Brembo Calipers vs RC51s
12-12-2009 | 12:29 PM
#1
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SuperSport
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From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
Brembo Calipers vs RC51s
It would probably be a cry for attention to run these plates:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
And 916 calipers in place of the RC51s, right? Anyone have experience running a Ducati superbike side-by-side against a SH w/ the upgrade?
It;s so easy to debate this stuff when you're broke, isn't it?
R.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
And 916 calipers in place of the RC51s, right? Anyone have experience running a Ducati superbike side-by-side against a SH w/ the upgrade?
It;s so easy to debate this stuff when you're broke, isn't it?
R.
12-12-2009 | 01:02 PM
#3
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From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Well if you are running a RC51 front end you could always spring for this neat little kit:
These Brembo upgrade brake kits have been designed to give you similar braking performance to the brakes fitted to the majority of GP and World Superbikes. Many components come directly from the track. The discs are up to 320mm in diameter and manufactured from stainless steel with a high carbon content to increase friction. The CNC machined carriers are a work of art, machined from alloy billet and hard anodized. Kits include: 4 piston 4 pad calipers w/pads, front SS brake lines, high performance rotors, and front master cylinder.
$1245 from EMA BREMBO Performance brake kits - $1245.00
These Brembo upgrade brake kits have been designed to give you similar braking performance to the brakes fitted to the majority of GP and World Superbikes. Many components come directly from the track. The discs are up to 320mm in diameter and manufactured from stainless steel with a high carbon content to increase friction. The CNC machined carriers are a work of art, machined from alloy billet and hard anodized. Kits include: 4 piston 4 pad calipers w/pads, front SS brake lines, high performance rotors, and front master cylinder.
$1245 from EMA BREMBO Performance brake kits - $1245.00
12-12-2009 | 02:26 PM
#7
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SuperSport
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From: Las Vegas, NV
With the rc51 calipers it should be even more powerful.
Add this to the fact that our bikes aren't race bikes, they can be raced though, but you really don't need carbon rotors and brembo calipers.
12-12-2009 | 02:39 PM
#8
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SuperSport
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From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
I think irl there's probably little difference between the RC51s and the Brembos that appear on 916s, say. For me it comes down to cost and added weighs of the brackets. Strangely enough, it looks like 916 take offs go fairly cheaply on Ebay compared to RC51s...
The stock calipers have been debated here elsewhere, so I won't rehash. Personally I feel that OEM are good, but not great. With so many bolt-on calipers that are better, it's really a matter of looks anyhow. For pose value, are 6p GSXR calipers more bling than RC51 ones or Brembos? I don't know.
I always go for the best brakes I can afford and get to work, considering my utter lack of mechanical skills.
The stock calipers have been debated here elsewhere, so I won't rehash. Personally I feel that OEM are good, but not great. With so many bolt-on calipers that are better, it's really a matter of looks anyhow. For pose value, are 6p GSXR calipers more bling than RC51 ones or Brembos? I don't know.
I always go for the best brakes I can afford and get to work, considering my utter lack of mechanical skills.
12-12-2009 | 02:55 PM
#9
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From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Yes the RC calipers work very well as long as you upgrade the master cylinder.
You lost me here. Who said anything about a "race bike"? You are correct in the statement that a SH is not a race bike, hell it's not even all that good of a track day bike but good brakes are a benefit to any bike. Also where the hell did carbon rotors come from?
Last edited by 8541Hawk; 12-13-2009 at 08:40 PM.
12-12-2009 | 04:47 PM
#10
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Sorry to disagree but the stock set up sucks big time. There is a reason that upgrading the brakes is a very common mod.
Yes the RC calipers work very well as long as you upgrade the master cylinder.
Add this to the fact that our bikes aren't race bikes, they can be raced though, but you really don't need carbon rotors and brembo calipers.
Yes the RC calipers work very well as long as you upgrade the master cylinder.
Add this to the fact that our bikes aren't race bikes, they can be raced though, but you really don't need carbon rotors and brembo calipers.
12-12-2009 | 05:04 PM
#11
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Quoting a magazine and living with them in the real world is a much different thing.
How many miles have you put on the bike with the stock brakes?? You had the bike for what, 5 months? I have put at least 45-50k on the bike with the stock calipers before I switched them and I can tell you they suck.
How many miles have you put on the bike with the stock brakes?? You had the bike for what, 5 months? I have put at least 45-50k on the bike with the stock calipers before I switched them and I can tell you they suck.
12-12-2009 | 05:14 PM
#12
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you always think new stuff is a much bigger improvement than it is tho, just cos your stoked about it being new and you want to think that you spent a load of cash on something that is awesome and worth it
hell, a change could even be worse and just cos it feels different your mind thinks its better but sometimes it actually isnt!!!!
i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think.
hell, a change could even be worse and just cos it feels different your mind thinks its better but sometimes it actually isnt!!!!
i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think.
12-12-2009 | 05:27 PM
#13
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you always think new stuff is a much bigger improvement than it is tho, just cos your stoked about it being new and you want to think that you spent a load of cash on something that is awesome and worth it
hell, a change could even be worse and just cos it feels different your mind thinks its better but sometimes it actually isnt!!!!
i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think.
hell, a change could even be worse and just cos it feels different your mind thinks its better but sometimes it actually isnt!!!!
i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think.
I have run the upgraded set up for around 35k (yes my bike is rolling up on 80k) and while you are correct that some changes might degrade performance, upgrading the brakes does not fall into this category.
So you guys can assume all you want. I have years of experience with this change and there is a major difference to be had with this mod.
As for the spending a load of cash.... my whole set up (RC calipers and master cyl) ran a whole $70 so that argument has little to do with it.
12-12-2009 | 05:27 PM
#14
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well, I can tell you the set-up I am running now is light years ahead of the stock set-up (and second only to a 1098 Duc from the bikes I have tried in terms of power but with easier modulation). Whether anyone chooses to question that is their business but with over 125,000 km on the bike, I think I have a pretty good idea....
Last edited by mikstr; 12-12-2009 at 05:30 PM.
12-12-2009 | 05:36 PM
#15
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well, I can tell you the set-up I am running now is light years ahead of the stock set-up (and second only to a 1098 Duc from the bikes I have tried in terms of power but with easier modulation). Whether anyone chooses to question that is their business but with over 125,000 km on the bike, I think I have a pretty good idea....
12-12-2009 | 05:39 PM
#16
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well, you have until April or so to pull ahead as mine is in storage for winter.... MInd you caffeinracer had us both beat a few years back with obver 100K miles....
12-12-2009 | 06:02 PM
#17
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Squid
Joined: Oct 2009
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I owned a rc 51 before I bought this Superhawk. I also rode it on the track quite a bit. The brakes on the rc51 in stock form are superior to the vtr brakes in every way. I have not rode the vtr on the track but I can tell by riding it on the road they will fade quickly on the track. I also have a f4 that I used to race but just use it for track days now. I upgraded the brakes with steel brakelines and race brake pads. It was a big improvement. I never had a problem with the f4 brakes on the track. I will try this with the vtr. I already have the steel brakelines just need the pads and to install them. I figure it can only improve them.
12-12-2009 | 06:25 PM
#18
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The stock VTR calipers can be made to work well with good pads, but those choices are more limited than the choices for other calipers. Another reason for going with 929, 954, F4, F4i, 600RR, RC51 calipers is that current top notch brake pads like the Vesrah RJL can be gotten for them. Properly set up with good brake pads, the VTR will stop like it should have from the factory.
12-12-2009 | 11:31 PM
#19
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Well here is the problem, as I see it. Both you and Nick are going by assumptions, as neither of you have done any brake upgrades.
I have run the upgraded set up for around 35k (yes my bike is rolling up on 80k) and while you are correct that some changes might degrade performance, upgrading the brakes does not fall into this category.
So you guys can assume all you want. I have years of experience with this change and there is a major difference to be had with this mod.
As for the spending a load of cash.... my whole set up (RC calipers and master cyl) ran a whole $70 so that argument has little to do with it.
I have run the upgraded set up for around 35k (yes my bike is rolling up on 80k) and while you are correct that some changes might degrade performance, upgrading the brakes does not fall into this category.
So you guys can assume all you want. I have years of experience with this change and there is a major difference to be had with this mod.
As for the spending a load of cash.... my whole set up (RC calipers and master cyl) ran a whole $70 so that argument has little to do with it.
12-13-2009 | 06:24 AM
#20
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SuperBike
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From: thorold ontario
thats once. just like my old fox body mustang, it would stop great, once, after that good luck. having ridden a few ss bikes i can tell you that they have a much better feel and stop alot better than the vtr brakes ever did.
12-13-2009 | 09:10 AM
#22
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Well here is the problem, as I see it. Both you and Nick are going by assumptions, as neither of you have done any brake upgrades.
I have run the upgraded set up for around 35k (yes my bike is rolling up on 80k) and while you are correct that some changes might degrade performance, upgrading the brakes does not fall into this category.
So you guys can assume all you want. I have years of experience with this change and there is a major difference to be had with this mod.
As for the spending a load of cash.... my whole set up (RC calipers and master cyl) ran a whole $70 so that argument has little to do with it.
I have run the upgraded set up for around 35k (yes my bike is rolling up on 80k) and while you are correct that some changes might degrade performance, upgrading the brakes does not fall into this category.
So you guys can assume all you want. I have years of experience with this change and there is a major difference to be had with this mod.
As for the spending a load of cash.... my whole set up (RC calipers and master cyl) ran a whole $70 so that argument has little to do with it.
1st - who said i was assuming? you are the one assuming, that we are assuming. just cos i havent upgraded my superhawks brakes (YET THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU ACTUALLY READ MY POST I SAID IT WAS A GOOD MOD DONE RIGHT, JUST THAT SOMETIMES THE DIFFERENCE ISNT AS BIG AS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THINK) doesnt mean i havent in some way on nearly every other bike and car ive had....
2nd - obviously changing brakes does not degrade performance if you do it properly, but it can. putting the wrong calipers with the wrong master cylinder for example. or some calipers that you would think are better off a different bike but actually have smaller combined piston size or something.
3rd - again, you are the one who is assuming that we know nothing and you know everything
4th - $70 is enough cash to want a big difference, plus the time and effort you spend fitting it. also anything you do yourself you do have a big desire for it to be a good thing. a lot of it has to do with feel of the brakes too.
All im saying is, i bet if you did a controlled test on your bike before and after the change, it would be an improvement but maybe not as vast an improvement as you like to think.
12-13-2009 | 10:35 AM
#23
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what it comes down to is this. you can only stop as hard as traction will permit. either youre locking up the front tire or your going *** over tea kettle. but its achieving that point. do you really want a soft lever that you have to depress more than halfway to make the bike stop hard? and a brake setup that even when depressed hard will have a hard time lifting the tail? sure if youre new and havent developed the hand control yet. but id personally prefer to have a slightly stiffer lever, something that doesnt need to be pulled in half way to make me stop. just means i have to be a bit more careful. also fade comes into play. example, gsxr 750 4 pots vs the 1000 6 pots. really a personal preference on these. but from what im seeing guys who race prefer the 4 pots over the 6's. my understanding is that even if it has only 4 pistons it still holds more fluid and fades less. so guys seem to upgrade to the 4 pots. it really isnt about how well the bike can stop once but how well it can stop multiple times continuously
12-13-2009 | 11:33 AM
#24
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I think that's it exactly, Uchi. I don't feel like the stock calipers have much feel or feedback to them. I was surprised when I tested a F3 around the time I got the SH and found the old 2p brakes a bit better. This is just personal feeling, of course, and the CBR does weigh about 40lbs less than the VTR. My old M2 60 PM caliper stopped that bike much better than these OEM calipers on the SH...
I was running a GSXR 6p on my old Trident 900. (Same deal as the RC51 calipers on the VTR -- more or less a bolt-on.) They worked fine except in the wet, when they'd fade pretty badly. The six shooters were also quite a lot heavier than the four-piston ones.
Weird that modern Triumphs always get high marks for their 4p calipers, but I think they're just re-badged Tokicos like the Kwaks and GSXRs run.
I was running a GSXR 6p on my old Trident 900. (Same deal as the RC51 calipers on the VTR -- more or less a bolt-on.) They worked fine except in the wet, when they'd fade pretty badly. The six shooters were also quite a lot heavier than the four-piston ones.
Weird that modern Triumphs always get high marks for their 4p calipers, but I think they're just re-badged Tokicos like the Kwaks and GSXRs run.
12-13-2009 | 11:50 AM
#26
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Jesus Tap Dancing Christ you guys are damn funny..... but here you go....
So Nick did the bike come with upgraded calipers or did you change them?
The reason I ask is, If the bike came with them, how do you know how well the stock set up works? If you did change them, why? If the stock set up is so good why did you waste your money on them?
Here is what you said:
"i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think."
So you are saying something you haven't done isn't going to return much of a benefit for the cost or effort. Isn't that assuming on your part?? Sure you have done other bikes and cars but not the set up we are talking about so IMHO you are trying to argue something that you have no facts to back up.
And your point is???
Once again....Fail
I never said you guys know nothing, thanks for trying to put words in my mouth. I also never said I know everything. What I did say was I have done some extensive testing (and thanks for asking what I have done to qualify this as a major upgrade) and the data I have collected proves that the improvement is well worth the cost and effort.
Hell a set of front brake pads will set you back more than the complete brake system I picked up, so I don't think the cost was much at all. If I had not been able to prove the increase in brake performance, I would have pulled them and resold them ASAP.
Well let me ask you this?? You say " i bet" which to me means you assume the outcome but don't really know as you have no real world data to back it up. Is that correct or did I miss something?
I guess I'm with Mikstr on this. I have done many miles and a lot of testing on this bike. If you chose to question or berate someone who is trying to pass on a bit knowledge relating to "this" bike, so be it.
Have a nice day.
So Nick did the bike come with upgraded calipers or did you change them?
The reason I ask is, If the bike came with them, how do you know how well the stock set up works? If you did change them, why? If the stock set up is so good why did you waste your money on them?
just to reply to all your points
1st - who said i was assuming? you are the one assuming, that we are assuming. just cos i havent upgraded my superhawks brakes (YET THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU ACTUALLY READ MY POST I SAID IT WAS A GOOD MOD DONE RIGHT, JUST THAT SOMETIMES THE DIFFERENCE ISNT AS BIG AS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THINK) doesnt mean i havent in some way on nearly every other bike and car ive had....
1st - who said i was assuming? you are the one assuming, that we are assuming. just cos i havent upgraded my superhawks brakes (YET THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU ACTUALLY READ MY POST I SAID IT WAS A GOOD MOD DONE RIGHT, JUST THAT SOMETIMES THE DIFFERENCE ISNT AS BIG AS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THINK) doesnt mean i havent in some way on nearly every other bike and car ive had....
"i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think."
So you are saying something you haven't done isn't going to return much of a benefit for the cost or effort. Isn't that assuming on your part?? Sure you have done other bikes and cars but not the set up we are talking about so IMHO you are trying to argue something that you have no facts to back up.
2nd - obviously changing brakes does not degrade performance if you do it properly, but it can. putting the wrong calipers with the wrong master cylinder for example. or some calipers that you would think are better off a different bike but actually have smaller combined piston size or something.
I never said you guys know nothing, thanks for trying to put words in my mouth. I also never said I know everything. What I did say was I have done some extensive testing (and thanks for asking what I have done to qualify this as a major upgrade) and the data I have collected proves that the improvement is well worth the cost and effort.
I guess I'm with Mikstr on this. I have done many miles and a lot of testing on this bike. If you chose to question or berate someone who is trying to pass on a bit knowledge relating to "this" bike, so be it.
Have a nice day.
12-13-2009 | 12:44 PM
#28
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Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
I think that's it exactly, Uchi. I don't feel like the stock calipers have much feel or feedback to them. I was surprised when I tested a F3 around the time I got the SH and found the old 2p brakes a bit better. This is just personal feeling, of course, and the CBR does weigh about 40lbs less than the VTR. My old M2 60 PM caliper stopped that bike much better than these OEM calipers on the SH...
Upgrade the master cylinder alone and you will get a lot more feel from the stock calipers...
I can say without guessing, because I did the whole evolution thing... I upgraded with better pads, SS lines on the stock system... Then a larger M/C and stock calipers, then larger calipers and M/C... And finally a whole front end swap... And it got progressively better in both feel and performance...
With the setup I have now, it's very easy to lock the front... But you will never ever do it unless on purpose (or if you panic) as it's also extremely easy to modulate the brakes...
12-13-2009 | 08:08 PM
#29
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SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 731
From: Las Vegas, NV
Jesus Tap Dancing Christ you guys are damn funny..... but here you go....
So Nick did the bike come with upgraded calipers or did you change them?
The reason I ask is, If the bike came with them, how do you know how well the stock set up works? If you did change them, why? If the stock set up is so good why did you waste your money on them?
Here is what you said:
"i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think."
So you are saying something you haven't done isn't going to return much of a benefit for the cost or effort. Isn't that assuming on your part?? Sure you have done other bikes and cars but not the set up we are talking about so IMHO you are trying to argue something that you have no facts to back up.
And your point is???
Once again....Fail
I never said you guys know nothing, thanks for trying to put words in my mouth. I also never said I know everything. What I did say was I have done some extensive testing (and thanks for asking what I have done to qualify this as a major upgrade) and the data I have collected proves that the improvement is well worth the cost and effort.
Hell a set of front brake pads will set you back more than the complete brake system I picked up, so I don't think the cost was much at all. If I had not been able to prove the increase in brake performance, I would have pulled them and resold them ASAP.
Well let me ask you this?? You say " i bet" which to me means you assume the outcome but don't really know as you have no real world data to back it up. Is that correct or did I miss something?
I guess I'm with Mikstr on this. I have done many miles and a lot of testing on this bike. If you chose to question or berate someone who is trying to pass on a bit knowledge relating to "this" bike, so be it.
Have a nice day.
So Nick did the bike come with upgraded calipers or did you change them?
The reason I ask is, If the bike came with them, how do you know how well the stock set up works? If you did change them, why? If the stock set up is so good why did you waste your money on them?
Here is what you said:
"i want to upgrade my calipers though. im sure it will make an improvement, just not as vast an improvement as some people think."
So you are saying something you haven't done isn't going to return much of a benefit for the cost or effort. Isn't that assuming on your part?? Sure you have done other bikes and cars but not the set up we are talking about so IMHO you are trying to argue something that you have no facts to back up.
And your point is???
Once again....Fail
I never said you guys know nothing, thanks for trying to put words in my mouth. I also never said I know everything. What I did say was I have done some extensive testing (and thanks for asking what I have done to qualify this as a major upgrade) and the data I have collected proves that the improvement is well worth the cost and effort.
Hell a set of front brake pads will set you back more than the complete brake system I picked up, so I don't think the cost was much at all. If I had not been able to prove the increase in brake performance, I would have pulled them and resold them ASAP.
Well let me ask you this?? You say " i bet" which to me means you assume the outcome but don't really know as you have no real world data to back it up. Is that correct or did I miss something?
I guess I'm with Mikstr on this. I have done many miles and a lot of testing on this bike. If you chose to question or berate someone who is trying to pass on a bit knowledge relating to "this" bike, so be it.
Have a nice day.
12-13-2009 | 08:27 PM
#30
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
just to add some more, anyone whos ever driven a car with upgraded brakes knows what stock vs upgraded feels like. ive driven cars with big brembos on them and they stick you to the dash when you hit the brakes. but as mentioned above its the complete system that needs upgrading in order to take full advantage
