CBR650R Can you replace the Nissin Calipers with a Brembo Caliper?

[redacted]

Hi,

I was just wondering if thats possible, because I like the looks of the Brembo calipers and would also like to add the and Brembo brake pads if possible!

Also - I'd also like to know why it wouldn't work if it doesn't.

Cheers

 

[Eaglemoto]

I know the Tokico calipers on the GSXR are interchangeable with the Brembo calipers that appeared on the later iterations of the bike, so I dont see any reason why the Nissin's cant be replaced with Brembo's from perhaps another Honda model. Would be quite an expensive modification though, as Brembo calipers aren't cheap.

 

[redacted]

Are the calipers themselves an upgrade though? Like do they change anything? (I like the looks of them, but if they don't make any difference...)


Edit: I also emailed a Honda dealer near me and they said that you can't just change an entire brake system. You'd need calipers that fit and a new "main brake cylinder" (my translation of it) and that it would be a very expensive thing to do and he doesn't recommend it.

What do you think of it? (I got no clue about it, the Brembo thing was just a thought I had)

 

[Drewster123]

I've thought about doing things like this myself but in just going get a gsxr 750 with everything I want .

 

[Eaglemoto]

Are the calipers themselves an upgrade though? Like do they change anything? (I like the looks of them, but if they don't make any difference...)


Edit: I also emailed a Honda dealer near me and they said that you can't just change an entire brake system. You'd need calipers that fit and a new "main brake cylinder" (my translation of it) and that it would be a very expensive thing to do and he doesn't recommend it.

What do you think of it? (I got no clue about it, the Brembo thing was just a thought I had)

They are otherwise they wouldnt fit them on the more powerful and expensive bikes. However, as has been said on other threads on this forum the 650R isnt a proper supersports bike so doesnt require the stopping power of say a Fireblade. You would need to change the brake master cylinder as the one supplied on the 650R looks like a cheap system. If you do want to upgrade the brake performance, then braided lines and performance pads will make a difference.

 

[Eaglemoto]

I've thought about doing things like this myself but in just going get a gsxr 750 with everything I want .

I have a GSXR 750, very capable bikes.

 

[miweber929]

They are otherwise they wouldnt fit them on the more powerful and expensive bikes. However, as has been said on other threads on this forum the 650R isnt a proper supersports bike so doesnt require the stopping power of say a Fireblade. You would need to change the brake master cylinder as the one supplied on the 650R looks like a cheap system. If you do want to upgrade the brake performance, then braided lines and performance pads will make a difference.

This is great info.

The calipers themselves are not much different between models and brands of brakes. The master cylinder is most of the "feel" and pads are usually the "power" and fresh fluid, properly bled system is the package that makes brakes great.

Things you need to look at to see if they fit: Post spacing, post position, caliper spacing, rotor thickness and position and piston position. Then you need to now what master cylinder size you need to work with those calipers, there are several.

So let's say the spacing will work, and you can set them in place, both them down, they hit the rotors at the right spot and you bought the master cylinder as well. You'll need lines the right length to make to the levers. then you need to determine if lever will hit the bodywork at full lock.

Then you need to determine if when all of that is done and paid for it was worth it or you should have just painted the calipers or learned to live with the looks.

Anything is doable, it's just a lot to do it.

 

[redacted]

Lol, I kinda thought it was just a simple replacement, I didn't think it would need so in depth changes.

Thanks a lot! No brembo calipers for me then Haha

 

[Jerry]

OP also appears to have a CBR650F, not an R. The 650F doesn't have radially mounted calipers so I doubt the Brembo calipers (which I guess are all radially mounted) would even be mountable on the bike.

 

[Daniel]

It can and has been done to a CB/R650F but with modification to the mounting bracket. See images attached.

My thoughts echo the comments of Miweber and Eaglemoto, it's an incredible amount of work and money, which definitely wouldn't justify the results unless you're just happy to needlessly burn money for the aesthetics.

Get the sintered pads and braided lines, they're a brilliant investment.

 

[redacted]

OP also appears to have a CBR650F, not an R. The 650F doesn't have radially mounted calipers so I doubt the Brembo calipers (which I guess are all radially mounted) would even be mountable on the bike.

I got both actually, but looking to sell the F soon. My question was in fact for the R

 

[victorkkq]

I got both actually, but looking to sell the F soon. My question was in fact for the R

xMike Wow u owns the F and R? Just an off topic question, how an R riding and handling compared to the F? Significant or marginal improvement? Thanks

 

[GJP]

Just a thought from a novice, would increasing the stopping power affect the ABS. (e.g. could it cope with the quicker stronger response?)

 

[Nithesh]

another off topic query since you own the F and the R would you be able to post some pics of both side by side from the front, rear and sides?

When I rode the R last month I didn't notice any difference in dimensions(except for shorter tail end) but everyone around swears that the R is a tad smaller in size than the F.

Just a thought from a novice, would increasing the stopping power affect the ABS. (e.g. could it cope with the quicker stronger response?)

No(Yes).
The sensors detect wheel lock based on speed delta between F&R wheels, not braking force. The system is programmed to do the math instantly from both wheel sensors.

 

[Brammers]

Incorrect. The 650 doesn't have linked ABS.

Each wheel uses timing pulses from the ABS ring to detect a locked wheel and will pulse the brakes accordingly to allow rotation of that wheel, independently.

J

 

[redacted]

another off topic query since you own the F and the R would you be able to post some pics of both side by side from the front, rear and sides?

When I rode the R last month I didn't notice any difference in dimensions(except for shorter tail end) but everyone around swears that the R is a tad smaller in size than the F.



No(Yes).
The sensors detect wheel lock based on speed delta between F&R wheels, not braking force. The system is programmed to do the math instantly from both wheel sensors.

I'll post them tomorrow!

What I already got is a sound comparison in which you can see them, maybe that's already good enough?

 

[redacted]

xMike Wow u owns the F and R? Just an off topic question, how an R riding and handling compared to the F? Significant or marginal improvement? Thanks

Hey,

well I am still quite a newb to motorcycles, but here's my view on it.

The CBR650F is my first bike (ever) and I got like 14.000 KM on it. My experience is that it really is a good allrounder, but it felt a little stiff in sharp turns, I don't know if it's because of my abilities or because of the length between both wheels. I didn't feel very secure on it in turns and it felt rather shaky/unstable to me.

I got the CBR650R as a rental bike when my 650F was in for it's maintenance and what I instantly felt was that I could just throw the bike into the corners and felt absolutely secure with it. Not sure if it's the tyres, but it feels really planted to the ground and I felt very comfortable going in into turns with quite some speed.

However, after I had my 650f back (with new tyres also (Pirelli Angel GT)), I just took the "risk" and tried to throw it around like the 650R too and it worked. So yeah, I can't really conclude anything, I went for the 650R then because I really love the dash, the sportier look and because I felt more secure with it, because the bike is a little lighter and I think the wheels are a little closer to each other, which means you can turn it a little better (I think?) + the weigh reduction obviously comes in handy.

Whatever you take from this I can safely say; I fell in love with the CBR650R right away, it's aesthetics and even the sound with the OEM exhausts is really amazing. However, I am planning to sell the F in the near future - as I don't see a real point in riding them both, as they are still quite similar after all, but I just felt much better and safer on the R.

Cheers

 

[victorkkq]

Wow thanks for sharing! Really appreciate. Such valuable information and perspective from someone who actually owes the F and R. Cheers!

 

[Ian Warren]

Hey,

well I am still quite a newb to motorcycles, but here's my view on it.

The CBR650F is my first bike (ever) and I got like 14.000 KM on it. My experience is that it really is a good allrounder, but it felt a little stiff in sharp turns, I don't know if it's because of my abilities or because of the length between both wheels. I didn't feel very secure on it in turns and it felt rather shaky/unstable to me.

I got the CBR650R as a rental bike when my 650F was in for it's maintenance and what I instantly felt was that I could just throw the bike into the corners and felt absolutely secure with it. Not sure if it's the tyres, but it feels really planted to the ground and I felt very comfortable going in into turns with quite some speed.

However, after I had my 650f back (with new tyres also (Pirelli Angel GT)), I just took the "risk" and tried to throw it around like the 650R too and it worked. So yeah, I can't really conclude anything, I went for the 650R then because I really love the dash, the sportier look and because I felt more secure with it, because the bike is a little lighter and I think the wheels are a little closer to each other, which means you can turn it a little better (I think?) + the weigh reduction obviously comes in handy.

Whatever you take from this I can safely say; I fell in love with the CBR650R right away, it's aesthetics and even the sound with the OEM exhausts is really amazing. However, I am planning to sell the F in the near future - as I don't see a real point in riding them both, as they are still quite similar after all, but I just felt much better and safer on the R.

Cheers

Haven’t ridden the F so can’t compare but as I understand it probably one of the bigger differences would be the front suspension especially on the revised 2021 CBR650R with updated Showa SFF BPF front forks which probably has more to do with the better turn in and stability in the turn.
It s a more expensive bike so gets some better bits.

 

[Zenar]

Lol, I kinda thought it was just a simple replacement, I didn't think it would need so in depth changes.

Thanks a lot! No brembo calipers for me then Haha

I replace brakes here in my country and I can tell, just buy the right item and let your mechanic install it for you, don't try to install it on your own, bleeding an ABS is a pain in the ass manually.