Motorcycle Explorer July 2016 Issue 12 | Page 163

Brakes Working on the brakes has plenty of stopping power coming from a set of 320mm discs gripped by 2 pads and 4 pistons from Brembo at the front. The rear is supported by 265mm disc 2 piston floating system. Yes, that’s kind of the range these big bikes go for with no fancy petal design or anything of that nature. What you do get with the 16 grand Italian monster is cornering ABS, meaning that as part of the safety pack the system will allocate pressure on the front and rear even when over on a lean for a safer, smoother braking when and if needed. There are various degrees of brake technology depending on what riding system you apply. There is less dual braking in the sport mode and this is set for the touring and urban mapping where as the enduro option can take out the ABS to suit your needs. Vehicle Hold Control or as I knew it Hill Start Assist. The MST comes with a rather nice little feature on the ABS activation modes that applies the brakes at the rear for 9 seconds hands free. If you’re at a standstill, with the sidestand up and grip hard on the front brake or press hard on the rear brake lever then the brake sets on the rear wheel. You get a small square light on the dash telling you the brake is applied and flashes when it’s about to come off.