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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
I have a Motostuff V2 and a bunch of Ride Engineering V2 calipers (thanks Langhammx + Sandy!). I also have a variety of master cylinders (Brembos, 2007+ Hondas), CoreMoto stainless steel brake lines, a variety of 270mm and 280mm Motostuff rotors, and ARC Powerlevers with multiple leverage ratios to fine tune engagement and modulation.
If you're in no hurry, ping me in a few months and I may have some answers.
No doubt there will be some awesome configurations here and I'll be splitting hairs on what's best, but I've always wondered as well, so I am going to put this question to bed for myself once and for all. I'll likely sell whatever I don't keep (likely 4-5 complete front brake systems).
Also note that ARC is coming out with and very unique, *likely* game-changing master cylinder soon. It will be in the $500 price range and available in a few months. If I wasn't so far into this experiment, that is where I'd likely start. Here's a snippet of what is to come:
https://m.vitalmx.com/videos/features/First-Look-ARC-Master-Cylinders-D…
Given this ^^^, your question is quite timely. 🙃
It was one of the few aftermarket upgrades that was worth the asking price and was immediately noticeable and better.
That rmz450 went from feeling like the brakes weren’t nearly enough to get her stopped, to being on par with brembos. It had a light lever pull great modulation and tons of power.
yZ133rider - I'm currently running 270mm rotors and that's been an improvement, especially with fade. I'm wondering how much more can be gained with either caliper.
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The caliper even though it’s more expensive it’s much more noticeable to me. It was a 10/10 improvement for me, on that rmz. The caliper and braking cm46 pads was all I needed on the rmz. I didn’t do oversized rotor or stainless line and it was NIGHT AND DAY better, seriously.
Another thing you might consider this the ARC Powerlever:
https://arclevers.com/index.php?route=information/insert_levers
This product is VERY unique and seems to have taken my late model YZ450F with a stock front brake up to the next level. I've purchased mine on eBay for ~ $105 new, shipped (MSRP = $135).
I'm on a 20 crf250r, and 21 crf450r both the same brake setup as my baseline. As of now I only have the 270 rotors, still looking for more performance / prolonged performance / consistency.
Since you've got 20 & 21 CRFs, I would contact Motostuff about your OEM brake calipers. I could be wrong, but I *think* the 2019+ Honda CRF front brake calipers have different sized pistons (for better modulation) and *may* be cast versions of the HRC caliper Roczen uses that Motostuff copied with its V2 caliper product. If this is the case, you won't achieve a whole lot more benefit caliper-wise. Stainless steel lines, yes. 280mm rotor, yes. Specialty levers, yes. But you may be better situated than first thought as far as "awesome-ing up" your brake system.
FWIW - I have both 270mm and 280mm Motostuff rotors on my CRFs and I love them both, but prefer the 280mm unit for its feel. I can slow down better with more control and less effort.
Lastly, you might also try Maxima's High-temp Racing Brake Fluid. You may be due for a flush any way and some higher temp capability may help (you may be such a rider!). It's cheap and will rule out worn fluid + you'll bleed the system fully. Here's a peek:
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/maxima-hi-temp-racing-brake-fl…
One of the reviewers even said "...if you are having a fading problem, try this ^^^ before you throw more money like parts at the bike."
It stops very well, but I was expecting a far more progressive feel.
More to come, but so far I'm feeling like it's wash relative to the stock Honda caliper.
Steup:
(1) 2017 Honda OEM master cylinder
(2) Core Moto stainless steel line
(3) 280mm Motostuff rotor and relocation bracket (have this same setup with a stock caliper to test side-by-side, so I know exactly what this feels like - and I like it)
(4) ARC Memlon lever (not Powerlever yet)
(5) Honda OEM brake pads
(6) Honda Pro Honda DOT 4 brake fluid
The only difference between my 2 setups is the Ride Engineering V2 caliper.
P.S. I hope to try out the Motostuff V2 caliper over Christmas break as well, weather permitting. I will also bring the stock system to compare again. A 3fer!
You can also get the rear caliper.
https://www.moto-master.com/mxc-caliper-factory-edition/
But then again, I would love to try the set of calipers from moto master.
I had a TM with Brembo calipers and Nissin master cyliders and that setup was very good and would not mind at all to have that setup on a japanese bike.
Edit: has anyone tried the ride engineering caliper with stock rotors?
(1) https://www.keeferinctesting.com/offroad-testing/2018/6/19/ride-enginee…
(2) https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/rm-rider-exchange/tested-and-tried-r…
I really liked this overview article, too:
https://www.keeferinctesting.com/offroad-testing
Point I'm getting at is maybe the difference you are feeling is partly/mostly due to pad difference or maybe you could soften up the bite on the newer bike with less aggressive pads.
Another trick I've heard people talk about to lessen and smooth the initial bite is to chamfer the leading edge of the brake pads slightly. Never tried it myself, but maybe worth a try.
(1) The Ride Engineering V2 caliper on a late-model YZ250F, using a 280mm Motostuff rotor with stock Honda pads, a CoreMoto stainless steel brake line, 2012 CRF450R Nissin master cylinder and ARC Memlon standard lever (not the PowerLever) is A LOT of brake. A LOT. At current time I am leaning toward the OEM setup for woods riding running a standard ARC Memlon lever (non PowerLever). It was a bit more "mountain bike-ish" as an OEM setup, which I really liked for this bike.
(2) The Ride Engineering V2 caliper on a 2008 CRF450R, using a 280mm Motostuff rotor with stock Honda pads, a CoreMoto stainless steel brake line, 2017 CRF450R Nissin master cylinder and ARC Memlon PowerLever (with multiple leverage ratios) is a very powerful, progressive brake. Did I say powerful?! On a 450F, I really like this setup now, especially when I set up my lever such that I can rest my index finger at the lever's elbow. It's quite nice, not too grabby, and just REALLY REALLY good stopping power. This setup on the 450F = cat's meow.
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My next experiment/comparison, all on a 2020 YZ450F, will be:
(1) MotoStuff V2 caliper with CoreMoto stainless line and Honda master cylinder
(2) Late-model KTM Brembo caliper with CoreMoto stainless line and Brembo master cylinder (Luxon MX is fabricating Yamaha YZF adapter brackets for this application now)
(3) Ride Engineering V2 caliper as described above (transferred to the YZ450 to see how it is on a much heavier bike)
(4) OEM Yamaha front-brake system
I will try a mix of 270mm and 280mm rotors as well as ARC Memlon levers in standard and PowerLever versions. Note that the reason I like the Memlon material is that it adds to the "progressive" feel of the brake actuation, in my opinion, as well as takes abuse amazing well.
Pit Row
Is ANYONE making a caliper adaptor to fit Brembo KTM calipers to showa CRF USD forks?
This Seller sells the adapter bracket you seek for $250:
https://www.mxlocker.com/product/brembo-front-brake-caliper-complete-bo…
I asked him if $250 was a typo but he never responded.
https://www.omniaracing.net/en/brembo-racing-pf2x24-cross-front-brake-c…
About $273 shipped for the whole front setup.
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