Brembo is the official partner of MotoGP for all of the series’ braking systems, and the company sheds some light on the science and technology that come together to stop the world’s fastest bikes.
Andrea Pellegrini walks the viewer through the ins and outs of a grand Prix braking system as he stands in front of the camera.
The braking systems used in MotoGP are really wild, and they continue to improve year after year in response to the increasing speed of motorcycles.
It is one thing to be able to bring your motorcycle to a stoppage from a speed of 200 miles per hour only once; it is entirely another challenge to be able to do this difficult task repeatedly during the duration of a high-stakes Grand Prix race.
As a result, GP motorcycles are equipped with cutting-edge technology rather than the kinds of things that regular people like you and I use on a daily basis.
Each team has the option of using a disc that is either lighter and more compact or discs that are larger in both mass and diameter.
The diameter of the rotors begins at 320 millimeters and gradually increases to 340 millimeters until reaching its maximum size of 355 millimeters.
Additionally, several masses are available, ranging from a normal mass to a high mass for each diameter.
Because there is more of that delicious carbon-ceramic material in discs with a higher mass, they often have a greater capacity to remove heat from their surroundings.
It would seem that the 320-millimeter discs are gradually losing popularity as a result of the decreasing number of teams who choose to use them.
Since motorcycles are growing quicker and faster, you will more often discover diameters ranging from 340 millimeters to 355 millimeters being used by GP teams.
When compared to units with a lower diameter, discs with a larger diameter are better able to withstand heat, and the increased size also provides greater leverage when the caliper is used to clamp down.
Pads are another key component, and teams have the option of selecting pads with either a regular mass or a high mass, as well as either more contact surface or less contact surface.
After that, you need to pay attention to the condition of your braking fluid.
Brembo equips its calipers with cooling fins and vented pistons, which together help prevent even the company’s highest-quality fluids from boiling.
Even the rear brakes aren’t ignored in MotoGP, as competitors make use of them to provide stability during the entering phase of corners.
Alternative rear brake levers are another option that racers may make use of, and even the rear discs are growing bigger as the sport becomes more popular.
Brembo is able to provide a versatile selection of alternatives for the operation of the rear brakes. These options allow the rear caliper to be actuated either by the right foot or by the left thumb by being pushed or pulled.
Because the configuration would differ from racer to racer, Brembo adapted their equipment to accommodate individual rider preferences.