Brake Pad replacement

[mageerc]

What is the consensus on the type of replacement brake pads to use on the ST1300? Would it be better to stick with OEM or go with one of the aftermarket pads? I used the OEM pads on the rear and will be replacing the fronts in several thousand miles. I've read that Honda warns that any pad other than OEM will cause the rotors to wear faster; is this a warranted fear, or just fearmongering on Honda's part?

[crazykz]

I'll give you my observation and that is that most people I've seen stick with the OEM pads. I wore out a rotor on one of my old wings with not that many miles on it using aftermarket pads. $400 for a rotor. With the linked brakes and an optional ABS I think the pads do a fine job of stopping the bike and if they aren't abusive to the very expensive rotors then that's fine with me.

Hopefully you'll get some other opinions but the times I've seen this come up most people are sticking with the OEM pads. I don't have a lot of reasoning behind this though other than the Honda speak that you quoted.

Curt

[sherob]

Stick with Honda! :bow1: Everything I've read and heard is all others will leave you wishing you had stuck with Honda :eek: ... from mushy feeling to noisey pads ;)

[jackpine savage]

For those of you who have replaced brake pads, how many miles have you gotten out of the original set(s)?
David

[sherob]

I got about 11k out of my rear pads... which I was told is about the norm. :)

[racer1735]

Another consideration is that the stock pads will last longer than aftermarket. Maybe not as soft and responsive, but the ST brakes are pretty strong as is. Just like an automobile, the stock pads seem to last forever but once you go aftermarket, you'll be changing more frequently.

[wjbertrand]

For those of you who have replaced brake pads, how many miles have you gotten out of the original set(s)?
David


Just turned 18K Monday and the rears are looking thin but not yet used up. I think I'll get 20K+ out of the rears and more from the fronts. I'll probably go with the OEMs when the time comes, after all Miguel uses them!

I tried a set of "performance" aftermarket pads on my ST1100 once and found they braked excellently when dry but there was basically no friction until after several seconds of continuous, hard actuatuation when I got caught in a particularly nasty rain storm. :eek: They would then suddenly dry out and grab because you were squeezing so hard. Glad I had ABS on that bike! I had to repeatedly drag the brakes all the way home to keep the pads dry enough to work. Needless to say those pads got **** canned when I got home.

[Horst]

I would recommend EBC's new HH pads ... they are great.

Got 44,000 kms from my OEM's, so about 30K miles .... use your engine brake :)

Can't go wrong with OEM, but don't get cheap garbage ... and flush your brake lines once a year.

BRAKES ARE YOUR SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FARKLE ! .... EXCELLENT TIRES ARE NUMERO DOS ... SI :D

[tdeboeser]

I would recommend EBC's new HH pads ... they are great.

Got 44,000 kms from my OEM's, so about 30K miles .... use your engine brake :)

Can't go wrong with OEM, but don't get cheap garbage ... and flush your brake lines once a year.

BRAKES ARE YOUR SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FARKLE ! .... EXCELLENT TIRES ARE NUMERO DOS ... SI :D

EBC's on your ST1100? I've heard from this list that the EBC's aren't that good on the ST1300.

Whats the difference in capliers/rotors/etc. to a st1300's? Back in my Superhawk days the same discussion's/arguments came up. I found the EBC's to work well and not do any damage or perform badly at all.

Has anyone had any problems with EBC HH's on the ST1300?

Tom de

[stuey]

I use the EBC pads on the XX, which I think I'm right in saying use the same pads as the 1300, and the results are great. loads more initial bite and loads of power, but they do seem to have a very slight delay before they bite when its wet. It feels like about 5 seconds when you pull the lever and nothing happens, but its probably only about .5 of a second at most.

Stu

[nm6r]

From what I've heard and read, stick with OEM.

I just replaced my original brake pads all around with OEM.

33,369 miles. I might have been able to squeeze 40k miles out of them but why push it?

Don't forget to flush and bleed all your brake lines. I think it's well worth the effort. Clutch line too while you're at it.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[Horst]

About EBC -

Some years back, EBC experimented with 'organic' materials, this left a residue on your disks which had to be cleaned off periodically - a hassle.

This is all history ... since last year, EBC's new HH pads are better than OEM in my humble opinion ... at least one lister agrees ... if they work on his XX, then surely on your ST13.

I am most pleased with braking power, feel, and wear (so far 10,000kms) :)

...you will also pay less tax and bring world peace :D

[DesertFox]

I've got 20k on front and back and they are looking pretty thin. About ready to replace all 3 sets.

What is a good source and price?? Thanks.:04biker:

[LandRover]

I've got 20k on front and back and they are looking pretty thin. About ready to replace all 3 sets.

What is a good source and price?? Thanks.:04biker:


http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/

[kingprawnokay]

I would recommend EBC's new HH pads ... they are great.

Got 44,000 kms from my OEM's, so about 30K miles .... use your engine brake :)

Can't go wrong with OEM, but don't get cheap garbage ... and flush your brake lines once a year.

BRAKES ARE YOUR SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FARKLE ! .... EXCELLENT TIRES ARE NUMERO DOS ... SI :D

Just bought some EBC's, Horst. I'll let you all know if I like 'em once installed.

[Clark]

My $.02....

Under most stopping conditions, the stock pads are fine. Although, as I've mentioned in other posts, I ride aggressively and on a few occasions the stock pads overheated and simply stopped working. (It was... um... momentarily terrifying?) Anyway, I went with aftermarket HH pads and wouldn't go back. I got dramatically better performance and none of the problems some complained about. Best of all, the aftermarket pads don't fade, no matter what I do to them. Oh, and my rotors are fine. ;-)

[oldfartracer]

I've raced with EBC HH for quite a while and I like the bite they give. Has anyone actually had a rotor be distroyed by after market pads?

One thing I'll have to remember is to check the pads in the rear caliper since it's actually being used. I don't think I have ever replaced a rear set of pads since I only ever touch the foot brake when I'm on gravel. Don't forget 90% of your braking comes from the front brake.

[Scaredy Cat]

I would replace like for like front and back - as the braking force generated is transmitted to the other wheel's "spare" slave cylinder, I would think the braking forces should be for pads with the same coefficient of friction. Likewise for replacing discs.
I've used EBC HH on my old ZZR11 and they made a huge improvement over stock, no comparison.

Here's a question - why are brake discs "discs" and computer disks "disks"?
And for those who know the answer, why are PC hard disks spelt with a K too?

:)

[kingprawnokay]

"Disk" and "disc" are variant spellings of the same word. However, in reference to computers, "disk" is short for "diskette" while the word "disc" isn't short for anything.

I just read that the British spelling is with a "c" and the American spelling is with a "k". There is a lot of overlap. I liked my first argument though.

[Scaredy Cat]

Well done.
I think the first british spelling was in "micro-floppy diskette", when the 3.5 inch dicsks became available.
I still don't know why the british spell hard discs with a K though.
You won!

[BentAero]

A couple of you have mentioned bleeding/replacing the brake fluid. Why? If I'm not having any 'issues', shouldn't I go with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory? What are the pro & cons involved?

[tdeboeser]

Yeah, Toyota did a study on break fluid. It last two years, period. Like RC said, break systems ( on anything) aren't completly sealed.
It's a quick and cheap job, and you'll be suprised at the power you've been missing.

Tom de

[Horst]

Brake fluid and clutch fluid every 2 years at least.

Builds up moisture and gunk ... yuk !

Did mine this winter (pads last summer) and the difference is noticeable. I love the way I can haul my ST11 down in a hurry ... inspires confidence.

Now about the Turbo Charger .... :D