Why Radial-mounted brake calipers

mdcparts.be supermoto supermotard Radial-mount brake calipers

Why radial-mounted brake calipers?

Difference
The difference between radial- and axial-mount, or “old fashioned” brakes, boils down to how they’re mounted to the fork. Radial calipers are secured with bolts that run parallel to the discs, while axial-mount brakes are held in place with bolts that are perpendicular to the discs, parallel to the axle. 

Alignement
Radial-mount calipers provide better caliper-to-disc alignment since the caliper body is centered over the disc using locating dowels rather than sliding pins as on an axial setup.


Rigide
Radial calipers are also more rigide since the caliper is secured at both ends rather than at just one end as is common on axial calipers. 

That improved alignment and rigidity can provide better bite, more stopping power and improved feel under aggressive braking, which is especially important stuff to supermoto.

Disc change
Radial calipers makes it easier to change disc sizes since all you need to do is swap out the caliper spacers to accommodate larger or smaller discs. Supermoto may run 300mm, 305mm, 310mm or 320mm discs depending on the wheel size, track, conditions and rider, and swapping out discs wouldn’t be nearly as quick and easy with axial-mount calipers.