Can you use aftermarket brake pads on a st1300
Anyone use aftermarket rear brake pads on a st1300?
- Thread starter Anthony
- Start date
You can but many have commented the Honda pads are the best.
Also, the calipers changed in 2008 so be aware part numbers changed.
Also, the calipers changed in 2008 so be aware part numbers changed.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
I am sure that quality varies between aftermarket brands but there have been so many reported instances of ST1300 brake problems being caused by the use of aftermarket brake pads that it just isn't worth it in my opinion. I am not interested in spending the time trying to figure out which ones are properly and well made and which ones aren't, so I just buy the Honda pads and go ride.
I have read that even racers prefer OEM brake pads.
I decided to try after market due to the high cost of OEM and EBC. I tried these and have had no problems at all. May be a little less gripppy but nothing that has cause any problems. To put it in prespective...where brake pads on most rides would last a few seasons or more and the cost is not an issue, I live 24/7 on my bike and put a lot of miles on it...280,000 and climbing. So I needed a less expensive, but reliable alternative and these have work for me. Just my perspective.
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Bought these from Amazon, have approximately 40,000 kilometers, lots of pad still left, seems to stop as fast as Oem. Haven't noticed any brake fad . I figured at the price it was worth trying them . No problem with there fit.
Obo
East Coast Canada
For what it's worth....
OEM Honda pads are thicker in the rear, and thinner in the front. Honda has a white spacer between the pad backing plate and the cage to prevent the heat from cooking the fluid. All the pads have the metal cage behind them.
EBC messed up when they first started making pads for ST's. They chose to cut corners and not include the spacer and or cage. They also decided to make one size fits all pads, thus thicker pads for both applications. What that does is not allow the Front pads to return to a rest position, and back away from the rotor. This causes the pads to ride the rotor, wearing both the pads and the rotors out faster, and always applying the rear brake due to the linked system. This is what causes the rear brakes to drag on most bikes.
That's just speaking about EBC, which is not a "no name" off brand. Those could be worse.
Given your brake are kind of important, and you don't want them locking up when riding, or not working when you need them, what's a few dollars more for OEM if you can afford it?
It's all about your level of acceptable risk.
OEM Honda pads are thicker in the rear, and thinner in the front. Honda has a white spacer between the pad backing plate and the cage to prevent the heat from cooking the fluid. All the pads have the metal cage behind them.
EBC messed up when they first started making pads for ST's. They chose to cut corners and not include the spacer and or cage. They also decided to make one size fits all pads, thus thicker pads for both applications. What that does is not allow the Front pads to return to a rest position, and back away from the rotor. This causes the pads to ride the rotor, wearing both the pads and the rotors out faster, and always applying the rear brake due to the linked system. This is what causes the rear brakes to drag on most bikes.
That's just speaking about EBC, which is not a "no name" off brand. Those could be worse.
Given your brake are kind of important, and you don't want them locking up when riding, or not working when you need them, what's a few dollars more for OEM if you can afford it?
It's all about your level of acceptable risk.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
FWIW, I've used Honda OEM pads on all of my ST1100s for over 1/2 million miles.
And I am still running the original rotors on all of them.
And I am still running the original rotors on all of them.