Review of disc rotor and brake pad replacement: Brembo SERIE ORO

• MT-09

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Brembo brake systems as a maintenance option

My name is Yasuo and I'm a member of the team here at Webike. My MT-09 is now 6 years old and I'm concerned about the wear and tear around the brakes. I would like to do some customization, but first of all, I need to do the proper maintenance on those consumable parts. When I was considering replacing the stock disc rotors, our buyer in charge of custom parts recommended Brembo's Serie Oro series. I hadn't been thinking about Brembo as one of my options because I thought they were too expensive. However, when I heard about the features of this series, I decided to consider them, and the addition of an MT-09 compatible version gave me that final push.

Time to replace the disc rotors and brake pads!

Model: Yamaha MT-09 (2017)

Parts used for this project:
Front disc rotors x 2
Front brake pads x 2 sets
Rear disc rotor x 1
Rear brake pads x 1 set

*While we're at it, why not replace the disc mounting bolts too!
Front disc bolt → Stock: 90109-064G6 Unit price 110 JPY ⇒ Torx: 90149-06045 Unit price 132 JPY × 10 pcs
Rear disc bolt → Stock: 90109-08045 Unit price 242 JPY ⇒ Torx: 90149-08010 Unit price 253 JPY × 5 pcs

Since they are part of the unsprung weight and are subject to a large amount of rotational inertia, the stock hex bolts have a shallow head, which made me a bit concerned about the effectiveness of my tools. The Torx bolts are stock for the YZF-R6 and other models. I recommend them because they are almost the same price and don't strip easily!

Tools used for this project: MT-09

6mm hexagon socket (stock rotor bolts and pinch bolts)
14mm hexagon socket (axle shaft)
T40 Torx socket (for YZF-R6 bolts)
12mm socket (caliper)
Radio pliers (pad pins and beta pins)

5mm hexagon socket (pad pins)
6mm hexagon socket (stock rotor bolts and pinch bolts)
8mm hexagon socket (caliper rear)
14mm socket (caliper front)
27mm socket (axle nut)
12mm wrench x 2 (chain adjustment)
Flat head screwdriver (pad pin cover)

In addition, grease, thread sealant, various torque wrenches, ratchet wrench, spinner handle, T-handle, and front and rear maintenance stands were used.

Always be extra careful

Since the brakes are a very important component, when doing work yourself it should always be done under the supervision of an experienced person or left to a professional. (In this case, the author used to be a mechanic at a dealership.) Also, for information on tightening torque, etc., refer to the information in the service manual.

The steps for rotor replacement are: Loosen the disc bolts ⇒ jack up the bike ⇒ remove the caliper ⇒ remove the wheel ⇒ replace the rotor. When installing the rotor, tighten the bolts on the opposite side of the wheel rotation to ensure proper contact surface. For this project, the pads were also replaced with Serie Oro pads. Cleaning and lubricating of the pad pins and pistons went smoothly because the distance riden from the previous pad replacement was not that far. It can be difficult to loosen the original discs that came with a brand new bike due to over-torque, the use of thread locker, age, and the hex bolts. This time, a heat gun and electric impact wrench were necessary to loosen 4 out of the 15 front and rear bolts.

Impression of ride performance

This time, the discs and pads were replaced at the same time. In other words, I was able to break in the contact surfaces as if they were new, so the bite came early. The front discs were in their element after about 50km on the street, and the rear disc after about 100km. The first impression I had during and after the replacement was the change in appearance! The rear is almost the same design as stock, so it doesn't stand out as having been replaced, but the front somehow gives off a feeling of having been upgraded. This quality improvement makes you proud to be the bike's owner. The inner rotor shape of the stock front disc is a bit cheap, and Brembo upgrades that look even though the price range is not that much higher. The subtle Brembo logo is also a nice touch. More than as a part for customization, I am 100% satisfied with this as a choice for upgrading when replacing consumable parts.

Regarding functionality, it is not realistic to try to use these discs to their full potential just riding on the street. Even with the stock discs and stock pads, the MT-09 had sufficient feeling and performance with no complaints. And since this replacement was done for maintenance due to wear, the difference in performance before and after the replacement can't be compared fairly. Even so, I have the impression that the brakes work better than with the stock new discs and pads combination. This is probably due to the characteristics of the pads rather than the discs. Since they don't work like a switch, they are not difficult to use. Moreover, the way the braking force rises when you grip a little harder seems slightly higher than with the stock pads.

I have not been able to test their resistance to fade when overheated and the lifespan is still unknown, but I expect that with the tradeoff of the greater thickness of abrasion material and the greater effectiveness, that they will be able to last the same distance as the stock pads. Since they don't have sharp racing specs that also confirms their ease of handling for street riding and lack of temperature dependence. Up until now I have tried a number of aftermarket pads, and have found that stock pads are quite well balanced but somewhat expensive. Brembo's Serie Oro series pads can be cheaper than stock depending on the model, and the fact that they give your brakes an upgrade makes them a cost-effective option.

In conclusion

The fact that Brembo has a wide lineup of flagship racing calipers, master cylinders, and racing discs, and the image of their parts being used in high-performance models may give the impression that their products are high-priced. The Serie Oro series introduced here combines durability, performance, and quality with a price range that is suitable for those who mainly ride on the streets, and they are easily affordable for those who want a bit of an upgrade or a different choice when replacing worn stock rotors. In other words, they are custom parts that can be used for maintenance while also adding a bit of an upgrade.