C50 Braking Ability

[Boulevard Billy]

I love my C50T. A great bike to learn on and very forgiving. The only thing that I dislike and very strongly, is the poor brakes on this bike. At six hundred pounds wet and a three hundred pound fat man riding, the bike stops like an 18 wheeler. It really needs another disk on the front or better yet, the drum brake to disappear altogether. I feel like a damn teamster hollering "whoa mule" when I catch an early yellow at the intersections. I have tightened the rear brake up and will be getting the service department to re-adjust the front brake at the next service.

What does it cost to replace the current front brake lines with steel braided ones? What is the opinion of anyone that has done this with regards to an increase in braking power? I feel like Fred Flintstone coming to an intersection. On the plus side, the engine compression really slows the bike into the stop when down-shifting. I only use the brakes normally from about 25 mph or less but always lighly dragging the rear brake in order to turn the brake light on and nothing more. In my humble opinion, this is the only area that Suzuki has really failed in developing the C50.

Lastly, I have set the rear suspension to the highest position number seven. Remember, I am big enough that riding the bike is always like two up. It is stiff but it handles well which is what I like. Are there any opinions as to whether the stiff suspension setting causes problems in the balance of the brake bias? There is no way I could ever lock up either the front or back brakes on normal, dry and debris-free roads.

[blackie1491]

Tim did the steel brakeline on his, he went with the black version, he also upgraded the pads at the same time. He happy with the improvement.

I believe it cost him $40, but did the work himself.

He will pop up later and pass on the info.

[Dave Nadeau]

I wieght about 200# and the Bride about 135# I have had no problems with the brakes IF I use both together........There are times when I wish I had a little more but I remember when my old Truimphs and Nortons only had drums and you just learned to adapt, or swwearve really good. LOL

[tlwisner]

I installed a Galfer stainless brakeline on my front brake, it does give a much nicer feel to the front discs and along with some new pads the brakes bring the C50 to a halt with authority.

With the long wheelbase on the C50, using the both brakes becomes more important since there is more weight on the big fat back tire than you would find on a shorter bike.

I'm pleased with the brake line upgrade, and the work wasn't really difficult. I did it with no problems and got it 100% perfect the first time. Using a vacuum pump makes it easy.


There are quite a few cruisers larger than the C50 that still use one front disc. Many H-Ds and bigger Victory bikes for instance, and the VTX 1300...

The C50 and other bikes in the same class are "value" bikes, you get a lot for the money, but it's still a $6000 bike.

[jpwM50]

See this thread;
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ghlight=brakes
I have just installed new sintered brake pads with steel braided lines and what a great improvement. Everyone should do this, its too dangerous with the lousy stock brakes.
Price was about $75 for lines and $30 for the pads. CAN.

[NeilM]

Tim, which brake pads did you use? I'm about to order the Galfer line and might as well go the route.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by NeilM

Tim, which brake pads did you use? I'm about to order the Galfer line and might as well go the route.

I used DP sintered brakepads, because the SBS pads were out of stock. They have seated and are doing quite well now.

[Boulevard Billy]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am surprised that $100 approx. is considerably less than the boat anchor and 50' of nylon rope that I was going to purchase.

PS. I was getting quite horse from hollering; "Get out of the way, I can't stop!"

[tlwisner]

Hey B. Billy, is your brake handle coming all the way to your grip when you're trying to stop? You may just have air in your brake line. Never the less, the stainless brake line is a sweet thing.

[NeilM]

With the brake mods did anyone change the rear brakes at all or just front?

[Roger28]

I agree that the stock brakes are one of the negatives of this bike. The power could also be a little better on the highway but, what can you expect with a heavy bike and small engine?

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by NeilM

With the brake mods did anyone change the rear brakes at all or just front?

The rear brake has a cable, it's not hydraulic - so there's not much you can do to it. Most of your braking power comes from the front tire though - so the SS hydraulic line in the front is a worthwhile addition.

[jpwM50]

Maybe he was suggesting new brake shoes.

[NeilM]

Originally Posted by jpwM50

Maybe he was suggesting new brake shoes.

Yep, rear brake pads was the question. It would seem that changing everything at once would make the most sense.

[Fishpart]

Same problems with the M50.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by NeilM

Yep, rear brake pads was the question. It would seem that changing everything at once would make the most sense.

I don't think I'll get any more braking out of the back, the back brakes will already lock it up if pressed hard enough and the pads ahould last another 20,000 or 30,000 more miles for people who don't rely on it as the primary brake. My experience has been that the rear pads last a lot longer than the front ones.

[NeilM]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I used DP sintered brakepads, because the SBS pads were out of stock. They have seated and are doing quite well now.

I'm interested in the sintered pads because they're supposed to provide the best performance wet or dry, and here in Seattle we tend to get some wet. I've been told there's a lot a squeel from the brakes while the pads are seating, did you get this on yours?

[U. S. Male]

I guess i'm in the minority here but my breaks are great on my 05 C50T. I had a chance to use them in an emergency stop the other day and they stop fast when you apply front and rear at the same time.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by NeilM

I'm interested in the sintered pads because they're supposed to provide the best performance wet or dry, and here in Seattle we tend to get some wet. I've been told there's a lot a squeel from the brakes while the pads are seating, did you get this on yours?

I was wondering about the noise, but after a week they were fine.

[jpwM50]

No noise here either.