Taking a pillion for the first time yesterday on my 2021 RT reminded me of just how unpleasantly sharp the Hayes brakes are on this model. The Brembo brakes on my 2019 RT and earlier 1200 RS had a lovely progressive action. Does anyone here have a current RT with the Brembo brakes and has been able to compare them with the Hayes? Does anyone know if the Brembo calipers are a direct replacement for the Hayes, and, if so, any idea how much they would cost?
Hayes vs. Brembo
- Thread starter RSInterloper
- Start date
Perhaps try different pads first?
I ride fleet bikes that have both Hayes and Brembo callipers. My own bike has the Hayes calibers, I find no issues between the two. In fact I think the Hayes may just have more feel, that was also the conclusion when testers started comparing the two calibers when they were first used. So in a nutshell, I do not find the Hayes unpleasantly sharp, they work just fine.
Thanks for the replies - must be me then 
I find that the slightest squeeze on the lever brings me to an extremely rapid (and often hard to judge) stop. Had the 2 year service done yesterday at Cotswold (worth the trip even though it rained on the way back) and they warned me that the front Pilot Road 5 was down to 2.5mm, and I've only done 4000 miles. Must be all that heavy braking....
I find that the slightest squeeze on the lever brings me to an extremely rapid (and often hard to judge) stop. Had the 2 year service done yesterday at Cotswold (worth the trip even though it rained on the way back) and they warned me that the front Pilot Road 5 was down to 2.5mm, and I've only done 4000 miles. Must be all that heavy braking....
Perhaps you guys are all piano players with sensitive fingers. I seem to manage to stand the bike on its nose every time I brake, but I've only been riding since 1972 so I guess I haven't learned yet. All I can say is that I didn't have this issue with the Brembos on the previous models.
I had a gen 1 XR with Brembo
When i rode a mates gen 2 XR withe Hayes i was gobsmacked as to how much better they were at stopping the bike nicely than the Brembo
Far more power and better feel
I think BMW have gone back to Brembo but in all honesty i think the HAyes were way better
When i rode a mates gen 2 XR withe Hayes i was gobsmacked as to how much better they were at stopping the bike nicely than the Brembo
Far more power and better feel
I think BMW have gone back to Brembo but in all honesty i think the HAyes were way better
Interesting comments all - I haven't had a chance to ride a new RT with the Brembo brakes, so I can't compare. I did wonder whether "brake assist" is kicking in and making me feel that the Hayes are ultra-sharp? As far as I can tell there is no indication to let one know if that has activated.
I found exactly the same when my 2016 XR with Brembos was in for a service and they loaned me a new XR with Hayes. Of course, the then 6 year old bike would have had worn components and I changed the pads not long after the service for a final trip on it to Spain, prior to selling the XR.
I have a 2016 R1200RS with Brembos. I find on both 2016 bikes there is quite a bit of lever travel before the brakes bite. The Hayes bite earlier but I found no difficulty adjusting to the feel on the Hayes fitted XR. I never thought the Hayes brakes were too sharp.
nikos
Registered user
My friend Carl reckons Brembo calliper gives better feel but longer brake lever travel.
