Of course, half the fun of owning a motorcycle is upgrading and working on it. If you want to undertake a new project, upgrading your motorcycle braking system with new cable and brake lines is one of the most impactful modifications you can make.
Motorcycle brake system upgrades are one of the best ways to improve safety and performance on the road. Modifying the braking system can enhance your bike’s stopping power, increase your control on the road, and make you feel more confident.
In this guide, we’ll cover the different upgrades that can be made to your motorcycle brake system, which brake system is best for motorcycles, and different tips. From sourcing the right components to tools and installation, there’s a lot to consider when upgrading your brakes.
When it comes to upgrading your motorcycle’s braking system, there are plenty of components to consider. Options include improving brake lines, upgrading brake pads, changing the fluid, and upgrading the master cylinder.
What Upgrade Can Be Made To Your Motorcycle Brakes
When it comes to upgrading your motorcycle brakes, there are plenty of places to start. From the brake pads to even the cable and fluid, there’s a range of options. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the different upgrades you can undertake.
Brake Pads
Upgrading brake pads can be a fairly affordable and fun way to upgrade your braking system. Brake pads play a crucial role in providing stopping power to your bike. Upgrading to high-performance or track-based braking pads will not only increase performance but also reduce the risk of experiencing things like brake fade.
The most popular form of track brake pads is race-sintered pads. These pads contain small metal particles that improve friction characteristics, provide better grip, and resist heat.
Brake Rotors
Braking force is essentially your bike’s rotors grinding against the brake pads. So, another way to improve your braking force, along with upgrading to high-performance brake pads, is upgrading your rotors.
Brake rotors, or brake discs, can be upgraded to high-performance variants made from materials like stainless steel, carbon, and cast iron. This can improve heat dissipation, increase stopping power, and reduce brake fade.
Brake Lines
Upgrading from the stock brake lines is one of the most popular choices when it comes to improving the brakes. A common choice is opting for braided brake lines—they’re more than just for show; while they look stylish, they also serve a purpose.
Most motorcycles come with rubber hoses from the factory, and over time, these rubber hoses are prone to degradation and stretch the more you use them. In the long term, this results in a decrease in braking performance and brake fade. Braided brake lines aren’t prone to this issue and will last longer.
Master Cylinder
If you’re looking to upgrade your motorcycle braking system, an aftermarket master cylinder is a great choice and where you’ll find the biggest performance boosts. The larger the piston diameter, the more fluid can be forced out of the master cylinder, resulting in greater pressure being produced.
The master cylinder is typically more expensive than other braking system upgrades; however, it provides the best performance enhancement. Upgrading the master cylinder can result in better control over brake pressure and more precise braking performance.
Brake Fluid
The cheapest and simplest way to improve your motorcycle’s braking system is upgrading the brake fluid, especially if you haven’t changed it in a while. Upgrading to a higher-quality brake fluid with a higher boiling point can help reduce the risk of brake fade and improve performance under high temperatures, providing more reliability.
Tips For Upgrading Your Motorcycle Braking System
Upgrading your motorcycle braking system is a great idea and fun if you’re looking for a project. If you plan on upgrading your motorcycle braking system, we’ve listed a few tips to help you get started.
- Assess your needs and your bike. Before jumping into buying new parts for your braking system, think about your riding style, where you ride most commonly, and identify what components of your bike require upgrading.
- Plan out all the parts and costs beforehand. Research the components you want to upgrade beforehand, budget their costs, and organise getting all the tools you need for installation.
- If your motorcycle doesn’t already have an ABS braking system, we recommend looking into installing it with an aftermarket system. ABS is the go-to for modern motorcycles due to its safety features, and it’s great for reducing the risk of skidding or losing control.
- If you’re on a budget, you can look into more affordable upgrades to start with. The brake line/cable and better brake fluid are a great place to start if you want to increase performance.
- If you aren’t feeling confident or you’re not sure where to start, we recommend reaching out to a professional for advice and/or installation. A mechanic can help you find the right parts for your project, recommend components, and provide guidance.
Which Braking System Is Recommended For Motorcycles
When it comes to motorcycle braking systems, the two choices you have are either anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or combined braking systems (CBS). When it comes to which is best, it’ll depend on your personal preferences, your motorcycle, and the type of riding you do.
Anti-lock Braking Systems
The main feature of anti-lock braking systems is that they prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking by modulating brake pressure. It’s especially useful if you tend to ride on slippery surfaces.
ABS significantly reduces the risk of loss of control when emergency braking and lowers the risk of skidding. Compared to other braking systems, ABS provides a high level of stability and control, particularly in wet or slippery conditions. Due to its proven safety benefits, ABS is becoming the standard on modern motorcycles.
Combined Braking Systems
Combined braking systems, also known as linked braking, activate the front and rear brakes when either the brake pedal or lever is used, helping distribute the force more evenly. This grants the rider more control when riding and provides balanced braking force to both wheels.
CBS is popular for its ease of use. It simplifies the braking process, making it a great choice for beginners.
Upgrade Your Braking System With Taverner
If you want to upgrade your brake system, upgrade it with Taverner Motorsports. Our team has over 40 years of experience in the industry, performing routine servicing, custom workshop services, performance modifications, and brake system upgrades.
We stock a wide range of universal and one-off cable options for American, metric, and British motorcycles. Our cables come in stock and oversized length options and are also available in various colour combinations. Our team can also produce custom-length lines for bespoke or vintage bikes.
So, if you need cables and brake line kits, our team has you covered. In addition to kits, our team can also perform the installation. When you choose Taverner Motorsports, you can also expect crystal-clear transparency from start to finish. This includes keeping you informed on any work required, estimated costs, and a timeline for completion.
If you have any questions for our team, are looking for advice, or want to upgrade your braking system, contact our team today and request a quote. Our team works with all makes and models, and we’d love to help you enhance your motorcycle.