Track Day - Bollixed Brakes
Discussion
Evening all,
I did a two day track day at Road America this weekend and all was going fine until the last session of the last day.
Its a fast track with long straights followed by hard braking zones and its known as being hard on brakes... a fact I discovered when I went to slow down for a right hander and came up with very little stopping power..
I scrubbed off as much speed as I could and ended up in the gravel trap where using my feet as anchors I pulled up at the back near the barrier.
No major problems, didnt drop the bike and just chatted to the corner worker for a few minutes whilst waiting for the session to end and the recovery truck to come out.
I was running OEM pads which had been fine on other tracks and this was the first time I had encountered any issues.
My question is did the pads just overheat and are still fine for use on road and other less demanding tracks, or is there a risk the material is fooked after that level of abuse and I should take it as a sign I need to upgrade to a more track friendly compound?
Sorry bout the longwinded post!
I did a two day track day at Road America this weekend and all was going fine until the last session of the last day.
Its a fast track with long straights followed by hard braking zones and its known as being hard on brakes... a fact I discovered when I went to slow down for a right hander and came up with very little stopping power..
I scrubbed off as much speed as I could and ended up in the gravel trap where using my feet as anchors I pulled up at the back near the barrier.
No major problems, didnt drop the bike and just chatted to the corner worker for a few minutes whilst waiting for the session to end and the recovery truck to come out.
I was running OEM pads which had been fine on other tracks and this was the first time I had encountered any issues.
My question is did the pads just overheat and are still fine for use on road and other less demanding tracks, or is there a risk the material is fooked after that level of abuse and I should take it as a sign I need to upgrade to a more track friendly compound?
Sorry bout the longwinded post!
Take the pads out. 2 minute job if you’re comfortable on the spanner’s. What bike is it? How old is the brake fluid? What dot is it? 4 and above should be fine. Steel braided hoses or hel etc?
It’s probably thin pads not dissipating the heat as it normally would. Easy fix one way or another
It’s probably thin pads not dissipating the heat as it normally would. Easy fix one way or another
moanthebairns said:
This is how I read this......
Novice track rider, worn pads, f
k not stopping where I am comfortable with, panic, target fixation, not pulling the brake lever more probably letting off a bit, trip to the kitty litter.
Change pads, flush brake lines, go out again. welcome to the club.
.....or this Novice track rider, worn pads, f
k not stopping where I am comfortable with, panic, target fixation, not pulling the brake lever more probably letting off a bit, trip to the kitty litter.Change pads, flush brake lines, go out again. welcome to the club.
^^^^^^^^If you've got a weakness in your brake setup you'll find it on track. You're putting far more stress, heat and demand on the system than you ever will on the road. Sounds like you just got brake fade. Usually heat related. A more track focused pad will work better at higher heats levels. As has been said, do your fluid with quality dot4, fit braided hoses, change to a more track focussed pad compound, and you'll find they're more resistant to fade. You normally get plenty of warning that your brakes are starting to fade. Not much point ignoring it at a track day. Just come in, and allow them to cool down a bit.
As for going back on the road, they'll probably be ok, but worth a pad out inspection and fluid change. You could just junk your current OEM pads and put in a good compromise now. SBS RS compound will do road and track well.
As for going back on the road, they'll probably be ok, but worth a pad out inspection and fluid change. You could just junk your current OEM pads and put in a good compromise now. SBS RS compound will do road and track well.
Thanks guys.
Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
HughiusMaximus said:
Thanks guys.
Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
Pads might well be glazed. Try a new set. I'd not expect to get more than 5000 miles from a set of pads doing a mixture of road and track work. Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
HughiusMaximus said:
Thanks guys.
Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
Sounds like you have warped the brakes from what you describe. I.e. the grabbing and releasing, typically it happens when you overheat the disc or pad and one area is able to cool unevenly. Bike is an October 2016 registered GSXR 750 with around 5000 miles and a handful of track days done.
Still has first day pads and brake fluid.
I dont think I went in any faster than previously, but the brake action felt way different.
Best way I can describe it is that when I pulled the lever I got intermittent brake action, like the brakes were grabbing and releasing (bike doesnt have ABS..).
I can see from the caliper window that there is plenty of meat left on the pads, but this might be a good time to make an upgrade to the pads and fluid..!
Usually it's when the brake pads don't come away from the caliper sufficiently (dirty pistons or pad pins are usually the culprit) meaning the pads stay in contact with the disc so when you park it after a session the disc warps slightly.
You shouldn't need to upgrade, but more likely refresh. Brake fluid is recommended to be changed every 2 years which I haven't personally seen done or strictly adhered too.
OEM pads and discs will be fine. Don't believe me then find the journo's write ups of your bike.
I have had pulsing from warped discs on other bikes but this felt different.
I'll check the pads tonight and go from there.
At a minimum I'll change the brake fluid, but will take out the pads to check for glazing as well as was recommended above.
Dont worry I am under no illusion that this bike is way way faster than me..!
I'll check the pads tonight and go from there.
At a minimum I'll change the brake fluid, but will take out the pads to check for glazing as well as was recommended above.
Dont worry I am under no illusion that this bike is way way faster than me..!
moto_traxport said:
Thought that age / model GSXR was criticised for it's pad material on track.
They come with HG pads in as standard and most people prefer HH or something?
It was mentioned in the MCN long term review.. I'm pretty sure he would be outstripping my track pace though..!They come with HG pads in as standard and most people prefer HH or something?
(mentioned around 2 minutes in)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ma-ydH7A18
Edited by HughiusMaximus on Tuesday 14th August 20:19
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