2019 YZ 250F Weak front brake

brocsdad
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brocsdad
Edited Date/Time 2/25/2022 12:36am
I picked up a my son a 19 YZ 250F and the bike is amazing right off the showroom floor. The only thing is the front brake is kind of mushy. I did bleed it and it's better but still not great.

Suggestions / Opinions?

Thanks!
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SmokinJoe439 9/9/2019 2:01pm
9/9/2019 2:01pm Edited Date/Time 9/9/2019 2:04pm
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of the lever just buy the Honda rebuild kit.

Much cheaper than buying a whole different caliper and or master cylinder.
And I like to use motoul rbf600 brake fluid.
2
Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 9/9/2019 2:20pm
9/9/2019 2:20pm

Not sure on the current set up for a 2019 YZ250F, but I'm running a 2014 YZ250F front end on my KX500 and this combo was the fix:

Ride Engineering front brake line.

RBF600 brake fluid, as Smokin Joe mentioned.

And a Motostuff 280mm rotor.

If it can stop a KX500, it'll stop a YZ250F!

Good luck!
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Doddy
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Doddy 9/9/2019 2:35pm
9/9/2019 2:35pm
If it's the same brakes as my 19 YZ250, weak is an understatement. I suggest you get a steel braided brake line and start there. That was enough for mine. Massive improvement.
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Mm471
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Mm471 9/9/2019 2:39pm
9/9/2019 2:39pm
Brembo masters off eBay are a big improvement

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crowe176
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crowe176 9/9/2019 5:35pm
9/9/2019 5:35pm
There's some good info in the build section and Keefer did a write up on upgrading the master cylinder and caliper with older yam/ktm parts with part numbers and where to get them cheap (ebay etc)
Herb Eaversmells 9/9/2019 6:43pm
9/9/2019 6:43pm
From Keefer

5-Front Brake: The Yamaha front brake is not the best of the bunch when it comes to stopping power, but there is a modification you can do to make it insanely good (besides just throwing an oversize rotor on). If you want increased stopping power without the grabby feel, purchase an older Yamaha caliper (that had bigger pistons/part number shown) and an older KTM Brembo master cylinder (part number shown) while using your current 2019 YZ450F brake line and feel the magic coming into corners. You will be able to brake later and modulate the front brake better in shallow ruts than you can with the current front brake. This set up is also much more linear and less grabby than just throwing on an oversize front rotor as well. Just make sure to purchase the stock KTM banjo bolts and use your current 2019 YZ450F front brake carrier.
2
cablecable 9/9/2019 9:51pm
9/9/2019 9:51pm
if it mushy prob still got some air in it, zip tie the lever in and leave it over night makes a huge difference every time ive done it
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Fresh
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Fresh 9/10/2019 2:07am
9/10/2019 2:07am
Welcome to Yamaha's.

My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's as well as improving feel. Next a stainless braided line and some high quality fluid and you'll be set.

unfortunatly I've had to make these changes on all my yamaha's.
brocsdad
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brocsdad 9/10/2019 7:50am
9/10/2019 7:50am
cablecable wrote:
if it mushy prob still got some air in it, zip tie the lever in and leave it over night makes a huge difference every time...
if it mushy prob still got some air in it, zip tie the lever in and leave it over night makes a huge difference every time ive done it
I bled the crap out it and it was still kinda mushy.

I also did the rubber band trick overnight and it was better but not great. I don't remember the YZ 125 being this bad??? Though my friend just bought one and had the same issue.
brocsdad
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brocsdad 9/10/2019 8:11am
9/10/2019 8:11am
Fresh wrote:
Welcome to Yamaha's. My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's...
Welcome to Yamaha's.

My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's as well as improving feel. Next a stainless braided line and some high quality fluid and you'll be set.

unfortunatly I've had to make these changes on all my yamaha's.
So can you bolt up the Honda Master Cylinder? I'm not sure what year will work.

I have a brake setup in my garage from a 2007 CR 125 but I'm not sure it will work. I've never taken the brakes completely apart before on any bike. Well I never had to.
SmokinJoe439 9/10/2019 8:25am
9/10/2019 8:25am
You've never taken a master cylinder apart? Wow so my post probably made no sense to you sad.
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brocsdad
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brocsdad 9/10/2019 8:32am
9/10/2019 8:32am Edited Date/Time 9/10/2019 8:33am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
You've never taken a master cylinder apart? Wow so my post probably made no sense to you sad.
Correct...

I have rebuilt motors, adjusted valves and all the normal stuff but I have never taken the brakes apart. Like I said I never had to.

I did rebuild a KTM 65 rear mater cylinder but a friend helped with that one.

If I did buy the Honda plunger what year part # etc.
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Hudd_421
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Hudd_421 9/10/2019 8:38am
9/10/2019 8:38am
A master cylinder is the perch/reservoir on your handlebar. Caliper is what's mounted on your fork leg. There really shouldn't be an issue mounting any other manufactures' master cylinder on any other brand. Sometimes brake line routing may be an issue, but that's it.

My question is, for band for your buck factor: what will make the biggest impact? Brembo Master Cylinder, or Older Yamaha Caliper? I'd like to only buy one, and get the other if I still have some stopping power to be desired
1
grimsypro 9/10/2019 8:42am
9/10/2019 8:42am
Have they changed the brake setup for the 2020s? just wondering as mine seems to have awesome stopping power, this is compared to my 07 yz 250 though which was pretty spongey!
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loftyair
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loftyair 9/10/2019 8:43am
9/10/2019 8:43am
Bleed real good, using motul 800.
Take pads off and scoure. Also clean disc real good with brake cleaner.
Then steel braided brake line.
Then master.
Then caliper.
Then o/s brake.
Then get a ktm.
3
baxterj787
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baxterj787 9/10/2019 9:10am
9/10/2019 9:10am
YZs have used a floating rotor beginning in 2001. I have never liked the vague feel of the floating rotor. Galfer makes a solid rotor that provides a better feel IMO (all other parts being equal).
1
Asselstine 9/10/2019 9:27am
9/10/2019 9:27am
Ferrandis runs almost 100% stock front brake. I believe it's all stock minus a braking oversize rotor and a mod to the lever adjuster to bring it in even closer.
needforspeed78 9/10/2019 9:37am
9/10/2019 9:37am Edited Date/Time 9/10/2019 9:38am
grimsypro wrote:
Have they changed the brake setup for the 2020s? just wondering as mine seems to have awesome stopping power, this is compared to my 07 yz...
Have they changed the brake setup for the 2020s? just wondering as mine seems to have awesome stopping power, this is compared to my 07 yz 250 though which was pretty spongey!
Yes, they changed the front caliber for next years model. 2020 YZ450 Front brake is good, almost feels as good as 2019-> 450 Honda. You can change the fluid, hose, disc, but IMO easiest and only proper way to fix it in older models is to buy 2020 front caliber B2W-2580T-00(200$ ish).
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Sheriff245 9/10/2019 10:57am
9/10/2019 10:57am
I have been riding Yamaha's on and off since 2002. On all of them I replaced the front brake hose with a braided steel line. It drastically improves the feel and braking power is improved also. I suggest starting from there as it's a cheap and easy mod and go from there.
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Fresh
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Fresh 9/10/2019 7:41pm
9/10/2019 7:41pm
Fresh wrote:
Welcome to Yamaha's. My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's...
Welcome to Yamaha's.

My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's as well as improving feel. Next a stainless braided line and some high quality fluid and you'll be set.

unfortunatly I've had to make these changes on all my yamaha's.
brocsdad wrote:
So can you bolt up the Honda Master Cylinder? I'm not sure what year will work. I have a brake setup in my garage from a...
So can you bolt up the Honda Master Cylinder? I'm not sure what year will work.

I have a brake setup in my garage from a 2007 CR 125 but I'm not sure it will work. I've never taken the brakes completely apart before on any bike. Well I never had to.
I think the Master Cylinder I have is a 2008, but most years work, the MC's haven't changed for a while. I transfer it to all my new bikes, at the moment its on my 2008 yz125.

You have to buy a stainless steel front line for a honda though. The routing is different.

The plunger idea is cool, i guess. But man the honda levers are really really nice.
adam8781
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adam8781 2/25/2020 5:08pm
2/25/2020 5:08pm Edited Date/Time 2/25/2020 5:09pm
Fresh wrote:
Welcome to Yamaha's. My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's...
Welcome to Yamaha's.

My front brake setup on my 18 yz250f was a honda master cylinder, the stock honda brake lever is much nicer than yamaha's as well as improving feel. Next a stainless braided line and some high quality fluid and you'll be set.

unfortunatly I've had to make these changes on all my yamaha's.
runnng stock yzf caliper with crf master?

ive tried

06yz master with 06yz caliper
08 master wirh 06 caliper

07 crf full front brake

honestly still not happy as i could be, maybe ill try that combo next i have all the parts here anyways, i have 2 different 270mm rotors for it and a 280 bracket if i decide toget a 280mm rotor as well
Vet57
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Vet57 2/25/2020 5:36pm
2/25/2020 5:36pm Edited Date/Time 2/25/2020 6:06pm
On mine I replaced the front brake line with a Galfer Stainless line and also added a solid rotor as well as their pads . I noticed a big improvement.
tobz
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tobz 8/23/2021 3:01am
8/23/2021 3:01am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of...
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of the lever just buy the Honda rebuild kit.

Much cheaper than buying a whole different caliper and or master cylinder.
And I like to use motoul rbf600 brake fluid.
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder?

My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019 yz250f) have slowly turned to shit, i'm looking for stronger brakes but i dont want to bang a oversize rotor on for an instant grabby brake.

I've bled the shit out of it and:


1
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tek14
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tek14 8/23/2021 5:16am
8/23/2021 5:16am
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of...
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of the lever just buy the Honda rebuild kit.

Much cheaper than buying a whole different caliper and or master cylinder.
And I like to use motoul rbf600 brake fluid.
tobz wrote:
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder? My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019...
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder?

My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019 yz250f) have slowly turned to shit, i'm looking for stronger brakes but i dont want to bang a oversize rotor on for an instant grabby brake.

I've bled the shit out of it and:


New brakeline and new pads. Feels new again with stock parts.
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Crash217 8/23/2021 5:23am
8/23/2021 5:23am
YFZ450 (yes the sport quad) front master cylinder with a shorty lever (because the stock lever is obnoxiously long).

HUGE power improvement over stock and you can grab that master cylinder off ebay for $30 and a cheap shorty lever for $10-15.

I first saw this mod years ago on a WR450 who's owner wanted more stopping power for his dual sported bike but didn't want to spend a couple hundred bucks on getting an oversized rotor or stainless line. It was a cheap middle ground and worked so shockingly well i've done it to a couple bikes since then. The master cylinder is kind of big on the dirtbikes, but once you get rid of the giant oem lever you don't notice it much and the it'll give 1 finger stoppies on the stock brake caliper/disk/line.
2
onewheelwheaties 8/23/2021 6:34am
8/23/2021 6:34am
tobz wrote:
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder? My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019...
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder?

My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019 yz250f) have slowly turned to shit, i'm looking for stronger brakes but i dont want to bang a oversize rotor on for an instant grabby brake.

I've bled the shit out of it and:


I have a '19 WR250F (same as '18 YZ250F) with the same issue. Brake has slowly gone to shit; I bleed it and put fresh pads but it barely made an improvement. Please share your opinion if you do the swap; otherwise I'm going with braided steel lines first.
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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 8/23/2021 7:33am
8/23/2021 7:33am
tobz wrote:
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder? My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019...
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder?

My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019 yz250f) have slowly turned to shit, i'm looking for stronger brakes but i dont want to bang a oversize rotor on for an instant grabby brake.

I've bled the shit out of it and:


I would think there is still air in the line somewhere. I’m curious about the Honda parts as well. I have a Suzuki and I would like to swap the plunger and lever to Honda style. Does anyone know if it will work for a 2020 RMZ?
MetricHotrods 8/23/2021 12:09pm
8/23/2021 12:09pm
The new front caliper uses a 24mm piston. Buy the older caliper that uses the 27mm piston. Bolts right on. It's a much bigger improvement than doing the master cylinder swap. Older Yamaha used em. They're all the same. It's the 27mm Nissin. Slide it on to your caliper hanger.
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Moto520 8/23/2021 12:33pm
8/23/2021 12:33pm
There are so many little tricks to try and bleed the line completely of air. The stock brake lines bubble out when they wear out. Steel braided line (as long as you are replacing it). Loftyair has the perfect advice:

Bleed real good, using motul 800.
Take pads off and scoure. Also clean disc real good with brake cleaner.
Then steel braided brake line.
Then master.
Then caliper.
Then o/s brake.
murph783
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murph783 8/23/2021 4:14pm
8/23/2021 4:14pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of...
Buy a Honda crf plunger setup for the front master cylinder. Yamaha uses a longer one than the Honda setup. It will change the feel of the lever just buy the Honda rebuild kit.

Much cheaper than buying a whole different caliper and or master cylinder.
And I like to use motoul rbf600 brake fluid.
tobz wrote:
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder? My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019...
Old thread but could you elaborate on this kit? Is it for a 2019 honda master cylinder?

My 2020 WR250F front brake (same bike as 2019 yz250f) have slowly turned to shit, i'm looking for stronger brakes but i dont want to bang a oversize rotor on for an instant grabby brake.

I've bled the shit out of it and:


Get rid of that lever and put a stock one on to start

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