Quite simple, really. Use the ancient and powerful `dd` to do this!
### Backing up
dd if=/dev/sda of=~/mbr.backup bs=512 count=1
### Restoring
dd if=/path/to/media/mbr.backup of=/dev/sda bs=512 count=1
### Notes
The 512 byte sector is composed of three parts:
* 446 bytes for GRUB
* 64 bytes for the partition table
* 2 bytes are persistent
When restoring, these numbers become important. If restoring to a
partition of the *exact size*, use `bs=512` for backup and restore.
Else, *you have to use* `bs=446`. This is vitally important.