Ducati Monster Forum

I've been thinking of upgrading my rotors and at first liked the Braketech CMC rotors that kopfjager is sporting, but mejebus over a grand each.  I've first found the Galfer wave rotors and the ABM Peak EVO which I liked.  I think I finally found the ones I like but have never heard of them - the Yana Shiki Full Floating Wave rotor.

Does anybody have any knowledge on these?  If you were about to buy a set which would you get?

The Yana Shiki Rotors:
(http://www.yanashiki.com/v/vspfiles/photos/SW901LD-2.jpg)(http://www.yanashiki.com/v/vspfiles/photos/RW920RD-2.jpg)

The Braketechs:
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/Motowheelscom/brakes/DSC02195.jpg)(http://www.oppracing.com/images/uploaded/pr8589_7_rotors-braketech-cmc-oppracing.jpg)

The Galfers:
(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/img/galfer_df660.jpg)(http://sportbikewrench.com/images/products/display/waverotorrear.jpg)

The ABMs:
(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/ABMFRONT_large.jpg)(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/ABMREAR_large.jpg)

The same question was asked over on the 'Busa forum the consensus is............ run screaming

 I think the better question is... what the hell are you doing over on the Busa forum? Lol


 To the OP. Are you looking to improve performance or it is all about the bling?

another option  is Braking

www.braking.it (http://)

I have the STX wave full-floaters

(http://www.braking.com/Braking/sito/immaginiCopertina/54_copertina_stx.JPG)

http://www.braking.com/Braking/sito/documenti_allegati/54_link_inglese_STX.pdf (http://www.braking.com/Braking/sito/documenti_allegati/54_link_inglese_STX.pdf)

I would think that any brake upgrade should improve performance.  Hence the word upgrade.  If they look good but don't perform then why get them.  It's just a safety issue thing for me though they don't have to be race quality as I won't be running any races any time soon.  But, if I am going to spend some money I would also like it to have bling factored in.  I mean, if someone handed you the best performing brake rotors ever made but they are made of some sort of bright baby pink unobtanium that is impossible to color change, would you put them on your bike?  I want some better performing brake rotors that won't fall apart and look badass all at the same time.  If they can look like rotary blades and double performance of the OEMs then I'm in.



Thanks for the suggestion Raux.  I've added them as an option on the poll.  I'll continue to do so as other suggestions are made.

If you aren't in the rain too often, there's nothing better than the braketech axis Irons (except the axis CMCs). They aren't the best looking shape wise, but they're stupid light, and they perform better than anything i've ever used.

They CAN rust alittle, so use them or keep them clean.

They are the only full-floating rotor, where the pin isn't load bearing, so you get better energy transfer, with less shutter.  AND they drop more weight than going from cast marchesinins to carbon wheels

Is your bike still on the stock 800 brakes?

If so, upgrading to 4 piston calipers, from 15 to 16 mm master (or more) and 320 mm rotors will mean a lot more than upgrading from x rotor to y rotor.

Northern Cali gets regular rain Dec-Feb and when I am back home I ride the bike primarily.  Thanks for the suggestions.

Yep, stock 800 brakes still.

About how much to make all those upgrades?

$525

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40805.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40805.0)

 [thumbsup]

Their CMC rotors or Stainless Steels (Cobra i think they're called), are both weatherproof, and better than any other brand

That's the ticket right there for improved overall braking performance at a very reasonable cost.  The rotors are heavier than some of the other options, but that's likely minor in the big scheme of things.  You'll end up with far better braking and many pad compound options to choose from.

BK

I these rotors looked so intriguing I googled them to see what former farm tractor factory and province they were made in on the mainland

and wound up there...Busa's are a breed of machine I am not sure what to make of

I get the upgrade question from local Monster guys from time to time, so I wanted to investigate further...

To me, it seems like none of the above manufacturers make 300mm rotors for S2R 800 / 695.
I wasn't able to find out about Galfer, but the same probably goes for them.

Just another good reason to upgrade, I guess.

If you don't jump on the $525 deal - the same kit, new, put together by Yoyodyneti will run you about $ 1,040
(pair of Brembo calipers 520, 320mm Brembo rotors 300.  16mm coffin master 100, custom brake lines 120

I hope you get to experience the difference in braking power - it's amazing [thumbsup]

I can concur with Lars. I have fitted the 4 piston 4 pad calipers and 320mm rotors. I did not however use a bigger master cylinder I went the other route.......I use a twin brake line system so that each caliper has its own fluid from the master to the caliper. Thats the better way to go. No one into two brake lines.Braking power is tremendous..........ever done a stoppie when you had to do an emergency stop because of some yo yo ? Easy to do with this set up.Be careful when you first ride with it because it is completely different that the stock set up. Remember to double check all bolts and use loctite where necessary.Using new copper crush washers on the brake lines recommended.You can make your own brake lines from kit parts as I did. Measure the lines and buy the new parts and bolt together. Its easy work, just make sure that you double check everything-twice.Your local motorbike shop should carry what you need. [thumbsup]

I'm sure that I'm gonna catch a lot flack for this and some might call me wrong, dumb, inexperienced, or a number of other things but I'm gonna go for it anyway.

"Upgrading" or changing any component on the stock brake system seems purely aesthetic to me. And I'm not claiming I haven't wanted to do the same cause, believe me, I've browsed.
Although I'm sure there are some benefits to this upgrade I am also sure there are just the same DOT requirements for testing when it comes to motorcycle brakes as there are for testing cars. The stock setup, as per testing, is more than adequate enough to stop the bike they are on at any speed. I can just about flip my bike with my stock setup going just 5 mph.

That being said, to the OP, go for the ones you like looking at the best. The Braketech ceramics are the tits, I just can't afford 'em. And the Galfers look pretty cool too.

Anyhow, just my $.02

Passing DOT standards are like getting Cs in your neurochemistry class....You get your MD, but how many patients want to know that their Dr. barely squeaked by?

Wave Rotors don't do much different intrinsically.  Galfers have a higher friction coefficient, and will heat up less, so there is less brake fade when you're really pushing it.

Axis Rotors weight a make the beast with two backs load less than stock, and they have even better thermal transfer.  Those lose NO power when hot. 

The master is not a power-upgrade, but is a feel upgrade. A radial master gives much better modulation ability than the stocker, and provides much better feedback. The lines aren't upgraded much once they're SS, which all modern Ducs get from the factory. Rotors and Pads leave alot of room for upgrading from the factory for friction, and feel, as well as how strong they perform before fading.  Too much heat in brake systems causes them to lose power.

What you get is good. It's better than the equivalent stock from anyone else, but it's nowhere near great.

I put MotoMaster on mine..
http://www.moto-master.com/productnow.php# (http://www.moto-master.com/productnow.php#)

[laugh] That's like saying:  "All tires get you from point A to point B; therefore, all of those tires should perform the same under all circumstances." [laugh]

Makes sense. I'm sure I ride a little differently than most people here as well, mostly commuting with minor twisties on the weekends so I don't have to deal with over heating. No track days or racing, which I'm sure is where upgrading the brakes makes the most difference.

For the type of riding I do I make sure I have good pads with plenty of life, properly bled lines and a properly filled reservoir with dot 4 or 5.1, and adjustable levers(which help somewhat with feel).

That's not saying that at all. When you bought your bike did you change the tires right away, regardless of tread life?

How long did you ride with your stock brake set up before you could upgrade? I'm sure they did just fine for you.

Start a poll thread and see how many of the 6000+ member have stayed with the stock brake set up or have opted to stay with the same brand of tire that came on the bike when they bought it because they like how they perform for the type of riding they do.

A lot of the time the stock components are not the best but most of the time they are far from "shitty".

adjustable levers make your hand reach differently, but have no correlation to "feel". Feel is a product of the modulation ability of the lever. Coffin style masters (no radial), have a plunger that pushes perpendicular to the pull, this puts the force in 2 directions rather than one, and mechanically makes a less direct link to the lever from the plunger. This is where the lack of feel comes in.

Your brakes are ok, but they're not great.  You might not use them to capacity, but they are still not as good as they could be.


Lighter weight rotors do ALOT to improve every aspect of riding. They turn in easier, you stop quicker, and accelerate quicker.  Reciprocating, unsprung mass is the WORST kind.  Unsprung is about a 1lb = 7lbs sprung weight. Reciprocating weight on rotors is dependant on speed/weight/etc, but you wouldn't believe how much difference 5lbs on a rotor makes when you're riding.

Upgrading the master makes more street help compared to the rotors, because heat transfer isn't important on commuters, however mountain, canyon riders and track riders will notice immediately when the brakes aren't there anymore.


And yes, it IS like saying all tires are the same.  They're acceptable, but they're not the best

no flak, probably just a matter of what an individual is satisfied with

Some folks buy their bike and ride it as is....

some see it as an adequate starting-point on a continuum of refinement of the riding experience

my bike is chock full of shit I don't "need" to get from point A to point B,

but it is stuff that either satisfies my aesthetic sense or enhances my "riding experience" and sense of control and confidence in the machine

my riding is not about the destination it is all about the journey..so I am not a commuter

if I was a commuter,,, I doubt I would have even looked at a Ducati for that assignment...there are more adequately sensible and reliable machines to use to sit in traffic

also keep in mind, if Ducati did not see merit in enhancements that improve the bike's qualities and/or performance

we all would be buying 1993 Monsters manufactured in 2010...but there is a combination of competitive marketing and actual improved functionality for the user that go into the evolution of the machine

I certainly did not opt for a Monster because it was as practical and sensible as a Ford Focus or won top score in Consumer Reports to begin with...

it was purely an aesthetic or if you will, emotional purchase as is likely the case for most folks sitting on one

You've got some good choices, but why didn't Beringer, Alth, or Brembo make the list? http://bellissimoto.com/RotorsIndex.html (http://bellissimoto.com/RotorsIndex.html)

and just read more about SICOM.. wow!

I don't know why they're not on the list, but the reason why they shouldn't be on the list is because they don't offer a 300mm rotor for this stock system.

If the OP, or other 300mm / 2 piston owners, do the upgrade - then the list is long and interesting.

sicom does have a 300mm rotor.

Not according to their list?

If they did - do you think they are 0mm offset and will fit inside the calipers/brackets (being 8.5mm thick)?

true probably not. most of their kit they recommend getting their calipers.

monsta and Bellissimoto,  Thanks for the suggestions.  They have all been added to the list of available poll options.

Those Moto-Masters were sort of what I had in mind but now I have too many choices and my head is spinning.  Although I still like the Braketech CMC/Axis I still feel the price is too outrageous and the Sicom don't seem to have a set for my bike.  Getting BST or Dymag CF rims at a later date should make up for the weight loss I am missing out on.  ;)

I haven't made a final decision but I think I have narrowed the rotor choices to either of the Galfer, Moto-Master, or Yana Shiki.  At the moment these are all for looks alone.  As long as the rotors are of lighter materials than OEM and are fully floating I think they should meet my performance requirements.

As for that goldline kit, seems that A&S Powersports has the kit brand new for $706.  I just am not really digging the gold.

Reading everybody's posts I think I am going to do a combination of changing to 320 mm, 4 piston calipers for upgrading brake performance and getting rotors that meet my aesthetic requirement.  Still haven't figured which calipers but will more than likely get the Brembo goldline coffin master to upgrade the current one without having to completely change out the rest of my controls. 

You can paint the calipers.  Most paint stores carry caliper paint.  Just saying, gold can be fixed

Sounds like your on the right track, but you know...

We actually can get the Aerotec 4D kit for your bike    [evil]


(http://bellissimoto.com/images/BCal4d.bmp)

Or chrome them if that's your thing....

(http://i29.tinypic.com/11i1qf7.jpg)

I didn't see any pictures of the most popular option... ???


 ;D

Bellissimoto, Those look interesting.  I'll have to read up on them.

BK_856er, not chrome but maybe polished/buffed aluminum or just black.

LOL.   [laugh]   Totally missed that.  Your right, here's a picture of boobies...













(http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2008/6/20/633495171199936172-boobies.jpg)

Those won't be going on the bike but everybody seems to like the boobies.   [laugh]

I have a rear AB< rotor thats pretty much new I'd like to sell if anyone is intrested pm me [bacon]

Braketech SS rotors up front on my monster. They are great in every way.

Probably going to go with a Braketech Iron rotor on my Duke II as well (if I can find one that fits)

The Carbon brakes... are overkill and way too pricey, IMHO

If your bike stays indoors, the BrakeTech ductile iron rotors are where it's at (so to speak) - lighter too.  You can watch them rust outdoors in real time.  I've been using them for 30,000 miles and love em.

If your bike stays outdoors at all, the SS BrakeTech rotors are very good - better than stock.

CP 211 carbon/ceramic pads work very well with each.

LA

Mojo S2R,

Here's a small compilation of quotes and my comments in yellow:

"my riding is not about the destination it is all about the journey..so I am not a commuter/my bike is chock full of shit I don't "need" to get from point A to point B, but it is stuff that either satisfies my aesthetic sense or enhances my "riding experience" and sense of control and confidence in the machine" >>> I do commute and my commute is my ride, my de-stresser and also have spent some $$ in things that have added bling to my bike, but, out of necessity since not OEM have been less costly than OEM. I'll upgrade my whole brake system up front and at least rotor/pads at the rear, with bling? Yes, brand, Brembo/EBC is the most problable route since my experience with EBC pads I'm using with stock rotors/master up front

"As for that goldline kit, seems that A&S Powersports has the kit brand new for $706.  I just am not really digging the gold.

Reading everybody's posts I think I am going to do a combination of changing to 320 mm, 4 piston calipers for upgrading brake performance and getting rotors that meet my aesthetic requirement.  Still haven't figured which calipers but will more than likely get the Brembo goldline coffin master to upgrade the current one without having to completely change out the rest of my controls.">>> I don;t like gold much either, but, since they do come in either gold or silver, depending on availability, I'll then choose; as said before, I'll go the EBC brand way from actual experience with their EBC HH sintered pads and OEM  300mm rotors and coffin master[which is not working properly] and yes, I'm hoping that by the time I have put togheter teh money, the seller still has teh radial set up  and then I just need to have custom made lines to attch to my "small 2pot calipers" and be able to stop better as part of my riding/commuting route is on a hilly, twisting road.

This are my 0.02

I'm curious how this works.  Both brake lines attach to the master and then each goes all the way to its own caliper?  Sounds easier to bleed but I don't see how it would necessarily work better than either the monster style or SBK style.  I'm planning a master/caliper upgrade so I'll probably need new lines.

Thanks!

isnt 2 lines straight to the master more fluid to move?

two lines is more responsive, yes more fluid to move but it is negigible. The movement of the lever is far less and despite bleeding the stock system I could never get the feel that I have now with this set up.I personally prefer this over the stock set up. [thumbsup]

The whole point is you're not moving the fluid, so much as the fluid is applying pressure to the brake pistons.

In fact, there's almost no fluid movement involved.

Single line means you've got less hose to expand, but with modern hoses the amount of expansion is minimal. Personally I think the biggest cause of spongy brakes is poor bleeding, so go with the easier to bleed option.

I did the goldline upgrade on my S2R back in 2006 at that time I paid $500 for the kit, it was awesome. I believe the current owner of my S2R still has that set up .

makes sense about the fluid thing.

 I need some new rotors now. Measured mine, and they are a little below spec. 19,000 miles on them. Daily commute + Weekend riding + Trackdays.  :P

how much better are these new rotors anway. Is it like OH MY GOD ITS SO MUCH BETTER!!! or is it just marginally better than stock. Because im talking about saving a huge chunk of change with stock rotors.

Has anyone seen the pair of brembo front rotors new for less than $650?

If you mean 320mm, yes, Yoyodyne has them for about $300 a pair [thumbsup]
http://www.yoyodyneti.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=3009 (http://www.yoyodyneti.com/Category.aspx?CategoryID=3009)

If you mean 300, I think you might be left with buying Ducati parts from a dealer (expensive?)

Danke! I recently bought the bike used and wasn't sure if I needed 320 or 300. It looks like 320, but I haven't taken the wheel off and measured directly. I did throw a tape under the forks and it looked >300, so I suppose I'll order up some 320s.

(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n284/mattandemilymeister/201008051357000.jpg)

Bitte schon [thumbsup]

Yes, those are 320s. I know that because the 300s look completely different.