Calipers are the clamp-like components on hydraulic brake systems that force the brake pads against the brake disc in order to slow the bike down.  The caliper is operated when the brake lever is pumped, which causes brake fluid to flood into the brake system forcing the caliper to squeeze the brake pads against the discs.  The calipers are an essential part of the hydraulic disc braking system found on most modern motorcycles. Brake calipers can be upgraded with a number of superior aftermarket parts such as Brembo calipers and Brembo caliper covers.

 

 

There are two basic types of brake calipers which are known as floating or fixed.  The floating caliper (also known as a sliding caliper) moves along a track within its support structure and is the most common option as it combines durability and affordability. The fixed caliper does not move and although it is more expensive to make and maintain, this type of caliper is regarded as being much smoother and more efficient than the floating versions and so are typically used on luxury, high performance brake systems.  When you are choosing an aftermarket caliper, Brembo can offer a wide range of high quality options for all kinds of motorbikes.

 

 

You can get customized front and rear calipers which can suit specific requirements for your bike. For example if you want to race a performance bike on the track it is a good idea to replace the calipers and discs with lighter weight aluminium versions which can reduce overall weight and increase performance.  You may also want to consider fitting high performance braking systems that offer superior clamping power for more responsive and effective braking.  You can get a number of Brembo rear caliper aftermarket options which can help you to set up your bike to your individual requirements.

 

 

Caliper covers provide a sleek, sporty look to your braking system and can help to transform your bike into a stunning race machine. Caliper covers can also protect this part of the braking system from dirt and grime. You do need to choose high quality covers such as Brembo caliper covers which are made from temperature resistant materials. The brake system gets very hot, particularly on high performance bikes and cheap plastic caliper covers will melt and warp and this could ruin your brake disc and brake pads.

 

 

Brake calipers are made from highly durable materials and in most cases will last longer than you will probably own the bike for.  However if they are not maintained properly, braking systems can wear quickly and this could mean the caliper will need replacing.  If you hear a grinding or screeching noise when you brake or the lever feels very unresponsive you need to check the brake pads, calipers and brake discs carefully.  You can get some great replacement Brembo calipers and Brembo discs which will also upgrade your braking system.  It is also a good idea to fit some Brembo caliper covers as well, as these can help to reduce wear and will also make your bike look very sporty.

 

 

The rear brake is really there to balance the bike when stopping, as the full braking power comes from the powerful front brakes.  This means that most riders barely use the rear braking system and so the parts will wear much less quickly than the front. For example the front brake systems typically need changing every 30,000 miles, whereas the back will last for at least 50,000 miles. You do need to check the rear brakes for corrosion regularly though as they are not used as often.

 

 

If you have a good working knowledge of motorbikes and braking systems then you can carry out regular services yourself.  Check the brake fluid (this will need replacing every 5,000 miles or so), brake pads, brake discs and brake calipers. However if you are not that familiar with braking systems it is a good idea to get a professional mechanic to service this part of your motorbike as it is one of the essential safety features and needs to be working perfectly at all times and in all conditions.  If you need to replace any parts or you just want to upgrade the system then you can get some top quality Brembo calipers and Brembo discs which combine durability and performance.

 

 

If you do need to replace your calipers then it is a good idea to spend a bit more and upgrade your braking system.  Having good, responsive brakes is essential to make you feel safe when you are out on the road or track and will also ensure you can stop quickly and effectively when you need to. Front Brembo calipers and Brembo rear caliper sets are a good quality choice and are also affordable.

 

 

If you do not use your motorbike very often then the discs and other brake components could rust.  This is a particular problem if you have ridden your bike on corrosive salted winter roads and not washed it properly before putting it away.  If your brake discs are only slightly rusted then give everything a good clean and then test the brakes carefully.  If they are still fully operational the slight rusting should just wear away when you start using the brakes again. However if the rust is significant then you will need to replace the brake discs and you could look at getting some upgraded Brembo discs and also new pads.

 

 

There are several things that can cause dust to form on your braking system components.  The most common reason is that metallic brake pads can give off fine particles of metal when they become very hot and these will stick to other brake components.  This can form a sticky residue that attracts road dirt which will make your discs and callipers look dusty.
 

 

 

 

 

It takes a lot of power to stop a motorbike when it is travelling at speed and the by-product of this is some pretty intense heat energy.  This will build up in your braking system in key components such as the calipers, discs and brake pads so it is essential that all these components have a high resistance to heat so that they can operate in extreme conditions and last a long time.  This is why it is important to upgrade your braking system if you are going to be racing your bike as the short bursts of speed and constant braking does not allow the discs and calipers to cool down as they would in normal conditions.  Buy Brembo brakes and Brembo clutch systems as these have been engineered to withstand all the extreme conditions of high performance riding.

 

 

Brake pads are an essential part of the braking system and you will need to look for those products that offer stability under pressure and high resistance to extreme temperatures.  Good brake pads have a thermal barrier between the pad and the hydraulics (typically made from ceramics) and will be able to provide constant friction in any condition whether hot/cold or wet/dry.  Economy pads are cheap but they wear very quickly and will not provide the performance you need so it is important to spend a bit more on good quality pads.  You can get some great Brembo brake kits that will provide you with everything you need to upgrade your brakes.

 

 

Basically there are two main types of brake pads on the market; organic (non asbestos) brakes and sinter pads.  Organic pads are made from a mix of fibres such as rubber, glass, carbon, Kevlar and resins.  These have a small quantity of metal and are one of the most commonly used brake pads on the market.  Organic brake pads offer high thermal performance (up to 800 degree C) and low brake disc wear but they are created from a softer compound than sinter pads so will not last as long.  Sinter pads have a high metal content and heat quickly to offer fast, powerful braking in most conditions.  Sinter pads respond well to extreme temperatures and offer higher friction levels in both wet and dry conditions.  However they can wear brake discs more quickly and are prone to corrosion.  As a general rule if you have steel brake discs sinter pads are the better option and if you have cast iron discs organic brakes are more suitable.

 

 

Brake fade is when your brakes stop working efficiently.  This can happen for a number of reasons and can even affect brand new brake systems.  For example when brake pads are first bedding in you can experience ‘green fade’ which is when the gases caused by burnt resin are trapped between the pads and disc.  This stops the brakes from perform0ing so you do need to try and avoid braking harshly until new pads are bedded in.  You can also get glazing which can cause brake fade. This is when resins from the pad soften then solidify on the surface of the pads once they cool. This forms a slick glaze on the surface of the pad which will not provide the right level of friction for braking effectively.

 

 

Many people blame brake pads for squealing noises but in most cases this is caused by loud vibrations that are occurring between the pad and the disc.  This is usually because the pads cannot move freely in the caliper so the metal parts are grinding together.  Check that all the braking system parts are correctly fitted and there are no excessive levels of dust or glazing which could be causing the squealing.  You may need to replace some components if you discover they have become worn and the Brembo brakes Australia range is a good place to look for upgrade parts.

 

 

You can get some great Brembo folding brake/clutch lever kit options and these are useful for track and off-road bikes as they are hinged to prevent damage in the event of a fall.  They also offer superior adjustment for the most comfortable positioning.

 

 

You can clean any brake system using a special brake cleaning fluid.  This formula will be designed to remove all the salt, dirt and grime from your brakes without stripping the lubrication completely from the metal parts.  This will help to keep your brake discs and calipers free from corrosive elements and ensure your brakes are operating at optimum performance levels.

 

 

Soft brake levers can be caused by a number of problems.  Firstly you need to check if the lever needs adjusting as it may have shaken loose.  If the brakes feel spongy then this could indicate that air has crept into the hydraulic systems.  You could try bleeding the brakes through if you have a good level of experience with braking systems or alternatively take it to a garage. 

 

 

If you have just bled your brakes or have not used your bike for a while then you need to check your brakes before you use your bike again.  This is a very important safety procedure.  Firstly put the bike near a gentle incline (with nothing behind you), put into neutral and turn the engine on.  Check the rear brake by pressing down on the pedal and make sure it feels firm and not spongy.  Roll the bike gently backwards and make sure the brake engages and stops you.  Now try the front brake in the same way.  Turn the engine off and carefully inspect all the pads, discs and callipers for signs of wear or leaking brake fluid.  If you do spot any problems then you can get some good Brembo brake kits available for upgrading your motorbike braking systems.

 

 

 

 

Other Brembo Products

 

Brembo provide a full range of brake pads for all kinds of OE callipers and motorbikes.  This manufacturer is a great choice for high quality, high performance aftermarket parts and there are some great Brembo motorcycle braking system parts available at affordable prices.

 

 

Brembo provide two main types of brake pads.  The Street Bike pad is made from a highly durable carbon-ceramic compound that offers good performance in all road conditions.  This high grade pad is ideal for modern sportsbikes and can be used with both steel and cast iron discs.   Brembo sport pads are designed specifically for the demanding conditions of the race track and offer excellent friction stability at extreme temperatures.  This pad is crafted from a superior carbon-ceramic compound that can offer excellent stopping power.

 

 

You can get dirt bike Brembo kit options including full braking systems. Two special compounds (SD and SX) are used for off-road Brembo brake pads and this can perform under the toughest conditions including water, abrasive sand and mud.  The SD compound is ideal for modulated braking for enduro and cross country use and the SX compound is ideal for aggressive braking for fast paced motocross and supermoto racing.

 

 

There are several different Brembo kit options for braking systems.  These will contain all you need to upgrade your braking system such as calipers, mounting brackets, discs, pads, hose, fixings and fluid. The performance Brembo kit options will be manufactured from superior materials such as carbon-ceramics (pads) and high grade aluminium (calipers and discs).

 

 

Brembo make braking system parts that will fit onto most motorcycles.  This brand has also been chosen to equip many new models from top bike manufacturers including the Triumph Speed Triple, BMW HP2 Sport, Augusta Brutale 910R and many more.  You can find out which Brembo motorcycle options there are by asking in your local dealer or looking at the manufacturer’s websites.

 

 

Brembo motorcycle braking systems are very durable but will need regular maintenance to ensure optimum performance and life.  You do need to inspect discs and brake pads regularly for any glazing or signs of wear. You will need to change pads over when they reach around 30% of the pad remaining or if significant surface glazing has occurred.  After heavy use you may see some slight surface grazing on the discs.  This will not be a problem but you do need to replace the discs if any of the grazing turns into surface cracks.

 

 

High performance brake discs are typically larger in diameter than standard discs and most designs are ventilated with cooling vanes in order to draw air through the centre of the disc.  This is because the constant and heavy braking builds up a lot more heat than in normal road conditions.  They can also be drilled or grooved to help disperse gases that can build up on the surface that can interfere with braking.  Brembo motorcycle race discs are also much lighter in weight than normal street discs and this translates to increased performance.   There are several different styles of performance brake discs on the market including:
• Grooved discs – grooves are designed to improve the cleaning of the pad surface.  This can provide a more consistent braking performance in all conditions.  Grooved discs can also have a longer life than other designs.
• Radius Cross Drilled Discs – these can improve ‘feel’ and are a good choice for heavy braking scenarios.  However they are less resistant to cracking than plain or grooved discs.

 

 

Brembo manufacture a wide range of OE (original equipment) components including full braking and clutch systems for the powersports industry including motorcycles, scooters, karts, ATVs and even snowmobiles.   Brembo motorcycle parts are used by many big names in the motorcycle industry including street bike, race bikes and off-road manufacturers such as Ducati, KTM and BMW.  Brembo manufacture some of the best brake components in the world with a high spec standard ideal for competitive sports environments. 

 

 

If you have spent out on upgrading to a Brembo sport braking system then it is a good idea to carry out regular maintenance to make sure it remains in top condition.  Brakes are usually trouble-free and reliable but if you ride in tough off-road conditions or throughout the winter on salted roads then you will need to take extra care of your bike and the braking system.  Firstly remember to clean you bike down thoroughly after use on muddy, sandy or salty conditions otherwise corrosive elements will be left to attack vital components on your bike such as the brake disc, pads and calipers.  These can be expensive to keep replacing so it is important to look after them. Depending on the model of bike you will probably need to change the brake fluid every 5 years if you are a normal rider, but competitive riders may need to do this more often to ensure maximum performance.  Bleeding brake systems is a tricky job and can go wrong easily if you are not sure what you are doing.  If you have never bled brakes before then take it to a proper mechanic.  If you end up with air in the brake lines this can turn from a routine job into something much more expensive.

 

 

If you are using your bike on the track then your Brembo braking system will be getting exposed to some extreme temperatures with the fast and repetitive heavy braking you will be doing.  It is a good idea to upgrade from standard DOT 3 brake fluid to a DOT 4 or one of the special highly refined performance grade fluids.  These will have a higher boiling point (over 300 degrees C in most cases) and will be able to provide more constant and responsive braking in most conditions.