A guide to the different types of Brembo calipers [2024 Edition]

• Share:

• 
• 
• 

Brembo braking systems are used in the world's most prestigious races, including MotoGP. Their stopping power, control performance, and feel captivate all riders. Even in the world of customization, when it comes to brake calipers and master cylinders, Brembo is the obvious choice. However, to be honest, there are so many different types of brake calipers and master cylinders that it is sometimes difficult to know which one to install. I say this from personal experience! So, I made this list of Brembo calipers as a reference for anyone having the same problem!

Radial Mount Calipers

Radial mount brake calipers are used on most modern sport bikes. The orientation of the mounting bolts changes and the pitch is widened, allowing for a significant increase in rigidity. It is also nice to be able to easily change the brake disc diameter by changing the offset collar. Most Japanese bikes mainly use 108mm pitch, while European bikes and Japanese flagship models often use 100mm pitch.

GP4-MS Caliper

CNC Machined / Monoblock

Specifications
-Mounting pitch: 100mm
-Piston diameter: 30mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, monoblock)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 945g
-Surface treatment: Nickel coating
-Built-in dust seal

The GP4-MS is the flagship model of Brembo's High Performance Kit series. It incorporates all of Brembo's techniques: machining, monoblock, and nickel coating. 1-piece (monoblock) calipers provide the ultimate in rigidity. The beautiful nickel coating is not just for decorative purposes, but also to reduce manufacturing tolerances and control piston movement based on feedback from racing experience. It is not just beautiful, but even that beauty leads to functionality. The price is also flagship level!

GP4-MS Caliper 108mm Pitch Specification

CNC Machined / Monoblock

Specifications
-Mounting pitch: 108mm
-Piston diameter: 30mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, monoblock)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 945g
-Surface treatment: Nickel coating
-Built-in dust seal

The evolved version of the GP4-MS, the flagship model of Brembo's High Performance Kit series. The caliper mount pitch of 108mm, which is common for Japanese bikes, is used, and cooling fins have been added to the "machining, monoblock, and nickel coating" that has been inherited from the 100mm pitch model! The fins at the bottom of the caliper, which were not included in the previous model, improve heat dissipation by 15%-20%. This is a true flagship model.

GP4-RX Caliper

CNC Machined / 2-piece

Specifications
-Mounting pitch: 108mm / 100mm / 130mm
-Piston diameter: 32mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): 108mm approx. 925g / 100mm approx. 830g / 130mm approx. 1000g
-Surface treatment: Nickel coating
-Built-in dust seal

The GP4-RX is the top model for non-monoblock radial calipers. These calipers do not require pins for the pads as they have guides directly machined into the caliper body. They are ultra-lightweight, weighing only 830g (100mm pitch model), and highly precise. They also feature the same nickel coating as the GP4-MS. They also include a model compatible with the 130mm pitch used for the 2007-2014 YZF-R1 and other models!

484 Cafe Racer Caliper

CNC Machined / 2-piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 108mm / 100mm
-Piston diameter: 32mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 950g
-Surface treatment: Black anodized
-Built-in dust seal

As the name suggests, this caliper is specially designed for the cafe racer and custom market. Until a few years ago, it was sold simply under the name ".484". Incidentally, "484" is derived from the caliper's piston capacity measured in cubic inches (cu.in.), which is commonly used to express displacement on Harleys and other similar bikes. The organic design gives the caliper a custom look and feel. Both 100mm and 108mm are included in the lineup, so they can be installed on most modern bikes.

GP4-RB Caliper

CNC Machined / 2-piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 108mm / 100mm
-Piston diameter: 30/34mm (4-pot with differing diameters)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 1000g
-Surface treatment: Black anodized
-Built-in dust seal

This radial billet caliper has a rugged, mechanical look with that "racing caliper" feel. Designed by Brembo engineers using racing technology to maximize braking power and rigidity, this caliper features 30/34mm pistons of different diameters to further improve performance and controllability. Both 108mm and 100mm calipers are available, so they can be installed on almost all sport models.

GP4-RS Caliper

Cast / Monoblock

Specifications
-Pitch: 108mm
-Piston diameter: 30mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (Cast, monoblock)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 930g
-Surface treatment: Anodized titanium color
-Built-in dust seal

Introduced in late 2016, the GP4-RS successfully reduces weight by an additional 10% compared to the M4 one-piece caliper thanks to very complex casting technology. The most distinctive feature of the GP4-RS is its "fins," which are inherited from the concept of the MotoGP system. These fins increase the surface area in contact with the outside air by 30%. Since it is the 30% closest to the brake fluid, it has a significant impact on cooling performance.

STYLEMA Caliper

Cast / Monoblock

Specifications
-Pitch: 100mm
-Piston diameter: 30mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (Cast, monoblock)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 865g
-Surface treatment: Anodized Titanium Gray / Anodized Black
-Built-in dust seal

A shape with excellent balance was born as a result of thoroughly eliminating unnecessary parts in order to reduce weight. Compared to conventional calipers, the piston and brake pad area has been slimmed down and the space occupied by brake fluid has been made more compact, resulting in a significant improvement in response. In addition, the overall reduction in external dimensions has resulted in a weight reduction of 7%.

M4 Caliper

Cast / Monoblock

Specifications
-Pitch: 100mm / 108mm
-Piston diameter: 34mm (same diameter 4-pot)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (Cast, monoblock)
-Weight (one side, including pad): 100mm approx. 1,015g / 108mm approx. 1,010g
-Surface treatment: Black anodized / Anodized titanium color / Painted fluorescent yellow / Painted red white logo / Painted red black logo
-Built-in dust seal

The monoblock technology of brake calipers that was successful in MotoGP in the 1990s is now available for the general public as a matter of course. M4 calipers are superior not only in their performance but also in their color lineup. The variety of paint colors used on supercars and other vehicles may become a trend on motorcycles as well!

Axial Mount Calipers

Axial mount 40mm pitch calipers have long been a standard in the custom motorcycle world. Although radial mounts are increasingly being used on current sport bikes, axial mounts are still in use! Some people purposefully choose them to match the atmosphere of the bike. By the way, although it seems like the same ones have been around for a long time, they have actually undergone model changes from time to time!

P4-40RR Caliper

CNC Machined / 2-piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 40mm
-Piston diameter: 30/34mm (4-pot with differing diameters)
-Piston material: Titanium
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 600g
-Surface treatment: Hard anodized
-No dust seal
-Other: Titanium bridge bolt/pad pin

This caliper is the highest class of axial mount 40mm pitch calipers, with titanium used in various parts. The body is made of machined aluminum with all excess parts shaved off, and with the piston, pad pin, and bridge bolt made of titanium, the caliper weighs only 600g including the pad. This is an astounding weight reduction of 180g compared to the standard model!

P4-40RB Caliper

CNC Machined / 2-piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 40mm
-Piston diameter: 30/34mm (4-pot with differing diameters)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (CNC machined, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 780g
-Surface treatment: Black anodized

This is a standard version with an axial machined body. The price is reasonable because the titanium parts have been returned to standard specifications. Although the weight is a little heavier than titanium, it is still about 100g lighter than the cast body type!

P4-40C Caliper

Cast / 2-Piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 40mm
-Piston diameter: 30/34mm (4-pot with differing diameters)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (Cast, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 880g
-Surface treatment: Anodized

Axial 40mm pitch introductory model. The Italian flag is painted as an accent point. This is a low-priced cast body model, but it is a solid Brembo.

P4-40R Caliper

Cast / 2-Piece

Specifications
-Pitch: 40mm
-Piston diameter: 30/34mm (4-pot with differing diameters)
-Piston material: Aluminum
-Body material: Aluminum alloy (Cast, 2-piece)
-Weight (one side, including pad): Approx. 880g
-Surface treatment: Anodized

This is the lowest-priced model in the current axial 40mm pitch lineup. After undergoing a minor model change, this is the current model. This might be the first thing that comes to mind for many people when they think of Brembo 40mm.

There's a lot to consider when choosing a caliper

Take a look at the brake calipers on your own bike

(1) Which mounting method, radial or axial?
(2) What is the mounting pitch?
(3) What is your main use? Street? Track events? Hardcore racing?

There are many things to ask yourself. For those with axial mounts, it is also important to know if caliper supports that can be installed are available! Consult with your bike, your needs, and your wallet to find the best caliper!