Ordering Brake Pads

gunsmoker

gunsmoker

Joined
Oct 16, 2024
Messages
386
Location
Cumming, Georgia USA
Bike
ST-1300, VT-1100c
2026 Miles
002900
I want to try swapping out my aftermarket brake pads with real OEM Honda ones.

Also the rear brakes on my ST 1300 do not have those white heat absorbing spacers ( I think they got thrown out mistaking them for packing material).

So, I thought I could do this on Amazon using my Amazon Prime account, but no...I looked at dozens of different sets of brake pads for Honda motorcycles and none of them are actual Honda products -they're all aftermarket.

Where do you recommend shopping online for genuine Honda parts to include brake pads? I tried partzilla and I did not find brake pads listed, just the brake hardware itself.
 
If this ST Owners forum already has a thread or article about choosing brake pads please provide a link; I could not find that either. Perhaps it was lost in the software problem we had last week.
 
Good morning, I just checked the 2008 ST1300A entry on Partzilla and the pads are item #3 on this page,

The fiche isn’t particularly easy to navigate for some bikes but you should be able to find an entry for your year.

Have a great day!
 
There used to be a number of places to buy Honda parts for ST's. Do a google search for 'honda motorcycle parts and see what comes up. Hondapartshouse.com is one of them. I'd suggest comparing several websites prices AND shipping charges. IIRC, boats.net was one of the better sources that I used a number of times.
 
Hi, old guy here but recently acquired 07 and loving it. What is the rule here for st1300 pads? Seems like you could purchase at least 3 sets of aftermarket vs oem costs.
Why so much cost difference? Old guy means fixed income so north of $150 for pads when I see them for 1/3 cost on eBay or Amazon, without knowing I have to ask!
Thanks
 
Ndfrc said:
Hi, old guy here but recently acquired 07 and loving it. What is the rule here for st1300 pads? Seems like you could purchase at least 3 sets of aftermarket vs oem costs.
Why so much cost difference? Old guy means fixed income so north of $150 for pads when I see them for 1/3 cost on eBay or Amazon, without knowing I have to ask!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Now you did it. The argument over OE pads and aftermarket pads. I use ceramic pads and found they last long, do not wear rotors, quiet and stop just fine. I'm mostly touring and not hard on the brakes. I have found that organic pads do not last. Semi metallic and copper sintered are close or same as oe.


  • Sintered (Metallic):
    • Pros: Excellent stopping power in all conditions (hot/cold, wet/dry), durable, resistant to fade, common as original equipment.
    • Cons: Can be noisy, wear rotors faster, take time to warm up, potentially more expensive.
    • Best For: Aggressive street riding, sportbikes, track days, hilly terrain.
  • Organic (Resin):
    • Pros: Quiet, gentle on rotors, cheaper upfront, good for casual, short trips.
    • Cons: Wear faster, fade under hard braking.
    • Best For: Mellow street riding, budget-conscious riders.
  • Semi-Metallic:
    • Pros: A hybrid offering balance, durable, high performance, good for commuting and light track use.
    • Cons: More dust and rotor wear than organic, but less than sintered.
    • Best For: Commuting, balanced performance.
  • Ceramic:
    • Pros: Quiet, less dust, smooth & linear feel, long-lasting.
    • Cons: Higher cost, can be more expensive than semi-metallics.
    • Best For: Smooth, paved rides where quietness and cleanliness are priorities.

Recommendation
  • For most modern street riding: Stick with sintered pads, or consider semi-metallic for a balance.
  • For performance: Use HH-rated sintered pads for maximum stopping power.
  • For a quiet, comfortable ride: Organic or ceramic pads are better choices.
 
^^^^The thing is, I dont really think its that black and white....
----------Running Kevlar Ceramic and they are fine....
 
There has to be a compromise between the rotors and pads. If the pads are too agressive, they'll eat up the rotor. If they are too soft, the rotor will eat the pads. I use Honda brake pads because they stop my bike comfortably and my rotors aren't eaten up. They last many many miles, even at north of $150, how much is that a mile? After a bit over 220 K miles my rotors were in good shape.
 
Thanks for the feedback, the outline is definitely specific with sound data points, I agree there are variables that can all but negate any forward planning. For me a bikes priority starts with tires, then brakes, then rider. Haha it’s that last one that gets me!
I am good with the brake pad sentiment, so how about.. another non variable question.. is there a consensus on tires that the ST likes?
 
Ndfrc said:
Thanks for the feedback, the outline is definitely specific with sound data points, I agree there are variables that can all but negate any forward planning. For me a bikes priority starts with tires, then brakes, then rider. Haha it’s that last one that gets me!
I am good with the brake pad sentiment, so how about.. another non variable question.. is there a consensus on tires that the ST likes?
Click to expand...
Now ya did it, wait a day and there will be pages of recommendations. Tires have a pretty wide price range. Bridgestone T32 &T34 are very good. I run Shinko Raven and get about 10,000 miles on them. Others will condemn them. They all have pros and cons.
 
One last simple brake pad question.. obviously the fronts are all the same, are the rears the same as fronts? I will know once I swap them but from the ordering side some are referring to both front and rear applications as the same yet oem part numbers are different.
Thanks!
 
2007 and earlier model year ST1300 Honda OEM front brake pads are different from 2008 and later model year ST1300 Honda OEM brake pads. Left and right-hand side front brake pads are the same within the two model year break-points.

All model year ST1300 Honda OEM rear brake pads are the same.

Some aftermarket brake pads are designed to accept compromises that allow them to manufacture pads that will fit both the front and the back calipers, and many people have found those compromises to not be very acceptable.
 
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