Best Motorcycle Brake Upgrades | The Shop Manual

A spongy lever, poor feel, feeble power… these are just some issues riders may face with their bike’s brakes. Thankfully, a fix isn’t far away, and it might not even cost you anything. In this video, we’ll outline your options for improving brake function, from something as simple as greasing the lever pivot, to splurging on fancy parts like a radial master cylinder.

0:00 Intro
1:03 The simple stuff
1:49 Replacing parts
4:12 The big stuff

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[franklinfigueroa]

Revzilla presents: Keeping It 100% with Ari Henning.

[l.smiley]

3:20 Ari clearly already running steel lines in his forearms.

[caruser]

1:01
Zach: Battle Toad, slow down
Battle Toad: We don't do that here

[jamesatwood]

This is gonna sound weird, but I MASSIVELY upgraded my brakes by getting gloves that fit my hand better. I can actually cover the brakes while I ride and I can feel what I'm doing better than when I had overly bulky gloves.

[JDelta]

This is one of the best breakdowns on gradual brake upgrades and rider self improvement I've seen. Simple, informative, and straight to the point. Thank you Ari and RevZilla!

[NtGism]

If Ari of all peoples tells me I should first and foremost practice my braking skills, then he's probably right.

[lexacost]

Ari’s content is why I feel comfortable working on my bike

[nevillebowman]

The last part about making sure we are at our best is so critical! I remember listening to a rider in full racing garb, on a gorgeous bike going on about the huge amounts he had spent to lighten it as much as possible, while ignoring the extra 30-40lbs he was carrying above his belt. It makes a difference.

[zero]

Loved this! It felt very grounded and to be honest, it was refreshing that a video from a site that lives to sell things is explaining that certain types of parts practically are not needed for most people.

[dmaxcustom]

Great content.
Both on the technical, easy to understand for fools like me and also comes with proper advice. Thumbs up!

[ioandragulescu]

@6:03 I would hazard to say this piece of advice applies to all aspects of knowing/getting the most out of your motorcycle. A certain austrian rider and his skills and understanding of his "unimpressive" old cb500 comes to mind, while keeping up with a lot more advanced and expensive bikes, on hard alpine twisties.

[mymatemartin]

As new rider (6 months), that last point on 'upgrading the rider' is just so important. I love riding any time but I also love getting into the cap parks and practicing the safety and manoeuvring skills provided on the many brilliant YouTube channels available. I've learnt so much about myself as well the bike. Highly highly recommend investing time in yourself.

[clipofthedayyup]

The next level is going from street to track day. Your brakes weakness is quickly exposed under repeat brake applications vs street. This is very good street brake advise. Expect a track day will have you wishing for more upgrades.
I have a bike with ABS. I will be upgrading my brakes to brembo radial master cylinder, getting rid of ABS completely, steel lines x2 equal length to each caliper, race day pads, and oversized rotors bringing me up to 330mm vs stock 310. Going all brembo. Will report back once I do this for next year.

[WilliamsFamily]

The last pointer was the most important! Great video!

[DennisJPolson]

Yes!! Another installment of The Shop Manual and covering a topic I really need for my ZG1000! 👍

[Zookeeper]

As always, a well thought out video. It amazes me how many people don't know changing brake fluid is a maintenance item. Even though it's a "closed" system, moisture still gets in there from heat cycling and it's worse if you're in a humid area. I change my brake fluid about every 2 years, about when it starts noticeably changing color. That's the same schedule I use for my 4 wheeled vehicles. It's amazing how much better a hydraulic system works when it's got good fluid in it!

[cfltitan]

Back when I had my FZ8 I upgraded the pads with carbone lorraine XBK pads, put on spiegler braided lines and ran Motul RBF600 fluid. My God what a night and day difference!! The factory pads were the biggest limiting factor though. They honestly felt like they were made of wood. The lines definitely firmed up the lever feel though.

[Everendlesss]

I got a 2017 R3 as my first motorcycle. At the end of 2019, I decided I needed something fun. After months of riding, I realized my front master cylinder had a small hairline crack where the lever is installed. I bought a new OEM Yamaha master cylinder, Vortex levers along with EBC sintered pads. Not only did the new master cylinder and levers feel better, but the sintered pads made a HUGE difference. I haven't done any track days but I do have some nice roads nearby I explore with some casual speed. What a difference it made switching to better pads. Great video as always. I always get excited at a new Revzilla video. Seriously, you guys do amazing work. I hope I can meet some of you someday and chat about our 2 wheeled obsessions:D

[Boxpsring]

Flew to CA and borrowed my friend's beat-up bike for the next few weeks, and the front lever felt really squishy. Did a bleed yesterday but was still felt that the brakes were weak and got it from "unrideable" to "much better, but still not perfect". I took it out in the twisties and had to switch to 3 finger braking because the lever kept on hitting my finger when I pulled it in. Gonna do a second round of bleeding today and ordered a set of sintered pads because there isn't a lot of meat left on these guys. This video couldn't have come out at a better time!

[znismo]

Hey Revzilla, just want touch on the brake pad upgrade. I was actually told by Galfer that unless you are running a track bike, they do not recommend their sintered brake pads for the Rear. This is do to having a really strong bite that can lock up the rear on a strong press, which is an all too common situation that can happen during commuting and also off-roading.
They recommend their semi-metallic pad for the rear instead. Which gives a more progressive stop yet still better than OEM.