Brembo 19x18 vs. 19x20
 

So while up at Bogie the past couple of days, I had a chance to ride another gix just like mine that had a 19x18 master, and omg what a difference over stock. Don't get me wrong my brakes are pretty good, but that initial bite with the Brembo was just awesome. Now onto the specs, I know the 19x18 seems to be the popular choice, but I can get a pretty good deal on a new 19x20. Looking for some input on the differences.

The 19X20 will have a slightly mushier lever then the 19X18. Still better then stock though.

Mushier? How so? This is off the yoyodyne site:

If I understand this right, the 20 is more bite but takes more effort to pull? :confused:

I'm trying to remember... I'd say yoyodyne knows more then me. Which # is the bore and which is the stroke? I'm thinkin bore X stroke. In which case I was wrong. The longer stroke model will move more fluid faster and provide a stiffer brake lever. Shorter stroke model provides more feel (aka slightly mushier lever).

Do you keep the lever close to the bar? If so a stiff lever may work better for you.

Right off the yoyodyne website:

The 19x18 cylinder has better modulation, given its marginally longer
operating travel when compared to the 19x20, which on the other hand
offers a slightly quicker response.

As a general rule, the 19x18 is recommended for bikes with 4-piston calipers
(diameters 32/36, 34/34 and 30/34), whereas the 19x20 is more suitable for
other calipers.

Brembo experience favors 19x18 for track, and 19x20 for street.


My words:

The important thing is the ratio of surface area between the master
cylinder and the slave cylinders. Switching to a smaller diameter master
cylinder will be "touchier" at the lever, because it will be easier to create
the same amount of force on a smaller surface area.

An easy example:
10 lbs on 1 square inch = 10 PSI
10 lbs on 1/10 square inch = 100 PSI

I have a 19x18 on my Honda CBR 929 and I love it. The gix may get one someday...

That's my understanding, too, that the lever is harder to pull on the 19x20 and has less travel, whilst the 19x18 has a lighter pull with more travel.

Hey, get the best of both worlds...they make one that's adjustable, so you can have both and switch between them as you see fit! :)

What type of pads are you running? If you're still running stock try some aftermarket pads like vesrahs if you want more bite.

I had the 19 x 20 master on my suzuki, I liked it. Wouldn't say it makes you faster, just the feel of it is firmer so you get the sense you can brake later/harder. Ironic thing is it slowed me down at first when I got it cause I was braking too hard. The fold up design is pretty nice so when you crash on it you dont snap you're lever. All said and done though save yourself the $$$ and try to find a yamaha r6/r1 master cylinder (oem they're brembo). Before I got rid of my suzuki I had a chance to do a side by side comparison with the 06 r1, both bikes had ss lines and motul rbf600 brake fluid, firmness and feel the pull felt the same.

Running the EBC HH GFA LC's, RBF600 w/SS lines. The set up is really good, I can't complain. But, when I tried basically the same bike w/a Brembo, it was that much better. Like you said, it gave that perception that I could brake later and less even...bit of a confidence boost if you will.

Hey Joe,
I had the 19X18 on my old bike and loved it. It was the first thing I did on the new bike as well. No need for any more stopping power than that. I am aslo using Vesrah SRJL pads. Do yourself a favor and try the upgrade to these pads as Stiffie mentioned. This combo can stop a freight train.

What kind of brake pads did the other bike have?I had a chance to ride Pawel's GSXR 600 with stock master and versrah pads and his brakes felt better then mine Brembo master and performance friction pads.But my pads are progresive and need a little warm up and his got a great bite right of the bat.I still go with the progressive pads since they feel better when I try to go fast :)

RJL's

That's why you felt the difference,it wasn't master as much as the pads

I've used RJL's before, with a stock master...the Brembo makes a big difference for sure. I have the 19x18 on order.

But you tried on SV right? I'm sure you won't be dissapointed,MC is the only upgrade on my bike :)

Wait, you don't have suspension, rearsets, etc.?