YAMAHA MT-09: OLD RIDE GETS NEW RCB UPGRADES

There’s no slowing of innovation at RCB formally known as Racing Boy. The Malaysian-based aftermarket manufacturer introduced many aftermarket parts including suspensions, master brake pumps, steering dampers, brake callipers and rims for mopeds. But out of curiosity, I had some universal RCB partS installed on my 5-year-old Yamaha MT-09.

I had the RCB S1 master brake pump swapped with my Brembo master pump, (reused the Brembo brake reservoir tank as the out of the box tank is for single disc mopeds) which is a standard master pump on a Ducati 1199 Panigale, the S1 master brake pump features a 17mm piston. The new master cylinder has adjustable leverage and lever position with an adjustment termed “idle stroke” with a selector knob allowing the rider to fine-tune the amount of free lever travel, altering the initial bite point. Ergonomic design features a lever 28-degree angle adjuster for optimal feedback between rider & machine. S1 is a forged Master Cylinder Body, which increased structure strength & durability.

I installed the S1 master pump on the road on my Yamaha MT-09. This leverage setting provides a firmer lever feel with slightly reduced overall power and sensitivity that I view it as my preferred street set up and alter the feeling and response of initial bite. While I have to say the effect is very subtle at best, the power and modulation feel was great in which setting I had chosen. The confidence was quickly gained from consistent fade-free performance and exceptional trail braking control.

The rider/control interface is an intimate relationship and this performance upgrades you can also see as you ride to make a compelling investment. The aesthetic attraction of the RCB shaped forged-and-machined master cylinder and the folding lever’s elegant contour itself offers value appeal, at most RCB dealer you can get it around RM300-350 with the installation.

On the clutch side, I also change it to S1 series clutch perch and also installed RCB steering damper (bracket for MT-09 sold separately). I had also installed the RCB GP2 brake lever guard.