The current front brake on EBR bikes and even the Buell version have been a topic of conversation here of late. I hear folks say that the brake design is a major drawback for racing compared to more conventional systems due to serious brake fade. It seems to me that conventional systems experience fade too. As proof, many racers opt for more exotic disk and pad materials such as carbon, carbon fiber and ceramic. I am no expert at all but it seems to me that if the exotic material approach was applied to a ZTL system, it could be a game changer. Does anyone know anything about different disk materials tested or used on a EBR front brake?
IMHO I believe the issue comes down to compromise. When looking at brake design it is known that larger diameter brakes give you better stopping power due to the length of the lever. Just like a hammer with a longer handle will give greater force. Now the perimeter rotor gives us a longer lever at the expense of speed, as in surface feet per second. This greater speed produces more heat in the rotor and the pad. So there is the compromise. More heat verses the greater leverage. Maybe a wider rotor and wider pads would help or maybe different pad material designed for more heat, like a racing pad. I don't know the answer, just the variables of the issue.
I know of a kit offered by twin motorcycles for the 1125, I don't doubt it would fit the RX and even the XBs. How well would it work is beyond me though. Below the twin link is a link to an old thread about the ZTL system.
The ceramic rotors on Porsche are amazing . . . but at $8,500 you'd better be using them for something light years beyond what normal, even spirited normal, driving demands.
In addition, the frequent maintenance can cost about the same as a small car.
That is a dream brake rotor with a price to match.
Dream as in it would be awesome to have, or as in Dream on it would not work the great? The price isn't too bad €2058.73 roughly $2308.87 when compared to a traditional Brembo race spec system its a bargain. None of my bikes will ever see rain again, my RX still hasn't and ill make sure it never will. I'm going to order one to try out after deployment, waste the per-diem on something cool at least.
You'd have to have a ceramic or Carbon-Carbon rotor on PRODUCTION machines in order to qualify it for virtually any big name race (except MotoGP and some Club-level formula races)
Don't know who would consider spending another $5K on their club racer for a brake system - and for a PRODUCTION bike, doubt that if it were offered as standard equipment, there would be ANY more sales.
Ceramic rotors such as Starfire system have limitations which will likely keep them off of production machines - mainly cost Starfire Link
Carbon-Carbon is also finicky and doesn't really brake well until it's gotten significant heat. If you look at MotoGP bikes with carbon rotors - they're protected from heat loss and from getting wet.
They have one of those new Camaro z/28 race type thingy cars, at $70,000 + at the Chevy dealer where we have our Corvette club. The chief mechanic told me the ceramic rotors cost $1,300 each, and should last the life of the car.
Doubt there would be any sales? It has been there about five months so far. But this is a dealer that sells a high volume of Corvettes, so I'm sure they will find a buyer.
It has the E suspension and race tires that are barely DOT legal. Carbon fiber spoilers, the front one is like a NASCAR splitter, and fully adjustable.
Put a roll cage in it and it is ready to go full on racing. LS 427.....almost 700 hp.
The brake rotors for cars are far more common dimensions than the perimeter rotors on the Buell-type systems.
TENS of thousands of rotors vs hundreds.
IF you wanted a pair of conventional ceramic rotors for motorcycles, you MIGHT be able to get costs down because of the volume but it ain't happened yet.