaust exits your bike on the left yes? any chance of a picture of your system?

So the VFR brakes are a bit poor compared to a new bike? interesting % wise how much would you estimate?

My braking ability didnt seem to be limited by the brakes but more the traction between the tyres and the road.
It really made me think I should think twice about my decision to leave the 'old as the hills' brake fluid in there for a while longer.
And maybe some Stainless Steel hoses for fun: http://www.400greybike.info/newforum/vi ... 24&t=14310" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I take my ferrings off to look for the suspected exhaust leak I'll definitely snap some pics for you bud!

Lope wrote:So the VFR brakes are a bit poor compared to a new bike? interesting % wise how much would you estimate?

My braking ability didnt seem to be limited by the brakes but more the traction between the tyres and the road.
It really made me think I should think twice about my decision to leave the 'old as the hills' brake fluid in there for a while longer.
And maybe some Stainless Steel hoses for fun: http://www.400greybike.info/newforum/vi ... 24&t=14310" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I take my ferrings off to look for the suspected exhaust leak I'll definitely snap some pics for you bud!

A bit poor? The 2 piston sliding VFR brakes are rubbish

The newest bikes I ride somewhat often are a 2009 CBR600RR, 2008 Kawasaki ZX6-R and a 2003 CBR954RR3.

If you pull the brake lever hard on any of those bikes at any kind of speed you'll flip it over very very easily.

There in a totally different leauge :)

You'll probably end up doing something liek this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di1BIOo-Fms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even the NC30 brakes are much much better

Although I do have to say that I could only stop 1ft shorter on the NC35 than I could on the RC24[0] from 30mph[1], the NC has better tyres, brakes and suspension but the limiting factor is it's too short and lifts the back, the RC24 has a tendency to lock and tuck....

The two pot sliding calipers are ok when fully fettled, the NC35 calipers are better but even those show their age next to the CBR600RR brakes when fitted to the NC35.

Druid

[0] Which I believe is the same brakes as the NC24.
[1] We went with a few newbies and got them to practice emergency stops, managed to get them to all half their stopping distances from their first attempts!