CHASSIS
DESIGN
Chassis Design
6-9
4) Race-proven Radial-mount Front Brake Calipers
(1) Front Brake Caliper
The new GSX-R1000 equips race-proven radial-mount front brake calipers. Front brake caliper
brand is TOKICO.
The radial-mount brake calipers increase the brake mounting's rigidity, resulting in increased
braking force.
The front brake calipers are mounted radially, that is, the two mounting sections on each caliper
are positioned symmetrically to the center of each caliper.
The mounting sections' wall thickness also translates into a strength member, that is, a load-
bearing member. Therefore, the calipers' rigidity toward the front axle is much higher, compared to
a conventional mount. As a result, the amount of distortion of each caliper toward the front axle
when braking is greatly reduced, by which the losses in brake force is reduced.
With the use of the highly rigid radial-mount brake calipers, the front brake calipers have been
changed from the opposed 6-piston type on the 2002 GSX-R1000 to an opposed 4-piston type on
the new GSX-R1000 -- braking force has been increased despite the smaller number of caliper
pistons. The radial-mount front 4-piston brake calipers on the new GSX-R1000 are 50 grams
lighter each (100 grams lighter in total) than the 6-piston brake calipers on the 2002 GSX-R1000.
The new GSX-R1000's two front disc brakes each have two 4-piston calipers, each with four
brake pads -- two on the right side, two on the left. The 2002 GSX-R1000's six-piston brake
calipers each had two pads, one on the left side of the brake disc and another on the right, just
like on any other sportbike. By comparison, the new GSX-R1000's front brake caliper has two
brake pads on either side, by which the warping of the brake pads caused by heat can be
reduced, compared to using one long brake pad on either side.
Front Caliper Specification Chart
New GSX-R1000
2002 GSX-R1000
Brake Caliper Brand
TOKICO
TOKICO
Brake Caliper Type
Opposed 4-piston
Opposed 6-piston
Mounting Type
Radial
Conventional
Caliper Piston Diameter
30mm / 30mm
24mm / 27mm / 27mm
Caliper Piston Materials
Aluminum Alloy
Aluminum Alloy
Weight Reduction by Calipers
100g in total
-
Number of Brake Pads on One Side
4
2
2003 GSX-R1000 Brake Caliper
2003 GSX-R1000 Brake Caliper
