Seven tips on the brakes of the Superbike World Championship 2017

2/21/2017

A dash of carbon, plenty of steel and aluminium and a sprinkle of magnesium

Gentlemen start your engines, time to hit the track. The Superbike World Championship is about to begin and we cannot wait.

Seven motorcycle manufacturers that face-off are the exception in modern motorcycling and are sure to guarantee entertainment for everybody.

This is also due to the new regulations that should increase overtakes and make braking systems even more efficient.

1) A ban on carbon for discs but not 100%

Compared to MotoGP which employs discs in carbon, Superbike expressly provides for the use of steel discs.

In fact 2017 Regulation introduces a limitation on the use of carbon to no more than 2 percent of the total weight of the disc.

Identical to MotoGP is instead the prohibition of using beryllium for the manufacture of calipers: in both cases, billet machined monobloc calipers are employed.

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The power and precision of MotoGP

Brembo High Performance brake calipers combine unrivalled stability with MotoGP levels of braking performance. Manufactured using specific technologies for each model, these calipers are extremely stiff under stress, ensuring precise and consistent braking performance.
The Brembo High Performance range offers the most discerning motorcyclists a choice of three front caliper lines (two-piece billet components, monoblock components and monoblock billet components) and one rear caliper line to cater fully for even the most extreme requisites.

2) Small is wonderful

Unlike MotoGP, which alternates discs measuring 320 mm and 340 mm, Superbike riders can choose between discs measuring 328 mm and 336 mm.

Those that are more gentle on the brakes prefer discs with a smaller diameter and thus having a decisive advantage in terms of weight.

While those pounding the brakes can exert a higher pressure but pay for it in terms of mass. Disc thickness is also lower for Superbike: between 6.5 to 7.1 millimetre.

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The essence of Brembo technology

Brembo High Performance discs are designed and tested to work best in conjunction with specific pads and combine consistent performance in extreme usage with superlative lightness. In addition to substantially increasing brake power, the materials and unique manufacturing processes used also ensure absolute consistency and extreme resistance to prolonged thermo-mechanical stress.

3) The double grid multiplies braking to the limit

Starting this year the starting grid of Race2 has been inverted: the winner of Race 1 will start from the last position of the third row and the runner up of Race 1 will start from the centre position of the third row and the third place of Race 1 will start from the first position in the third row.

The front row will be reserved instead for the 4th, 5th and 6th places of Race 1. The second row is reserved for the 7th, 8th and 9th ranked of Race 1.

As is obvious, considering the 9 meters between each row, the "stronger" pilots cannot immediately breakaway but will have to sweat it out to climb to the first positions.

Assuming that the bikes have similar power, the only way is to increase the depth of bend-braking section compared to the pilots that precede them.

4) You can count on Brembo for this

Riders who have used Brembo brakes have won 25 of the World Superbike editions, including the last 9.

In the last two seasons the bikes with Brembo brakes have won 51 of 52 races disputed and have earned 25 of 26 pole positions assigned.

No wonder then that 17 of the 21 riders who have registered for the 2017 World Championship, i.e. 81 percent of the total, use Brembo braking systems.

5) We test them on the track, we take them to the road.

For Brembo competitions are the most conclusive test to verify the quality of new techniques and the effectiveness of new materials solutions.

The ultimate goal of these experiments to transfer production to the road and to improve the driving experience of those who use the bike every day.

It is no coincidence that several prestigious companies such as Ducati, Kawasaki and Aprilia have appreciated the quality of the Brembo systems in the World Superbike and then were asked to produce the brakes for their flagship road models.

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Record-breaking performance, durability and safety

Pads with the Brembo Racing Z04 compound, used in the World Superbike and Supersport Championships and now available for street bike applications. The Brembo high performance brake pad range was developed exclusively for racing and designed to offer unparalleled performance in the most demanding race conditions: with greater braking control, greater system stability, increased braking power, outstanding resistance to high temperatures and reduced wear.

6) The B-Pad

Using the same component used by a race bike without being professional drivers is a unique opportunity that really takes the pole position.

The exception is the Brembo Z04 pads used in Superbike and Supersport races and commercially available also for fans ( http://moto.brembo.com ) who like to run on the track with their own bike.

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CLICK, CONFIGURE, SELECT!

Find out which Brembo Master Cylinders are available for your bike and where you can purchase them.
Brembo offers a wide range of radial master cylinders and adjustable levers to replace and enhance the original system.

7) Let's not forget about wheels

Many are unaware that the Brembo Group is also a prestigious brand specializing in the production of light alloy wheels.

If you have not yet figured it out we are talking about Marchesini, famous throughout the world for their ability to combine lightness and performance, stiffness and low inertia rolling, without sacrificing reliability.

The forged magnesium Marchesini rims save the World Superbike vehicle weight, which aids handling, especially when changing direction.

That is why it is no coincidence that they are used by Rea, Sykes, Davies, Melandri, Bradl, Hayden and other 6 pilots.