This Brembo deal could make ABS more common on entry-level motorcycles
Ask most Filipino riders what Brembo is known for, and they’ll probably point to the bright-colored brake calipers found on premium motorcycles from Ducati, KTM, BMW, and other big-name brands. But the Italian company is now chasing something much bigger than performance brakes.
Just recently, Brembo announced a new joint venture with Ningbo SAFE Brakes Systems of China to manufacture motorcycle anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in India, which is currently the world’s largest motorcycle market.
At first glance, the news sounds like just another corporate investment. But looking a little closer reveals that it could have implications for riders far beyond India, including here in the Philippines.
The new company, called BRSF Active Safety Solutions, will focus on producing both single-channel and dual-channel ABS systems for motorcycles. These systems help prevent wheel lockup during hard braking, allowing riders to maintain better control during emergency situations.
The venture is expected to begin operations in the 2nd half of 2026, with a manufacturing facility planned in Pune, one of India’s largest automotive and motorcycle production hubs. Brembo will hold a 60% stake in the company, showing that this is more than just a small side project. It also signals the company’s growing interest in active safety technology, an area that goes beyond the performance brake calipers and discs it is best known for.
More importantly for Pinoy riders, the new company said that it will focus on ABS systems for sub-400cc motorcycles and scooters, and that’s a segment that covers the vast majority of motorcycles sold in emerging markets like the Philippines.
For years, ABS was largely reserved for premium motorcycles, as well as smaller motorcycles that remained beyond what Juan dela Cruz could afford. While more manufacturers are offering the technology on smaller-displacement bikes and scooters today, the challenge has always been the added cost of ABS components.
That’s where Brembo’s latest move becomes interesting. By producing ABS systems locally in India, Brembo could help make the technology more accessible to manufacturers building affordable commuter motorcycles.
There’s also a good chance many riders have already used a Brembo-related product without realizing it. The Italian company owns ByBre, short for “By Brembo,” a brand commonly found on motorcycles that originated in India. The new ABS venture appears to follow the same strategy by bringing safety technology developed by a premium supplier to motorcycles aimed at everyday riders.
Again, India is one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturing hubs, supplying motorcycles and components to markets across Asia and beyond. If Brembo succeeds in lowering the cost of ABS production there, manufacturers may find it easier to equip more entry-level and mid-range motorcycles with the technology, or even force competing ABS suppliers to become more price-competitive. That could eventually benefit Pinoy riders as ABS becomes more common on motorcycles that are currently sold without it.
Of course, there is no guarantee that motorcycle prices will suddenly drop or that every entry-level bike will come with ABS anytime soon. But, at least we’re heading in the right direction. Not every rider has the training or experience to react perfectly in an emergency, and that’s exactly where ABS can help.
