Blue spots Poo bah

[redrooster]

Hi all. i may get an ear bashing now but ho hum!!!

What is all the fuss about Bluespots.

To be honest my standard calipers work just fine. I can't outbrake Rossi so i don't see the need.
Most people will never use bluespots to there full potential and in the wrong hand they can be to powerfull.

Is it like the emperors new clothes!!!!

I haven't used them on a Trx but i have an R6

[Kevtrx849]

Having the best possible brakes can only be a good thing. No modifications required, they just bolt straight on so why wouldn't you ? And then there the bling factor.

[trixynut]

I haven't used them on a Trx

then you probably arent the best guy to say if the're better or worse then ........ maybe??

[slow codger]

Sumitomos are crap, lets be honest, otherwise they would be on R6/R1! However there are others, mine has Japanese import Brembo's on, better than Euro's, and others have changed the master cylinder on these to Aprilia, and got good brakes. You could of course completely change the front end, upside down forks and 8 pot stoppers if you so must, now there is bling factor! I think one or two of our European cousins have gone this route.

Dave E

[Mincehead]

Pssst Dave, those blue, silver and gold spots are made by Sumitomo industries too.
But yes, I have to agree, MUCH better than TRX stock calipers.

[slow codger]

Yep I knew that, but wasn't thinking!! Thanks Mince

Dave E

[redrooster]

Having the best possible brakes can only be a good thing. No modifications required, they just bolt straight on so why wouldn't you ? And then there the bling factor.

Bling is for nancies lol

Forgot, just had my brakes sorted by a good mechanic. 25 years

He's not keen on bluespots, said they are trouble if used in inclemant weather.
His words not mine.

[trixynut]

inclemant weather

That cant possibly be an issue with the bluespots mate, it would be an issue with the pads that are in them.

The ONLY reason bluespots are said to be better is cos thay are cast in one piece whereas standard TRX calipers are two pieces bolted together so can 'flex' slightly.

[redrooster]

Fair dues but you need to be a track god to notice flex in a caliper.

Bluespots are more difficult to service/rebuild too

Trouble with all calipers on bikes is they only use a dustguard instead of a proper seal to keep out the water as in cars.

My mechanic has removed the dust seals and packed them with rubber grease, he says as long as the grease is replaced and fluid changed annually, i will get no more problems!!.

[Kayla]

My mechanic ... he says...

Maybe you could try doing your own service work? One person's subjective opinion cannot be taken as gospel.

Blue spots are miles better than the standard calipers* (which I can say, having used both ) if you use them with the matching master cylinder. It's no use buying blue (or silver/gold) spots and using the standard master cylinder, it doesn't work properly.

* this is one person's subjective opinion, and should not be taken as gospel/law/fact.

[Corners R Us]

My TRX came with a set of Thundercat blue spots on and they were awful. As with any calipers maintenance is key. Keep the pistons, seals etc well maintained and any caliper will be good enough for the job it was intended surely? The bodies were corroded and beyond saving. Definitely a case of look over function but thats what the bike came with.

I have now replace my knackered blue spots with 2002 R1 gold spots. The pistons have a grey ceramic coating on them and their action is faultless. I have also put Pazzos on my bike as I have reasonably small mits and wanted levers I could reach more easily/comfortably. This meant changing the lever mounts as Pazzo don't do levers for the TRX. Bonus to this was I now have an R1 m/c to match the R1 calipers. Braided lines have always been on the TRX and they are a must in my opinion, stock calipers or not! I've always used EBC HH pads in my TRXs, stock calipers, blue spots and now the goldies. Equally the fluid gets changed regulalry and the system bled - another key ingredient for a healthy brake system.

Cost: Gold spots: £80. Braided lines £50. R1 lever mounts clutch and brake/m/c £30. Pazzos £140 but you can change the mounting blocks so I will move them to my next bike if I ever change the TRX...so they are a long term investment!

I now have a brake system that has genuine feel to it that was missing in the TRX stock setup. No I'm not a trackday hero, albeit I do like to have a punt round in the novice group every now and then! Equally replacing 1998 equipment with 2002 onwards tackle is surely sensible as technology moves on apace doesn't it?

Bling factor. Hmm a little if I'm honest but more improtantly a performance benefit has defintely been had. I do lots of road miles and I feel I've now got a system I can rely on to perform over long 200-300 mile rides without fading. And no I'm not a lunatic on the road but we do like to ride at a brisk pace on challenging roads, UK and abroad....a brake system you can rely on is essential.

When my brake discs wear out I'll be looking into what best to replace them with. Bling option is waveys buts I'm not convinvced about their performance benefit so might go with EBC round discs if I'm not convinced.

Here endeth my 2penneth!

Corners

[redrooster]

Interesting, but if you upgrade the brakes then the front suspension will need doing!!!

Then there is the added insurance, cos i guess everybody informs them that they have been changed

To be honest, i don't think a trx can justify having pots of money thrown at it.

Its cheaper just to buy a better bike.

No offence meant

I like my trx but it's just an average machine , which can be bought for a sensible price.

It's not a keeper, just a summer toy for a couple of months.

[Corners R Us]

Interesting, but if you upgrade the brakes then the front suspension will need doing!!!

Then there is the added insurance, cos i guess everybody informs them that they have been changed

To be honest, i don't think a trx can justify having pots of money thrown at it.

Its cheaper just to buy a better bike.

No offence meant

I like my trx but it's just an average machine , which can be bought for a sensible price.

It's not a keeper, just a summer toy for a couple of months.

None taken but you miss the point. Many on this forum and indeed many other car and bike forums like tinkering and modifying irrespective of the end cost cos they can. The other way to think of it is if/when you come to sell you can return the bike to stock, sell off the extras and recoup some of the money invested, or move them to another bike as they are generic bits. If as you say your bikes only a summer toy then there is indeed no point in spending money pointlessly if you're going to sell it once the seasons over. I've never understood those that buy this years hyepr sports toy, run it for 8 Sundays then part ex it for the next toy the following season, particulalry as this year sports bike prices have gone stoopid! I guess the way to look at your TRX is cheap summer fun for sensible money. I'd suggest bleeding/refurbing the calipers, refreshing the fluid and bunging some EBC pads in and riding it as the extent of your needs?

My TRX cost me £1500 for a 12K minter with FSH and came with (knackered) blue spots, race cans, -1T front sprocket, K&N, crash protectors, hugger and all the bits I'd probably have bought if it hadn't! I can't afford/justify a new bike so have spent the past 2-years+ gently fettling it when I can afford into something that makes me smile when I can hold my own against my mates on their £8K+ 120bhp sports bikes. Equally if it does end in a tangled mess of bits then I'm not gonna shed a tear...well not for long!! Equally some mods have only been carried out as and when the stock kits worn out. You might have seen the suspension thread I've been active on? I've just spent £135 on a 2010 R6 shock and adaptor to replace my tired 16K rear shock. Much cheaper than a stock TRX shock and cheaper than a Hagon replacement at £295 and I'm sure the R6 shock will be far superior too. If you saw my bike you'd think it was a shiny stock TRX, not many clues to the bits on it unless you have a keen eye! And yes the insurance company is aware of the cans and a few of the shiny bits.

Front shocks. Yep all this does highlight their relative cheapness but at 11-stone I'm not pushing them beyond their limits. Luckily the bike came with a set of Ohlins fork springs in their original box so I'll be upgrading the stock boingers when money permits for the cost of oil and some fags for a mechanic mate. Again budget biking!

Even with all the above done the TRX is still an average bike some might say but I like the sound it makes and the way it delivers its power in an unitimidating manner. 160 mile fuel range isn't to be sniffed at and £115 fully comp with UK/Euro breakdown cover is a a no brainer so again cheap fun to be had. I can also ride it for 300+ miles without the need for a massage! Interestingly a mates left his K9 Gixxer 750 in my garage for a week or so while he does some garden work and said I can take it for a spin if I want. The thing leaves me cold compared to my TRX cos I know I'd not be able to ride it anywhere near its ability safely on the road...or track for that matter!!! Equally whenever we go anywhere we always see 10 Gixxers in blue/white but not many TRXs!!

Bikes aren't a sensible, well considered thing really but we all buy/ride them regardless!!

Have fun with your TRX over the season, I suspect when you sell it you might end up with another...I did!! As you say if the bikes a keeper perhaps you can justify the spending, but I'm not about to throw Ohlins TTX front forks at it or Dymag wheels...unless I can find some cheap on eBay!!!

Ride safe, Corners

[Kayla]

[Corners R Us]

LoL!!

I shan't tell you about the Hornet I had that I spent ages powdercoating all the shiny bits black,



or the mountain bike that I have that is in its 8th evolution since I bought it as a frame 10-years ago,



or my current daily runner Peugeot 306 HDi estate which runs on 16's and is about to be treated to Bilsteins all round as the suspensions past its best!!



And no I'm not a singley on £50K a year with money to burn. I have an understanding wife, two kids and a family car too!!!

As Kayla's spotted I'm a shamless addict of wheels and patient with my eBay buying!!

Troll