Ever since 09 when I bought my 550XP, I've never been satisfied with its stopping power. New pads, bleed them time after time. No better. Good thing I don't ride fast or a big oweee would be in my future. Almost like the master cyl or brake pistons are too small and can't put enough pressure on the pads or they might be too small also. Any other XP riders experience this or are we satisfied with a large heavy machines with inadequate brakes.

 

May not be the caliper, caliper pistons or pad problems,but could just need a new master cylinder rebuilt kit. If it sucks just a small amount of air,stopping power is reduced. Dirt Cheap Yamaha, Honda, Arctic Cat & Polaris OEM Parts & Accessories – Cycle Parts Warehouse

 

Thats the one thing I haven't tried so that's next, The fluid resevoir is way too small also. Bleed one wheel 3 cycles & its empty & pulling air into the line.

 

Mongrol.... do you have brakes on all four wheels or is it the 2 up front and single in rear? Also, do you think the tracks take more brake stopping power over tires?

 

Old style - 2 up front & 1 in back. The tracks are pretty draggy, so when they're on, I just use the rear one.

 

My large heavy machine has very adequate brakes. I can grab a handful of brake and lock them down. Don't know how you could improve on that.

 

"Lock them down"? I should get so lucky. Not even close on mine.

 

Have you ever checked the brake pads themselves or the rotors? As bobX2 described about his brakes, I was lucky enough to drive a 2013 850XP for about a 150 miles or so and the brakes worked very well. They were better than my 2007 500 X2...... and I was perfectly happy with them, plus the X2 has brakes on all four corners...... go figure.

 

Yup, but only had to replace the rears, fronts were at 50 %. MY 08 400HO & 06 Hawkeye were really good also.