Brembo GP Calipers & HPK rotors

Brembo are finally shipping the GP4-RX calipers in the USA.

For those interested in these GP Calipers for the road/track use you should indeed look at GP4-RX, for pure race you may want to get the GP4-RR.

You do not need the spacer kit for these calipers, however the effects related to the traction control (sensor) are not known.

I will more than likely throw these on the 1098 first (due to having Brembo RCS ) as I can get another set for the 1199 when the traction control issue has been clarified. If folks are interested I will craft a review, etc.

Pic of mine attached.

can't see why the calipers as such would infulence the tcs or abs..

the sensor shoudl not be much of an issue it justs counts slots in the ring.. the disks must hold this ring however..

CaliDuc said:

Brembo are finally shipping the GP4-RX calipers in the USA.

For those interested in these GP Calipers for the road/track use you should indeed look at GP4-RX, for pure race you may want to get the GP4-RR.

You do not need the spacer kit for these calipers, however the effects related to the traction control (sensor) are not known.

I will more than likely throw these on the 1098 first (due to having Brembo RCS ) as I can get another set for the 1199 when the traction control issue has been clarified. If folks are interested I will craft a review, etc.

Pic of mine attached.

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Man, you just can't resist the nice little boxes filled with shinny go-faster parts

Xbox said:

Man, you just can't resist the nice little boxes filled with shinny go-faster parts

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these look a bit like 'go much slower fast' parts to me

kope999R said:

these look a bit like 'go much slower fast' parts to me

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Kope - Are you going full floater on your bike?

Xbox said:

Man, you just can't resist the nice little boxes filled with shinny go-faster parts

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Indeed

These ended up on my 1098 S Tricolore.

My intent was to complete the entire GP braking system (full floater), in addition the nickel plated calipers matched my rear chromed sprocket.

This turned out to be quite a complex modification and ended up requiring a lot of bandwidth.

The GP4-RX calipers I received were one of the first set available in California and were not present in any of the Brembo catalogs, the supplier actually provided a picture of an earlier set (which looked exactly the same as the Calipers on the 1199), so the set I received did not match the set I thought I was buying so that consumed a lot of time as I had them put on the bike then removed for return, then Brembo confirmed that they are the correct ones for the bike, so back on they went.

As I had Pro-Bolt gold titanium caliper pins, I had to retain the spacers, although reverse the positioning.

Two techies from Ducati NA visited the shop fitting the calipers to provide technical assistance, at the same time I was having the Ducati Course WSBK slipper clutch aluminum basket and then aluminum plates fitted.

Due to the physical design of the GP4-RX calipers I could no longer use my Bremzen stainless steel brakes lines ( even though the supplier insisted that I could ). So, Ducati NA inspected the bike and recommend custom GP brake lines be made and fitted. Time passed as the well known GP brake line manufacturer had never seen this type of Brembo GP4-RX calipers ?!? The custom lines arrived and were fitted.

If one does a little research then you will understand the issues related to the TC sensor. I am not going to replicate Brembo's official line here.

The experience was akin to taking a cold shower and ripping up $100 bills.

Seeing it all through, the work was completed.

Was it worth it - YES.

Combined with the slipper clutch the upgraded GP Brembo braking system is magnificent, you can actually feel the brakes much sharper and much smoother than before, it is a completely different experience to the sudden braking of the prior monoblocks.

With regard to the 1199, no way I will be fitting the Brembo GP4-RX on the 1199 - why .. issues related to the TC sensor on the 1199 and for general all round use I feel the current Brembo monoblocks on the 1199 are great. I would however fit Brembo T Rotors ( when available ) and upgrade the Caliper braking pads on the 1199.

Photo attached.

hey caliduc - I am undertaking this change in the next couple weeks. It's a lot of work so it will be interesting. I believe jerel replaced his with the .484 which is the same caliper as the gp4-rx but without the nickel finish. The T-rotors are not out for the 1199 yet (afaik), but the HPK rotors are. The traction control will require the oem ring to be fitted to the HPK I believe.

switching out the rotors, calipers, and master cylinders, and lines. I have a bit more complexity because I have ABS, so will require custom brake lines from the mc to the abs valve and then to the calipers. Also the GP4rx has a slight angle change than the stock m50 calipers. Will be interesting project to say the least.

The m50 calipers are pretty good, but I like the brembo master cylinder and the feel that I am used to from before.

anthem said:

hey caliduc - I am undertaking this change in the next couple weeks. It's a lot of work so it will be interesting. I believe jerel replaced his with the .484 which is the same caliper as the gp4-rx but without the nickel finish. The T-rotors are not out for the 1199 yet (afaik), but the HPK rotors are. The traction control will require the oem ring to be fitted to the HPK I believe.

switching out the rotors, calipers, and master cylinders, and lines. I have a bit more complexity because I have ABS, so will require custom brake lines from the mc to the abs valve and then to the calipers. Also the GP4rx has a slight angle change than the stock m50 calipers. Will be interesting project to say the least.

The m50 calipers are pretty good, but I like the brembo master cylinder and the feel that I am used to from before.

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Good for you. Your assessment regarding the work required is spot on. I would be *very* interested in your finding vs mono blocks. The GP4-RX also has a combined two piece bleed nipple and bango bolt (on mine I have pro-bolt gold titanium) and as you correctly state there is indeed a caliper angle change.

I also added an upper evotech radiator grill (to complement the bottom) as I was concerned about the GP lines hitting the radiator. In the end the techies wrapped them around the forks which has worked out well. So, depending on placement of your GP lines then you may or may not need an upper radiator grill on the 1199.

I also prefer the Brembo RCS Master Cylinders, nice bite to them and very adjustable.

The brembo HPK rotors are outstanding, I am wondering what the T rotors would be like and similar to you AFAIK they are not on the market yet.

The biggest difference I noted (again on the 1098) was the upgraded braking system is near perfect for riding on twisties.

One last note .. I did *not* install all the thermal measurement stickers for the rotors nor calipers.

Good luck and pics and notes of your build is appreciated.

While a great floater, the T rotors awfully noisy for riding around town. A buddy has them and sounds like the rear end on a car going out.

Trauma said:

While a great floater, the T rotors awfully noisy for riding around town. A buddy has them and sounds like the rear end on a car going out.

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Good to know. Additional question on my mind is could the T rotors be heard over a full Termi ?

CaliDuc said:

Good to know. Additional question on my mind is could the T rotors be heard over a full Termi ?

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Not owning either, I am not qualified to respond!

Better picture ..

CaliDuc said:

Good to know. Additional question on my mind is could the T rotors be heard over a full Termi ?

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Helluva good question as I have heard they rattle like hell as well. I have never used t-rotors either so interesting to know. Hpk rotors are pretty damn nice as well -though I am always torn between the z04 or ferodo pads ....

I think the CL C59s are a good pick, when I was looking at the HPs.

Is this an upgrade you need? Aren't the Brembos on the bike good? Pricey upgrade. Cool but pricey. Isn't the Pani supposed to have great componentry?

MUNDMAN said:

Is this an upgrade you need? Aren't the Brembos on the bike good? Pricey upgrade. Cool but pricey. Isn't the Pani supposed to have great componentry?

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Great OEM componentry. Top end aftermarket parts will generally always outperform factory spec parts. For instance :
- Ohlins makes several front forks that are way better than the factory ohlins.
-Marchesini makes magnesium wheels that are lighter (although you could make an argument against magnesium)
-brembo has much better rotors (what we are discussing), master cylinders (3 models 'better' levels than stock, and rotors (hpk)
-there are better levers out there
-better pegs (rearset upgrade)
-better exhaust (even than termis - like the new akras
-better brake lines if you wanted to go down that path
-tuned Ecus that reduce heat and have better fueling

List is endless ....

Very similar to my setup:



I'll echo the comments above, the stock Panigale brakes are very, very good already, best on the market of any bike I've ridden. However, they're still limited in that they're designed for a street bike that can also be ridden on the track. The full Brembo racing setup with master cyclinder, calipers and rotors, will provide even greater braking power and more precise feel at the limits of braking that you may experience on the track (hopefully!).

jarelj said:

Very similar to my setup:

I'll echo the comments above, the stock Panigale brakes are very, very good already, best on the market of any bike I've ridden. However, they're still limited in that they're designed for a street bike that can also be ridden on the track. The full Brembo racing setup with master cyclinder, calipers and rotors, will provide even greater braking power and more precise feel at the limits of braking that you may experience on the track (hopefully!).

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I see you have found the .484 Brembo calipers
Made for the custom market and now with a matching rear too.

Those are beautiful calipers.

Desmo Dave said:

I see you have found the .484 Brembo calipers
Made for the custom market and now with a matching rear too.

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Yeah, I thought the black was a cool look, something a little different, and basically the same internally as the GP4-RX, they work great!