Different part #, different design, same internals.
It's not a BAD design.  It works very well, as you point out.  Most bikes use the same style.
However, radial MC's have better leverage on the piston than the cantilevered stock design.  That gives a much firmer feel.  You can apply more manual pressure.  But, I wouldn't recommend it.  Whole-hand braking with it is like ASKING to flip. 
And the bore increase from 5/8" to 3/4" helps with lever travel and pressure the pads exert on the rotor. 

I understand the financial concern.
Figured if words are tossed around like "wave rotor" and numbers like $300...
I picked mine up on Ebay for $80.  You can probably get them cheaper.  Especially if you can sell the two you have.  Remote reservoir buckets are $5 for the plastic, little more for nice billet ones. 

I mean, don't get irritated at me.  I'm just trying to help. 
Finances are a b!tch. 
When mine are a little better, I'm putting the same MC on my Versys.  It only has two-pot calipers like the GS, though one on each side.  After SS lines. 
I'll never switch to wave rotors, because I don't like locking the front wheel.  Just the rear.   

Quote from: Homer on July 08, 2010, 01:39:33 PM
I mean, don't get irritated at me.  I'm just trying to help.  
Finances are a b!tch.  
When mine are a little better, I'm putting the same MC on my Versys.  It only has two-pot calipers like the GS, though one on each side.  After SS lines.  
I'll never switch to wave rotors, because I don't like locking the front wheel.  Just the rear.  

im not irritated at all! =D i find most of your posts extremely on-point and helpful or just plain enjoyable.
i have to get ready to pay for school come fall, and i am currently sitting at NO money left (horrible spending habits) so i want to work with what i have. was just taking a random gander at future prospective upgrades.
considering im keeping the front end rstock, it DOES seem that a different MC would be a better choice than the caliper itself if i were to have only one of them changed.

and true, i could sell the current MC once i get the new one working right.

but if i get the new MC, do they all (suzuki sportbikes) share the same size bolt for the banjo fitting on the master cylinder? will my brake line's banjo (made for the GS) work with the gsxr master cylinder?

also: would any gsxr MC work? which would be preferred?

Changing the MC would affect the way the brake feels. Changing the caliper will affect the way the brakes perform.

ok. that's understandable as well.

so.. wait a few months and get everything! haha xD

this makes me wonder if i should just piece together an entire front end or not >__<

I respect your cost/benefit analysis. 
And, no, frustratingly, they don't all share the same banjo bolt.  Same SIZE bolt, different thread count.  Some fine, some coarse.  Solution I found was to take advantage of my local CycleWorld's return policy and easily-distracted/underpaid staff. 
It's just another hydraulic system providing mechanical leverage where linkages are undesirable.  The pump (MC) upgrades your grip force, transmits it through the lines, and provides it to the calipers which transmit it into clamping force by way of friction.  Better calipers provide more friction, but only to the degree of the force transmitted to them. 

Whatcha gonna study?  Big school, little school? 

The calipers actually flex as the brakes are applied. As they flex, braking power is lost, and feel is compromised. The newer calipers are significantly stronger than the old calipers.

on the billion year plan at CSUF just trying to get a bachelor's. it's a vicious cycle: i go to school in hopes of a better paying job, so i work full time to pay for school, but then i can't school full-time because im working. (that and i still wouldnt be able to afford full time tuition on my current salary xD) so long term i pay more, but short term i pay less. living from paycheck to paycheck sucks xP
but at least im happy? haha


anyways. back to thinking out loud. since this has pretty much become a front end evaluation (at least in my mind) i feel like working with what i have/paying a minimal amount of additional money to optimize the current setup.
i am 5'8, 230 (yeah i know im huge)
once all the parts are together im going to redo my front-end to the following specs:
forks: (will be swapping out the fork oil seals soon)
currently > progressive springs, no spacer, stock fork oil and oil level

future > progressive springs, 1 inch spacer, 20w oil at the progressive-suggested (i think it's 140mm?)

brakes:
currently > 89 MC with 89 caliper and stock rotor

future > gsxr radial MC with SV caliper and stock rotor.

how's that sound? haha considering my height, weight, and crazy so cal riding conditions (for anyone in so cal, i drive the 405, 22, 55, and 91 all the time.  also live primarily in westminster-Little Saigon area. anyone who's from around here knows damn well how crappy these areas are for driving, nevertheless riding) =P

seeing as how this is my first bike to play with and adjust, i like getting help from everyone on the site and appreciate it. especially since everyone here is familiar with the GS, it's a better comparison than when i ride the other bikes i have around me (09 zx6r, 09 gsxr750, 06 cbr600rr, 08 cbr1000rr)

i cant really compare the feel of those bikes to mine because, well, theyre completely different bikes. and i just dont have enough knowhow of what is "right" to know what's "wrong" with my bike.

end note: i really do love my bike.

Quote from: burning1 on July 08, 2010, 05:03:37 PM
The calipers actually flex as the brakes are applied. As they flex, braking power is lost, and feel is compromised. The newer calipers are significantly stronger than the old calipers.

That is correct.  And we're awesome for not fighting.    

Pandy, bro, I know you love this bike.  Especially now that it's back on the road.  
But, please, please save your money.  
The more you spend on upgrading this thing, the further you get from something you WON'T NEED TO UPGRADE.  

Edit:
Oh, geez.  I'm gonna get yelled at for sounding snooty, again, aren't I?
All I'm saying is : look how hard you're TRYING to afford upgrading this bike.  Well, imagine if you tried just as hard to upgrade the entire thing.  You are worth it, you know...

I have an 89 that I race.  Stock caliper and disc but with braided line and ebc hh race pads.  I have no problem bringing the back end up with one finger under the only hard braking corner we have at my local track.  I think it all comes down to feel, and what you feel comfortable with.  I don't know that you would feel a huge difference upgrading the parts.  Try the braided line and upgraded pads with new fluid and see how that works for you before you spend money on a new caliper and or disc...just my 2 cents worth!  

I know I probably shouldn't put too much into it. so since I have the lines I'll be doing those first. And the ebc hh pads are good? I don't know the rating system for brakes xD

Haha what a progression. Back to using everything I already have. Which is actually the better choice at the end of it all eh friends? Haha i'll try cleaning and lubing my calipers, new pads, new fluids, and the braided lines.

Thanks to all who allow people like me to think in circles haha

And homer, you won't get any lip from me. Some people just don't see things as happily as others.

fastedmiami,

Are you having any problems with abnormal wear? I've been going through brake parts like crazy on my 93.

If this freshershest-thread-ever gets spoiled by petty fighting, I'm gonna be so mad.  

question!

Homer stated he had the gsxr RADIAL master cylinder. what's the difference between a "radial" master cylinder and the stock master cylinders on our bikes? (and what type of master cylinder is ours considered to be?)

never knew there were different classifications of master cylinders so i'm just wondering

Cylinder and piston poke out from the handlebar, like spokes on a wheel.  "Radially" mounted. 
Instead of being parallel to the grip. 

Radial calipers have the mounting bolts in the same fashion.  The heads are at the top of the calipers, radial to the hub, pointing toward the tire like spokes. 
They're stiffer that way.  Like Burning mentioned. 
And, yes, you can mix/match them. 

so after taking some time, i will try the more obvious/necessary paths first.

i need a new front rotor, and new pads. can anyone point me in the direction of the caliper rebuild kit for the front caliper of an 89? i feel like if im changing things out i might as well clean up the caliper with new stuff too.

brake pads
brake rotor
possibly caliper rebuild kit?
and master cylinder rebuild kit?

anyone suggest where decent prices can be found for these parts? im local to southern california.