CHarles foxtrot

Has anyone gone the route that I'm considering to improve my 1199 Base non-ABS Panigale's front braking feel:

1. New pads, probably DP race pads.

2. SS front brake lines.

3. Flush of entire front system.

I'm aiming for a rock hard lever, huge initial bite, and overall grater feel and stronger braking. The stock non-ABS brakes a very good, but the lever feels a little spongy. I don't get the feel that I got from my 636 that had, coincidentally, DP race pads, SS lines, a full flush with racing brake fluid (brand forgotten).

Anyone have first hand experience with this type of project on the 1199?

zvez

Have you bled your brakes, I know a dumb question. But it's just that these new monoblocs offer some of the best braking feel for me when compared to the really good monoblocs on my streetfighter. The application seems very linear to me. You can adjusts the plungers on the master cylinders so you have a little less slack on the lever.

Mine is abs so may be different but shouldn't be as the abs doesn't come on except under pretty big load. I think I've only triggered abs one time on this bike in a panic stop to not squash a squirrel.

supduc10

Charlie foxtrot,you"ve already got braided lines as standard,the brake fluid wont be that old so should be ok,unless you"ve boiled it a few times on track. Different pads will give you different bite charecteristics. What you need to get that "rock hard" lever feel is a different master cylinder. This is were all the leverage is generated and different ratios give varying results. Ask a pro for more advice. The only other way I can think of to get a harder lever is to have some custom brake lines made using a smaller internal bore. Goodridge do a 2mm size hose,regular replacement Goodridge lines for bikes are commonly 3.5mm internal and thats pretty generic for brake hoses. The smaller bore hose would make the brakes very sharp indeed, if thats all you changed. I read that in a Goodridge catalogue and "Caution" was advised.!!!

jewcati

Try the ducabike levers with pivot adjustment. I had them on my s4rs and they helped immensly.

I hav e put them on the 1199, but my first ride with them will be tomorrow. I may sell mine as I need to put the cash toward rearsets.

They do help a lot with this issue though, and a lot cheaper than a new master.

George Villar

Sounds like air in the system. My brakes are solid. 100% stock.

anthem

the 1199 definitely has a bit softer brakes than previous ducatis that I have had (completely bled). I believe mine probably have to do with the ABS as thats another valve in the line somewhere. . But above posters are correct - if you want a much stiffer brake with great feel - you're going to have to look at upgrading the MC - first level is the RCS series, then billet, then race billet. The jumps in price are quite dramatic and I doubt most mere mortals will be able to tell the difference after the RCS cylinders.

CHarles foxtrot

If I am not mistaken, the adjustment at the lever is only for position.

The several 1199 models I checked had spongy levers.

I'll bleed the front brakes this weekend. New pads I'll order tomorrow.

anthem

I don't think bleeding will help that much. I wouldn't say the 1199 has 'spongy' brakes, but it does "give" a lot more than previous model Duc's that had them solid/tight. I believe the only way you're going to get that is if you replace the master cylinder. For whatever reason this particular Brembo MC and caliper combination is a bit softer for lack of a better term.

jarelj

The stock master cylinder does have a spongier feel than a brembo racing master does, but the braking performance is still very good. Brembo does not have a racing master cylinder available for the Panigale yet, they're still working on it. Because of the new m50 calipers the master has a different piston size than prior superbikes, so a new racing master will be necessary.

duckyduc

not sure i want stronger initial bite...

zvez

The little knob on the front of the lever is for position, BUT the little plunger shaft that goes into the master cylinder rubber boot can be adjusted to take up slack on the lever, ie you can adjust it so that the brakes engage immediately on pressing the lever .

Marcbc

Interestingly I have just put on the Austin Racing levers and the plunger shaft is non adjustable. Correspondingly the brakes are slightly softer on the take up but with more feel.

zvez

I just checked mine, and while different in construction from the plunger on my streetfighter mc, it sure looks like that plunger is threaded with a hexagonal cross section to enable loosening or tightening, it appears from the factory, it's threaded all the way in, but you should be able to adjust it outward, I didn't want to mess with it too much so I'm probably wrong.

I noticed this adjustability when I changed to crg levers on my SF.

jewcati

The Ducabike levers are Adjustable for position AND pivot ratio. Meaning you can change how much bite is initially felt. You can make the quite aggressive if you like.

I love mine, but rear sets are more important right now. I might be putting mine up for sale tonight.

The are quite pricey though, I paid 450 new.

mat1529

I would just check I had this problem and the dealer replaced the brake servo, completely different feel now. So much better, so get this checked first before you go down other routes...?

CHarles foxtrot

Mat1529, you have abs, right? I've got the std brakes.

Zvez, you've also got a base, right?

I agree with jarelj: the brakes are powerful. I hope I don't have to drop 5 bills on a racing master cylinder! If I have to in order to get the right feel I'll do it, but still. . . .

My pads are now in hand: Dunlopad DP Racing pn # RDP978

I'll install the pads and bleed the system this weekend. Report to follow after Beaverun on 9/16/12.

Thanks for all the input guys!

zvez

Yep I've got a base with abs. Good luck.

supduc10

Charles I hope you aint wasted your money on pads. You really can"t go wrong with Brembo stuff. They spend millions on R+D to get things right. Each component complimenting the other in a intergrated package. Aftermarket pads just dont cut it for me and i"ve tried a few. Feel great when brand new,but go off quickly and don"t keep the consistency of OE throughout their life cycle,just one sting and thats the price of Brembo pads,dearest out there. Any way each to his own. I hope you get a result.