At Misano, MotoGP and SBK are level in terms of the number of throttle-off moments

8/30/2022

A brief analysis of the use of the Brembo master cylinders on the track named after Simoncelli and on road bikes

For MotoGP, this is the second appointment of the season in Italy after Mugello back in May. In the last two years, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli has hosted 4 GP races won by 4 different riders, but this year it’s once again home to one single race. According to the Brembo technicians who work closely with all the MotoGP World Championship riders, this is a moderately demanding circuit for the brakes.

On a difficulty index scale of 1 to 6, it earned a 4 , despite the absence of straight sections longer than 530 meters (580 yards) making it impossible to exceed 300 km/h (186 mph). This means multiple braking points, but only 3 of them call for a deceleration of at least 100 km/h (62 mph).

No friction or locking with the Brembo radial master cylinder for MotoGP

All 24 MotoGP riders use the Brembo radial master cylinder. The strength of the fingers on the lever and the strength of the lever itself on the piston both move in the same direction - i.e. radially with regard to the point where the cylinder is fastened to the handlebar - without generating friction or locking. This ensures that no energy is wasted.

Brembo filed the first radial master cylinder patent way back in 1985. It was designed to meet racing needs, and especially the need for smaller dimensions. It was fitted on Eddie Lawson’s Yamaha YZR OW the year after, and that was the very year he won the World Championship in the 500cc class.

MotoGP technology for road bikes too 

Drawing inspiration from its extensive experience in MotoGP, Brembo has created the R19RCS Corsa Corta radial master cylinder, perfect for free-time riders, whether on the road or the track. One of its particular characteristics is that the rider can adjust the bite point at 3 different levels.

In other words, riders can regulate the inactive braking phase, deciding when the braking system should start to apply pressure according to their own riding style or the road or weather conditions. With the R19RCS Corsa Corta, it’s also possible to set the working wheelbase to improve the way the bike feels for the rider, who - depending on the road conditions, weather and route - can choose the best set-up.

Want to know more? Find out about the advantages and use of the Brembo R19RCS Corsa Corta.

Two extra throttle-off moments compared with the Superbike race 

On 10 bends of the Misano track, MotoGP riders use their brakes for 29 seconds per lap, which means 31 percent of the whole race. Also for Superbike, held here in June, there are just 10 braking points but in that case the top speeds are around 30 km/h (19 mph) lower and lap times are more than 3 seconds longer.

The three hardest braking sections on the circuit are the same for both categories however, and they’re all within the first 8 bends. Apart from turn 8, turn 1 also has a braking section of at least 200 meters (219 yards), with a deceleration of 1.5 G. The values on turn 4 are worth a mention too: the load on the Brembo brake lever is 5 kg (11 lb), while the brake fluid pressure reaches 10.7 bar.

225 meters (246 yards) and 4.8 seconds 

Of the 10 braking sections at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, 2 are classified as demanding on the brakes, 4 are of medium difficulty and the remaining 4 are not very demanding.

The hardest braking point for the MotoGP bikes is at turn 8: the prototypes go from 294 km/h (183 mph) to 79 (49) in 4.8 seconds, over a distance of 225 meters (246 yards). To do this, the riders apply a load of 5.8 kg (13 lb) to the brake lever and are subjected to a deceleration of 1.5 G, with the brake fluid pressure soaring to 12.4 bar.

And what about the video games?

To flawlessly handle the 8th turn of the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in the MotoGP video game, it’s vital to take your bearings. Start braking as soon as you’ve passed under the advertising bridge, before going into sixth gear. Stay on the right and drop gradually down to second, but only lean down as you approach the last few meters. Your left elbow will touch the curb, and then you can start accelerating again.