Replacing Front Brakes

[FJR1300Jeff]

Just wondering how many miles I can expect before needing a change of pads. I have 21,000 on the 2005 non-abs. I was planning a trip to NC soon and didn't want to have a problem on the trip.

When the pads get low do they make a squeeking noise like a car? Do they go out pretty quick like one day fine then little to no brakes? or start to shake on braking? How about the rotors do they need to be replaced with normal usage?

Thanks

 

[Geezer]

There is a gap, like a line, in each pad that you can see. It divides the pad in half and is deep enough as to go almost all the way to the backing plate. If the pad wears down to where that line is gone you need new pads. Don't wait for a squeal or you may be replacing the rotors as well. Rotors are expensive.

How fast you wear down brakes is very personal. It depends on the way you use the bike, what kind of riding you do, how often you use the brakes and how hard you use them. I am a light user of brakes and have over 30k on mine and they are not past the half way point. I have a set of new pads for all three calipers in the garage so I'll be prepared when they need to be replaced.

 

[Bounce]

i think i changed mine a little early when i was in lake city, fla. on a trip.

wear is hard to pin down wrt an extact mileage. it varies with riding style, load, and other factors. each rider can get different mileages from a set of pads. i do know that my rear set was still good when i was swapping my front set at about 25k miles.

you need to look at them. when i changed mine the next time (to the Carbone-Lorraine) one pad was thicker than the other for both calipers on the front. no squeel. change early. save damage to your rotors. bike rotors tend to be either thin or hard enough that turning them isn't routinely done like with cars.

you better hope you don't wait so long that you need to swap rotors. again, unlike cars, it's pretty expesive. most bike's i've had would set you back about $300 (i can't remember if that's per or to the front pair).

 

[jayke]

I have 2005 non-abs also. 20K on the original front set. 7K on the 2nd aftermarket front, about 6K on the third aftermarket set so far. The fronts on the non-abs are really easy to change, I'd go ahead and change them to be safe. Clean the caliper pistons really well with brake cleaner when you change pads. I didn't clean mine the first time and they were dragging, that's why I only got 6K out of the 2nd set.

 

[SkooterG]

My first set on my 04 were done at 30,000 miles due to uneven wear. Youcan see photos in this thread: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I just changed the 2nd set. They were done too, though they had maybe a thousand or two left. They wore uneven also, but not nearly as much as shown in the above linked thread. Regardless, they lasted 65,000 miles so I am more than happy with their life. OEM pads by the way.

 

[RsvlFeej]

2005 ABS. Almost 40K on the front set before replaced, but wear was uneven because one caliper was stuck. Grrr. Rear still has >50%.

 

[FJR1300Jeff]

2005 ABS. Almost 40K on the front set before replaced, but wear was uneven because one caliper was stuck. Grrr. Rear still has >50%.

So 40,000 miles and rear still good..WOW!!!! I'll take a look at my front when I get a chance......So you guys feel that OEM is the best wat to go?

I was wondering about a set a metallic something I heard about. Anybetter stopping with metallic pads?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Geezer]

[(snip)..So you guys feel that OEM is the best wat to go?
I was wondering about a set a metallic something I heard about. Anybetter stopping with metallic pads?

Thanks,

Jeff

I have been happy with the EOM brakes both for stopping ability and longevity so I decided to stick with them. If you buy through U motors the price is very attractive when compared to other brands.

 

[Bounce]

coupons for Carbone-Lorraine pads meant that, when i got the ss brake and clutch lines, i also got 3 complete sets of pads for free.

 

[JimLor]

I replaced mine at ~18k with the EBC HH pads. Still had roughly half of the OEM pad life left. Just felt like doing something to the bike! I do think the EBCs stop better than OEM, but not dramatically so.