A main brake cylinder for a hydraulic vehicle brake system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The main brake cylinder includes an electric motor that is operated as a generator for decelerating the motor vehicle. For service braking, pressure is applied to a brake circuit by the main brake cylinder and to another brake circuit by a hydraulic pump. In order to reduce a pedal force, a first piston has a smaller piston surface and a second piston only moves if a greater brake fluid volume is required. A preloaded hydraulic accumulator limits an increase in pressure.