Often everyone speaks about going fast on a motorcycle. The bar-talks usually start with horsepower numbers and end with lap-time boasting. But seldom do we realise that between the process of going fast and staying safe, the key is being able to come to a halt, quickly. And brakes are the sole component responsible for the job. So amidst all the thrust-bumping paraphernalia comprising of power-commanders, full system exhausts and NASA-sourced turbos, it is a good idea to invest in quality brake systems.

When a manufacturer designs a motorcycle, components like brakes are designed to do the job well but also factor in longevity and costs. So there is always room for improvement if you take your motorcycling seriously. For an average user, the OE components will work just as fine. But if you are the one to push the limits of your machine and your own skillset, it is strongly advised that you spend just as much on improving the brakes as you would on improving engine performance.

There are plenty of after-market braking solutions that improve overall braking performance. One of the first upgrade is to get better brake pads. As mentioned previously, the road-going stock brake pads have to adhere to limitations of production costs and ownership costs for average user. That translates into various types of braking issues when you try to push the brakes to their full potential. For instance, some brakes may show early signs of fade or dull feedback under hard braking.

So investing in high-quality brake pads that do not change their behaviour after reaching higher temperatures or under excessive braking forces – means you are able to confidently ride hard and fast knowing that the situation is under your control and not at the mercy of a poor-performing component on the motorcycle.

Brakes are key to staying safe on the bike. Ironically, they are also responsible for the rider to go fast. Funny isn’t it? Let me explain. You see, when the rider is confident that his brakes are working to their full capacity, it allows the rider to push his own limits with that much more conviction. If the brakes are under-performing, the rider is bound and forced to limit how many chances he will take or how hard he will push the machine for desired results. So in order to go fast, it is essential you are also able to come to a stop, fast.

About the Author:- Varad More

Having built a reputation as one of the quickest and most talented motorcycle journalists in the business, Varad is a dyed in the wool biker. On the pulse of everything on two wheels, nationally and internationally, Varad dedicates his weekends to honing his motorcycle riding skills.