Powerful and beautiful. When you talk about motorcycles, there is no point beating around the bush. Horsepower and torque always have an irresistible attraction for enthusiasts.

 

Nevertheless, you can have the most powerful bike in the world, but unless all you're going to do is drag race, the brakes are just as important, not only for safety, but also for performance. The MotoGP riders know this and it is not by chance that they have unanimously relied in Brembo braking systems since 2016.

 

In fact, all the margin gained in acceleration thanks to the engine power, can go up in smoke with a braking system that isn't up to the task and which could lead to a longer braking distance.

 

Aware of all these critical issues, the most important motorcycle manufacturers in the world use Brembo braking systems as original equipment on their flagship models. This is confirmed by the fact that the top 5 most powerful stock motorcycles in the world leave the factory with a Brembo braking system, adapted to their respective needs.

 

A combination that confirms the performance and reliability of Brembo brakes, even when they are dealing with the most powerful bikes in the world.

 

All that's left is to “get in the saddle” to find out which bikes are the five most powerful on the market and with which type of Brembo brakes they mount.

 

 

​5th Place: MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 1000 SERIE ORO (208 Horsepower)​

When the Brutale first came out, it redefined the meaning of the term "sport naked". The introduction of the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro set the bar even higher, exploiting all of Mv Agusta's experience in the World Superbike Championship. This edition, limited to 300 units, stands out for its many peculiarities that increased its power and reduced its weight: from the pistons with low friction segments to the brand-new engine, from the redesigned combustion chamber to the carbon fiber wheels, not to mention the billet elements. The final result is a bike with a dry weight of 405.7 lbs and a 208 HP engine with maximum torque of 115 Nm at 9,300 rpm. Mv Agusta was back to being intimidating.

 

Contributing to the new evolutionary step of the fastest sport naked in the world were also the technical solutions created by Brembo, first and foremost, the Stylema™​ caliper: compared to the calipers that came before it, Stylema™​ was lightened around pistons and pads, reducing the internal spaces occupied by the brake fluid, so that it would be more responsive. All without compromising in any way whatsoever the rigidity of the caliper itself and therefore braking efficiency even with intensive use. On the Brutale 1000 Serie Oro, the Stylema™​ grips Brembo floating discs that are 320 mm in diameter and 5 mm thick, the ideal combination of braking power, and a radial brake master cylinder, also Brembo 16/21.

 

4th Place: BMW HP4 RACE (215 Horsepower)*

 

Presented at EICMA 2016 as a concept bike, the HP4 Race was later produced in a limited edition of only 750 units. The use of premium materials, the perfection of the craftsmanship, and the use of high-level components allowed BMW to create a true race-bred motorcycle, with no compromises. One of its distinctive features is the monocoque carbon frame weighing just 7.8 kg. The front and rear wheels, as well as the fairing, are also made of carbon, hiding an engine similar to the 6.2 and 7.2 specifications of the Endurance World Championship and Superbike World Championship. The power is 215 hp with a maximum torque of 120 Nm at 10,000 rpm for a weight of 171 kg with a full tank. Danke BMW.

To ensure maximum braking performance, Brembo used the most advanced racing components from the most prestigious championships: the GP4-PR caliper, steel T-Drive discs with a reduced braking band, Z04 racing pads, and the radial master cylinder made from billet, also used in Moto2. Derived from MotoGP calipers, the GP4-PR calipers are made from billet and feature four titanium pistons of different diameters (to maintain a constant friction coefficient) and seals developed for race motorcycles. The T-Drive discs on the HP4 Race stand out for their 8 T-shaped pins, ensuring more efficient torque transmission, offering excellent resistance in extreme use conditions.

 

*The BMW HP4 Race is a racing bike produced in 750 units, not homologated for street use, and intended for track use only. However, it is included in this ranking because the goal is to account for the braking systems used by the world’s most powerful production motorcycles (thus excluding prototypes or limited runs of a few dozen units), regardless of whether they are used on the street or track.

 

3rd Place: APRILIA RSV4 1100 FACTORY (217 Horsepower)

 

The first Aprilia motorcycle equipped with the 1078 cc V4 engine, the RSV4 1100 Factory represents the evolution of the RSV4 philosophy, the premium range that won 7 Superbike World Championships. The use of carbon wings, titanium for the exhaust, and forged aluminum alloy wheels allowed Aprilia engineers to keep the motorcycle's weight below 200 kg with a full tank. Thanks to an increased bore compared to the V4 1000, optimized intake valve timing, and longer gear ratios in fifth and sixth gears, the power reaches 217 hp with a maximum torque of 122 Nm at 11,000 rpm. Aprilia confirms its racing DNA.

 

In addition to its engine, the RSV4 1100 Factory is also advanced in terms of its chassis, thanks to collaboration with Brembo. The front uses dual 330 mm floating discs with stainless steel braking surfaces and aluminum flanges with 6 drag pins. Stylema™ monoblock calipers with radial mounting and 30 mm opposed 4-piston calipers act on these discs. These calipers feature two raised ribs, which serve both structural and design purposes, complemented by an air intake that connects to the upper rib. Brembo also supplies the radial master cylinder and the rear 2-piston 32 mm caliper.

 

2nd Place: DUCATI PANIGALE V4 R (221 Horsepower)

 

Developed in synergy with Ducati Corse, the Panigale V4 R reveals its racing soul in every aspect, from the engine performance to the chassis and aerodynamics. The 90° Desmosedici Stradale R V4 engine has a firing order that gives it a sound similar to the Desmosedici MotoGP. Thanks to a new forged steel crankshaft, aluminum pistons, and titanium connecting rods, the power reaches 221 hp with a maximum torque of 112 Nm at 11,500 rpm. The chassis is also lightweight, with a Front Frame and fairing that ensure better aerodynamics. The MotoGP-derived electronics also contribute to its success in the Superbike World Championship.

To reduce the weight of the Panigale V4 R, Ducati worked with Brembo to exclusively develop the Stylema™ caliper, which offers a 9% weight reduction compared to previous versions, improving cooling efficiency and maintaining consistent performance. These calipers work with 330 mm floating discs and a radial master cylinder, all made by Brembo.

 

*The Ducati Panigale V4 with 214.1 hp should also be ranked, but to avoid repeating models from the same family, we present only the best version. The Panigale V4 has the same braking specifications as the Panigale V4 R.

 

1st Place: KAWASAKI NINJA H2R (310 Horsepower)

 

Created with the collaboration of several Kawasaki divisions, the Ninja H2R stands out from its competitors for its use of a supercharged engine, a technology that seemed outdated. Thanks to a modification to the supercharger that provides greater boost pressure, the Ninja H2R reaches an incredible 310 hp, which increases to 326 hp with the pressurized airbox. This specially developed supercharger offers high efficiency across a wide range of engine speeds. The fairing is made of carbon fiber, and instead of mirrors, it features small wings.

 

To tame such a beast, Kawasaki chose the best: a pair of 330 mm semi-floating discs and Stylema™ calipers, both Brembo. Compared to the already excellent M50 calipers used on previous versions of the Ninja H2R, the Stylema™ aluminum calipers with 30 mm opposed 4 pistons offer a 9% weight reduction while maintaining rigidity, better cooling (brake fluid temperature reduced by up to 10%), and superior consistency in performance. For this motorcycle, Brembo also developed a specific friction material for this and other Kawasaki models in the Hypersport segment.

 

*The Kawasaki Ninja H2 with 231 hp could also be in this ranking, but to avoid models from the same family, we present only the best version. The Ninja H2 has the same braking specifications as the Ninja H2R.

 

CONCLUSIONS

 

It’s not only about how much horsepower your motorcycle has, but also how well the braking system is matched to that power: it’s no coincidence that all the 5 most powerful models in the world are equipped with Brembo brakes, and 4 out of 5 use Brembo Stylema™ calipers or a racing-derived caliper.

 

AND WHO IS OUTSIDE THE TOP 5?

 

For those who are not fortunate enough to own a bike with such powerful (braking) performance as the ones in this ranking, there is always the possibility of improving their bike by using Brembo High Performance products.

 

These products, leveraging Brembo’s exceptional technical expertise, allow riders to enhance the character and performance of their motorcycles with components that are track-ready.

 

For example, the Brembo RCS “Corsa Corta” radial master cylinder allows riders to choose between powerful or modulated braking depending on road conditions, weather, personal sensitivity, or the feeling they want with the bike.

 

The SuperSport and T-Drive lines offer floating discs made of steel braking bands and a machined aluminum bell: both are available in the same dimensions as the original equipment or even in larger sizes.

 

Finally, the Brembo High Performance range offers various lines of front and rear calipers for more demanding riders.