We all love riding our bikes in the summer, racking up the miles, tackling twisty corners – maybe even doing a few laps on a track day? If we see a bunch of bikes on the street, we all admire the work and effort that has gone into making each one individual to its rider – we see new exhaust systems, new wheels, different bodywork and the latest tires from all the top brands. A quick stop, then get back on the road and hit the gas for your next adrenaline rush! However, there are some products or updates that we don’t notice…
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the best motorcycle brake upgrades that will add serious performance to your next ride.
We all pay attention to the chic and love the speed, maneuverability and thrill of riding a motorcycle; but when was the last time you stopped to pay attention to your bike’s brakes? Some of us will have these, but for many of us they only get noticed when we get an MOT recommendation or the guy who fits our tires tells us they need to be replaced.
Let’s face it: we all need brakes! It’s good to get out on the road and turn on the taps every now and then, but we need to make sure we can stop – the same goes for the track! In fact, a few brake upgrades could save us a few seconds on a lap! We need to make sure our brakes are working properly and give them as much love and attention as we do the rest of our bike!
Motorcycle brake discs
Besides brake pads, brake rotors are the most important components of your braking system! With the exception of older smaller bikes, which may have had drum brakes at the front, almost all modern bikes now have disc brakes (some smaller machines may only have front brakes).
Disc brakes have come a long way since the advent of fixed rotors and sliding calipers – most bikes these days tend to use floating discs and fixed calipers – floating discs can avoid disc warping and reduce heat transfer to the wheel hub. Brake disc designs have also come a long way since the introduction of disc brakes on motorcycles, from the wavy disc design of Galfer or Armstrong to a more traditional disc design such as the Brembo Serie Oro or EBC X-Series. If you want something in between, then maybe an EBC X Series contour disc? Not a full wave design, but a little more interesting than the standard round disc.
Although motorcycle brake design has improved greatly in recent years, they still need to be well maintained: a set of rotors that are used properly, maintained, and mated to the correct pads can successfully go through two or three sets of pads before replacing them. things to consider… (Obviously in some cases you will have to replace the discs before they wear out – for example if they become warped, discolored due to too much heat, etc.) If you have a dual disc fitted to the front of the bike and you need to replace them, then you should replace both discs at the same time to avoid problems with brake performance or balance that could make the bike unsafe when braking.
Brake pads for motorcycles
Brake pads are probably the most important component of your motorcycle’s braking system. We may have the best rims, trick levers, etc. in the world, but if our pads don’t work, we won’t stop! Most of us will change pads on our bike at some point while we own it, and it’s important to find pads that work best for our type of bike, as well as our type of riding. Most brake pads (road or track) can be divided into two types: sintered brake pads and organic brake pads.
Sintered brake pads, such as EBC HH or Brembo Sintered Road Pads, are probably the most popular type of brake pad (over 90% of all new bikes now have sintered brake pads as OEM equipment). Sintered brake pads perform in a wide range of operating conditions and can handle almost anything a driver can throw at them.
Sintered pads are created by combining metal particles into pad friction material using high temperatures and pressure. These particles in turn create a compound that has high consistency both hot and cold and provides good initial adhesion. Sintered brake pads can withstand a lot of heat from prolonged or heavy brake use and will not fade as much as non-sintered pads. They also last longer than unsintered pads because they are very wear-resistant. The only downside to performance is that they cause more wear on the brake rotors! Race or track day sintered pads like the SBS Racing Sintered Pads provide amazing stopping power in the wet or dry while also giving the rider excellent feel and short support. Due to higher brake temperatures on the track, these pads have a ceramic base to reduce fade.
Non-sintered pads such as Armstrong GG Organic Compound or Brembo Ceramic Road pads – As the name suggests, the pad compound is much softer than sintered brake pads and many people prefer these pads for several reasons… Organic brake pads give the rider a more “progressive” feel when braking and does not have as much initial grip as a sintered brake pad – this can offer the rider better control and lower speeds, as well as feeling much more rider friendly.
Because they are softer than sintered pads, they are also easier on the brake rotors, produce less brake dust and are excellent value for money as they are cheaper than similar sintered pads. Just like sintered brake pads, they also have their downsides! Their softer composition means they wear out much faster, are not as resistant to heat, and won’t reach their full potential if they get too hot.
There is a tablet for each of us, all that remains is to choose the right one! Generally, organic pads are more suitable for mid-power commuter bikes and scooters, while most bikes of 600cc and above are suitable for sintered brake pads due to the power and weight of the machines.
Brake fluids
Braided Brake Lines
Your standard rubber hose is replaced with a hose with a stainless steel outer braid to prevent hoses from expanding, and a low-friction PTFE interior that promotes fluid flow and reduces wear over time – significantly reducing brake wear, as well as corrosion and abrasion. resistance – but more importantly, braided lines eliminate the soft feel and give us a reliable and responsive brake lever that allows your rotors and pads to perform correctly and increases your confidence in them.
Most braided brake line kits are less expensive than OEM brake lines, come with a lifetime warranty* (*for as long as you own the vehicle), and can also be a nice style upgrade. All kits we sell include stainless steel banjos and bolts that won’t corrode over time, and most kits are available in a wide range of colored covers, allowing you to personalize your bike.
So, let’s go! It’s not the most interesting topic to talk about or the most interesting product to look at, but we hope you’ll agree that the brakes on your motorcycle are just as important as speed upgrades, and that we’ve helped a little explain what makes your brakes work, how the different options work – what motorcycle brake modifications are available and what to look for!
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