Brake Pads - should I replace them?

[Rider_FJR]

I’m planning a 7000 miles trip in June and was wondering if I should be concern about my front brake pads. I currently have 46K miles on original pads, but I’m not sure how to measure how much pad is left. Car pads have a pin, but do bike pads?

For those of you that replaced the pads, at what mileage did you replace them?

 

[TomInPA]

It really doesn't matter when anyone else changed pads because we all drive differently and under different conditions. Urban riders probably have the most rapid brake-wear. The OEM brakes have a slot cut into them that you can visualize without removing the caliper. Get your head on the ground with a light and look at all the sets, or better, remove the calipers and inspect them. My observation has been the inside pad wears a little faster. If you don't have at least 2mm of slot remaining, I would change them prior to the trip. Once the slot disappears, there is still about 2mm of wear material, but the pads will not clear and will get hotter.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Taking the pads off is super easy. Just take the little caliper bolt or pin out (I don't remember which my '07 has), remove the little holders and the pads will come right out. Here's a link to instructions on FJRTech.com...Brake Pad replacement link

I know I replaced my rear pads a while back, but now I can't remember if I have replaced my fronts. I know I have had them out, cleaned them up and switched them around. For some reason, the inside pads seem to wear faster than the outside ones, so I took them out and flipped them. Still going at 41k, and the more I think about it, I think it's the original pads. Not always, but sometimes, I am pretty hard on my brakes, so mileage may vary.

There are lots of opinions, but I like the EBC HH Sintered brake pad replacement pads. They are reasonably priced and I don't think you'll be able to tell the difference between them and OEM. Cougar8000 located HERE has the pads, gives a forum discount, and knows exactly what you need for your FJR...

 

[Rider_FJR]

Thanks for the info. I had no idea about the slot cut.

When the time comes to replace the pads, is there any other "brake" part I should replace?

It appears this place has the best price on OEM brakes.

https://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-3P6-W0045-00-00.html

 

[ahchiu]

Thanks for the info. I had no idea about the slot cut.

When the time comes to replace the pads, is there any other "brake" part I should replace?

It appears this place has the best price on OEM brakes.

https://www.boats.net/parts/detail/yamaha/Y-3P6-W0045-00-00.html

That price is for 1 piston, you have 4 in the front and 1 in the rear. I went with the EBC HH pads.

 

[wfooshee]

I've heard people say that EBH pads ate their rotors, but I don't know if it was these pads or a stronger compound.

Gen-II has 4 pairs of front pads, 2 pairs in each caliper, so don't buy just one pair for each rotor and wonder why you came up short.

 

[Rider_FJR]

So, it appears that I will need:

Part#: 3P6-W0045-00-00 (Break Pads)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $42.09

Total: 168.36

Plus

Part # 3P6-25919-00-00 (Support Pad)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $22.22

Total $88.88

Grand Total: 257.24

 

[RadioHowie]

Give yourself a cigar!

 

[El Toro Joe]

Go order the EBC HH pads, while yer enjoin that cigar

 

[FJRBluesman]

You can look at the pad thickness from the front by looking sligfhtly to the side of the calipers then switching sides of the front wheel. You get a pretty good grasp for how much meat is left.

Give yourself a cigar!

~$300 for brakes, OUCH!!!
Yep, to quote Howie, Yamaha has been redefining mechanical integrity since 2006.

Brakes are brakes gots to have them.

 

[RadioHowie]

I've heard people say that EBH pads ate their rotors, but I don't know if it was these pads or a stronger compound.

To elaborate on what esteemed Forumite wfooshee has written, there are also those of us who have experienced having EBC brake pads disappear in a cloud of brake-dust in 5000 miles or so.

Has happened to me twice.

I'd recommend sticking with OEM pads. There's a reason those EBCs are cheaper than OEMs...they're made outta recycled toilet paper and discarded overcooked parsnips.

 

[not2shabby]

So, it appears that I will need:

Part#: 3P6-W0045-00-00 (Break Pads)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $42.09

Total: 168.36

Plus

Part # 3P6-25919-00-00 (Support Pad)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $22.22

Total $88.88

Grand Total: 257.24

Save yourself $88.88 and reuse the ones you all ready have. They're just retainers that keep the pads from rattling around!

And don't ever use Carbonne Lorraine SBK pads...unless you want to replace your rotors in 15-20k miles. Don't ask how I know...

 

[Rider_FJR]

There can't be that much of a price difference between OEM and EBC pads, maybe $150.00. I don't know, I never checked.

I have two young kids and last thing I want to do is same some money on pads which Yamaha never tested and/or approved.

I've heard people say that EBH pads ate their rotors, but I don't know if it was these pads or a stronger compound.

To elaborate on what esteemed Forumite wfooshee has written, there are also those of us who have experienced having EBC brake pads disappear in a cloud of brake-dust in 5000 miles or so.

Has happened to me twice.

I'd recommend sticking with OEM pads. There's a reason those EBCs are cheaper than OEMs...they're made outta recycled toilet paper and discarded overcooked parsnips.

 

[Rider_FJR]

Thanks.

I think I will save on the clips, but still get OEM.

So, it appears that I will need:

Part#: 3P6-W0045-00-00 (Break Pads)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $42.09

Total: 168.36

Plus

Part # 3P6-25919-00-00 (Support Pad)

Quantiy 4

Cost Each: $22.22

Total $88.88

Grand Total: 257.24

Save yourself $88.88 and reuse the ones you all ready have. They're just retainers that keep the pads from rattling around!

And don't ever use Carbonne Lorraine SBK pads...unless you want to replace your rotors in 15-20k miles. Don't ask how I know...

 

[ionbeam]

EBC sintered HH brake pads work as good as OEM pads in terms of braking force, feel and fade resistance. The 'beams carry a lot of inertia during braking and not only do we generate tons of nasty black brake dust but we pretty much vaporize the pads in ~12k miles. YMMV.

 

[Rider_FJR]

So, just so I'm clear, if the groove is gone on the pad or close to being gone, I need to replace pads, is that a correct understanding?

 

[Rider_FJR]

Another word, they are junk. Why get a $14,000 bike when you dont want to invest in quality, tested, approved pads, which can save your life or others on the road.

Again, we are talking about $300.00 here, every so many years. Thanks everyone for your inputs, it's nice to hear different opinions, suggestions.

EBC sintered HH brake pads work as good as OEM pads in terms of braking force, feel and fade resistance. The 'beams carry a lot of inertia during braking and not only do we generate tons of nasty black brake dust but we pretty much vaporize the pads in ~12k miles. YMMV.

 

[RadioHowie]

So, just so I'm clear, if the groove is gone on the pad or close to being gone, I need to replace pads, is that a correct understanding?

Drive 'em 'til they scrape...THEN replace them IMMEDIATELY. Even during your trip. Only takes about 5 minutes to do a pad change.

No sense throwing away pads with material still on 'em.

 

[not2shabby]

So, just so I'm clear, if the groove is gone on the pad or close to being gone, I need to replace pads, is that a correct understanding?

Yep!

edit: Don't listen to Howie...