What’s so special about Brembo?

The Other PaulG

The Other PaulG

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Brembo components are broadly acknowledged as being top quality kit.

Even some Chinese brands are fitting expensive Brembo parts to underline their ‘quality’ message.

But as I overhauled a caliper yesterday it occurred to me what a remarkably basic component it is. A chamber for the fluid, a couple of pistons, an inlet and a bleed valve…. It must be the very simplest of components for other manufacturers to make, so what makes Brembo products so special?
 
The “name”

They presumably had some competition success, and they’ve simply kept the name in the public view ever since

So “branding”
 
In same light as what makes Tom Howley or Martin Moore kitchen better than what I can produce for probably less than half their asking price?

It is just a “name” and a “brand” perhaps using more lavish premises and equipment compared to mine. That doesn’t mean that the end result will be same.
 
They are excellent quality.

Remember BMW swapped their callipers to Hayes in 2018 (but BMW branded). Lots of problems with them leaking. All had to be recalled. The same happened with the 310 and their Indian callipers. All recalled.

Precision engineering and quality materials come at a price.
 
I had Brembos on my 1190 Adventure and not one issue with them. Sold it at 35k and still on the original front pads... there was an awful lot of engine braking to be fair. Bought a new 790ADV with unbranded brakes and needed 2 replacement master cylinders, new banjo fixing at the rear and binding caliper warped the disc. I'd happily pay the extra for decent brakes that don't go wrong
 
The Other PaulG said:
Brembo components are broadly acknowledged as being top quality kit.

Even some Chinese brands are fitting expensive Brembo parts to underline their ‘quality’ message.

But as I overhauled a caliper yesterday it occurred to me what a remarkably basic component it is. A chamber for the fluid, a couple of pistons, an inlet and a bleed valve…. It must be the very simplest of components for other manufacturers to make, so what makes Brembo products so special?
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Dunno but they do make some impressive kit including brake calipers for wind turbines. I was in the turbine pod at the top of an 800KW german made Enercon wind turbine and the brake disc and Brembo calipers where huge. Wish I had taken pictures but was to busy crapping myself looking down the tower and out the hatch at the side of the Turbine nacelle.
 
Mzokk said:
Dunno but they do make some impressive kit including brake calipers for wind turbines. I was in the turbine pod at the top of an 800KW german made Enercon wind turbine and the brake disc and Brembo calipers where huge. Wish I had taken pictures but was to busy crapping myself looking down the tower and out the hatch at the side of the Turbine nacelle.
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Wuss.
Come and work on the outside.
 
PitaNaanRoti said:
Wuss.
Come and work on the outside.
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Feck me no. I was OK with heights when I was younger. I was up in that Enercon thing when I was about 50 ish. I', 63 now and get the colly wobbles on a step ladder :D
 
MotoRevive said:
They are excellent quality.

Remember BMW swapped their callipers to Hayes in 2018 (but BMW branded). Lots of problems with them leaking. All had to be recalled. The same happened with the 310 and their Indian callipers. All recalled.

Precision engineering and quality materials come at a price.
Click to expand...
My Hayes calibers on my RT never had to be recalled, they are still on the bike and they work just fine!

Hayes have made brake calibers for years, Harley used them. Who knows what went wrong with the BMW contract, made to a price, bad machining, but there are no issues with them now and there must be 1000s of bikes with Hayes calibers.
 
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MotoRevive said:
They are excellent quality.

Remember BMW swapped their callipers to Hayes in 2018 (but BMW branded). Lots of problems with them leaking. All had to be recalled. The same happened with the 310 and their Indian callipers. All recalled.

Precision engineering and quality materials come at a price.
Click to expand...

casbar said:
My Hayes calibers on my RT never had to be recalled, they are still on the bike and they work just fine!
Click to expand...


Think the recall was in the US of A. My 2020 GS had them and was never re-called and never leaked.
 
GSian said:
Think the recall was in the US of A. My 2020 GS had them and was never re-called and never leaked.
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I was working for Chester Motorrad at the time. All the early ones leaked. And we had to rebuild or replace them. You must have had the revised "fixed" version
 
I'll raise you YKK zippers...a zip is a zip...so why all the fuss from resellers stating YKK...and yes they are quality but what exactly makes them a belter..
 
GSian said:
Think the recall was in the US of A. My 2020 GS had them and was never re-called and never leaked.
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Was here too. My Aug 2019 registration 1250 I collected in October because of worldwide delays in availability. They got one front. Then the rear. Then the second front.
I got fuck all from them over it except paying monthlies for something I didn’t have.
BMWFS didn’t like it when I mentioned breach of contract.
 
Think I must have bought mine after all this went on. US may have seen this later on.
 
If they have a good name, they have a good name - unless someone else comes along to topple them off the top spot, what difference does it make?

It is an essential safety part, so is it because we are in safe hands?

Nothing to do with the kitchen analogy at all.
 
I wanted to upgrade my 790 Duke's brakes, tried the 890 with the Brembos and was impressed. But for less money I plumped for HEL calipers, master cylinder and braided hoses. Work of art, amazing power and feel, and a talking point at bike meets, as the calipers are black and quite distinctive. Went to their factory which is nearby and chose the colour from a long list
 
I saw this pic on FB and thought of your comment Paul

“A chamber for the fluid, a couple of pistons, an inlet and a bleed valve…. It must be the very simplest of components for other manufacturers to make, so what makes Brembo products so special?

Both Brembo

IMG_0092.jpeg
 
As per Oldrat pic and Motorevive's explanation above.

If we talk about bog standard pumps and calipers on bog standard bikes, I'd say yes the systems can be relatively simple, you'd pay a bit more for the name, but you will also get materials and quality control from a group that excels in engineering and for which the quality behind that name is life or death.
Brembo and Nissin have always been the top players.

Brembo recently purchased Ohlins as well.
 
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Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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