Improving RM250 front brake

xtreme_exploder
Edited Date/Time 10/5/2015 5:56am
I have an 05 RM250 and the front brake isn't nearly strong enough unless I use 2 fingers or more. I already have a Galfer ss brake line and the brake is very firm, just no power. I would like to get more power without an oversize rotor kit. I've tried al kinds of pads (Braking pads did the best), except for some really expensive EBC race pads ($60). I've seen changing to a Honda master cylinder, or a KTM Brembo might work. I don't mind more lever travel if it means one finger stoppies. I want to know what other's experience is before I do something.
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CrGuy2T
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CrGuy2T 6/24/2015 9:43pm
6/24/2015 9:43pm
Use a 04 and up complete honda set up the caliper will go right on the Suzuki bracket.
xtreme_exploder 6/25/2015 10:53am
6/25/2015 10:53am
I heard the 07-up crf setup was the way to go? They redesigned the master cylinder and apparently even guys with older Hondas would put that on their bike for better braking.
captmoto
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captmoto 6/25/2015 8:41pm
6/25/2015 8:41pm
xtreme_exploder wrote:
I heard the 07-up crf setup was the way to go? They redesigned the master cylinder and apparently even guys with older Hondas would put that...
I heard the 07-up crf setup was the way to go? They redesigned the master cylinder and apparently even guys with older Hondas would put that on their bike for better braking.
I believe this. My 05 CR250 brake isn't all that at all. MC only or caliper as well?
respect_the_beast 6/25/2015 8:56pm
6/25/2015 8:56pm
'07 crf master cylinder is the hot ticket. Nicer, less notchy lever.

The Shop

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Digger29
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Digger29 6/26/2015 5:49am
6/26/2015 5:49am
I installed the Braking 270mm oversized rotor kit and a steel braided brake line on all of my RM250s and those mods dramatically improve the RM's front brakes.
xtreme_exploder 6/26/2015 9:27am
6/26/2015 9:27am
captmoto wrote:
I believe this. My 05 CR250 brake isn't all that at all. MC only or caliper as well?
MC only, caliper is the same I believe (as far as piston sizes go).
mxtech1
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mxtech1 6/26/2015 9:43am
6/26/2015 9:43am
Really to get what you're looking for you need to do the CRF MC and a nice quality oversized rotor like the Batfly. Re-use your SS braided line and run the EBC race pads. Yes, I know they are expensive, but the performance you are looking for doesn't come cheap.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 6/26/2015 10:07am
6/26/2015 10:07am
Like everyone has posted Honda MC is the ticket..............
xtreme_exploder 6/28/2015 2:15pm
6/28/2015 2:15pm
Awesome, sounds good. I know performance isn't cheap, I'm used to paying $250 for front race pads for my car lol.
NorcalVet
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NorcalVet 6/28/2015 4:05pm
6/28/2015 4:05pm
.... l'll let you know

just ordered an OS Galfer front and reg Galfer rotor for my '05
- along w/ new Galfer brake pads for a sweet deal @ RM/ATV

here
K-dubbb
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K-dubbb 7/2/2015 7:28am
7/2/2015 7:28am
On my 2001 Rm 125 I have a 2009 Kxf 450 caliper and it is great!
Spode
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Spode 7/2/2015 9:33am
7/2/2015 9:33am
On my 2005 RM 250 I run a 2007 Honda master cylinder and caliper, braded line and a 270mm rotor,
I like the stock Honda OEM pads.

One finger braking it did take a little getting used to at first
xtreme_exploder 7/24/2015 11:57am
7/24/2015 11:57am
I just put on a master cylinder from a 2012 CR250F, damn what an improvement! The brake engages smoothly as soon as the lever moves. No more dead zone like there was stock (no matter how much I bled it, there would be way too much lever travel before it grabbed). And the further you pull the harder it stops. The feel is great too. Maybe just better pads or a bigger rotor and I'll be happy.
NorcalVet
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NorcalVet 7/24/2015 5:13pm
7/24/2015 5:13pm


Happy w/ my new galfer skw OS/ 270 non floating wave rotor and new galfer pads

Just bled them, zip tied the lever over night. Feels great, and tight at the lever. Almost to much!!
xtreme_exploder 7/24/2015 7:12pm
7/24/2015 7:12pm
Looks good, most oversize kits for RMs are floating design, which seems unnecessary for dirt riding. I can only see it being a help for supermoto. And if you look at the best OEM brakes (Honda and KTM), they have one piece rotors. Also pro motocross bikes with big rotors are usually one piece. Makes you wonder why Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha went to front floaters on later model bikes.
BAMX
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BAMX 7/24/2015 10:08pm
7/24/2015 10:08pm Edited Date/Time 7/25/2015 5:23pm
I put a 01-02 era RM master cylinder on my 06 250 a couple of weeks ago and it is way better. It had that weird cam action lever that doesn't allow yow to adjust the preload on the plunger. It only adjusts the lever in and out. Now, you don't have to pull the lever against the grip to get it to stop. Plus, they are cheap. I got mine for $15 with free shipping on Ebay. Is it as good as a late model Honda with large rotor? I doubt it but it is way better than before.

edit: I just went out and bled the new brake again (I had a tough time getting the air out after the swap) After a big bubble came out, the lever is super hard. It now feels like my 125 which is a one finger pull.
Bruce372
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Bruce372 7/25/2015 7:45am
7/25/2015 7:45am
NorcalVet wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/07/24/98690/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Happy w/ my new galfer skw OS/ 270 non floating wave rotor and new galfer pads Just bled them, zip tied the lever over night...


Happy w/ my new galfer skw OS/ 270 non floating wave rotor and new galfer pads

Just bled them, zip tied the lever over night. Feels great, and tight at the lever. Almost to much!!
cheapest and most effective option IMO. ive got one on my 2004 RM125 and 2015 RMZ450. Venhill braided line and OEM suzuki caliper and mastercylinder.
dbrunski125 9/26/2015 8:13am
9/26/2015 8:13am
NorcalVet wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/07/24/98690/s1200_image.jpg[/img] Happy w/ my new galfer skw OS/ 270 non floating wave rotor and new galfer pads Just bled them, zip tied the lever over night...


Happy w/ my new galfer skw OS/ 270 non floating wave rotor and new galfer pads

Just bled them, zip tied the lever over night. Feels great, and tight at the lever. Almost to much!!
Those lightspeed fork wraps look really trick. I was thinking of getting a pair for my rm 125. How do they mount and stay in place / did you have an fitment issues with them?

Awesome looking bike!

Pit Row

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NorcalVet
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NorcalVet 9/26/2015 8:39pm
9/26/2015 8:39pm
... it came w/ the bike when I bought it.

Nope, they just pop right on or off
YZ125H1
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YZ125H1 9/27/2015 11:59am
9/27/2015 11:59am Edited Date/Time 9/27/2015 12:00pm
I'm having the same issue on my 04 RM250. Front brake is weak barely stops the bike. I'm thinking about getting an OS rotor. On motosport they have driven and galfer skw at around 120-135$ for the rotor and bracket any experience with driven?
dbrunski125 10/5/2015 5:56am
10/5/2015 5:56am
K-dubbb wrote:
On my 2001 Rm 125 I have a 2009 Kxf 450 caliper and it is great!
Think it would be possible to mount a ride engineering aftermarket front brake caliper on an 04 rm 125? Seeing as you mounted an 09 kx 450f front caliper on your bike lol
Teej317
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Teej317 12/26/2016 9:34am
12/26/2016 9:34am


Any reason to believe why this wouldn't work on my 05 RM 250?

mikejones202
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mikejones202 12/26/2016 7:53pm
12/26/2016 7:53pm
Teej317 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/26/165719/s1200_Screenshot_2016_12_26_10_32_32.jpg[/img] Any reason to believe why this wouldn't work on my 05 RM 250?


Any reason to believe why this wouldn't work on my 05 RM 250?

I purchased the same set up and when I attached the caliper, I couldn't get the wheel on due to it hitting the rotor. I need to look at it again as I may have something flip flopped but as of what I know now, the caliper will not work!
xtreme_exploder 12/27/2016 3:26pm
12/27/2016 3:26pm
The caliper will work, if you install it using the RM caliper bracket. Don't think there's a point though, as the calipers are mechanically identical. The main benefit is the Honda master cylinder.

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