Checking front brake pads for wear

[Snave]

Guys:
How do you check the front brake pads for wear? The rear ones are a breeze to see, but no matter how I squint I can't see the friction material on the front ones. Do I need to be a contortionist to see them or is there a specific angle to look at them?

 

[Mellow]

You can try using a small mirror... sometimes that helps.

 

[BakerBoy]

It may be easier to put your camera in place than your eyeballs. Here's a view of mine, taken with my camera's macro on: https://www.st-owners.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3407

You can mostly see them by eye by turning the handlebars to the left, kneeling down low on the right side of the bike and looking up at the underside of the right caliper (and vice versa).

 

[dduelin]

+1 on a small mirror and a flashlight.

 

[fiziks]

The service manual talks about a wear limit channel. I have about 3/16" left on my front pads, but I don't see a wear limit channel. I guess I'm just assuming the PO put on Honda pads. Is it time to change them? My rear pads look to be maybe 1/16" or possibly less... I think it is definitely time to change them, yes?

 

[ChucksKLRST]

It only takes five min. to remove the pads for visual inspection. Then another 5 min to put them back in. 1 Allen wrench.