Brake Pad Recommendations

[Suntan Sid]

Right ho, I'll need to replace the front pads on my FZ1-N soon, so I'm looking for some recommendations, brand, type etc.

My bike is in Cyprus, so I do get out on it a bit more than in the UK, it doesn't rain here for 9 months of the year and I won't be here for when it does, so wet weather performance isn't a factor at all.
Roads here are fast and smooth, I guess I need some that don't fade, (not even sure that high ambient temperature would actually affect them).
I don't ride hard and by that I mean I don't max it out between bends then stand on the brakes at the very last, possible, moment!

No Idea what I have in there at the moment, they've been in there since I bought it!

Any to look out for or to avoid?
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Howling Terror]

I liked the sintered brembo pads on the ST2 and organic on the rear.

Now using EBC sintered on the front of the ST2, EBC organic on the rear.
I've had no problems with either.

If you don't like the stronger initial bite of the sintered and mainly ride in the dry I'd say go for EBC organics all round.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[RhynoCZ]

Definitely sintered pads. I used to run Brembo SA (red) pads on various motorcycles.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[MarJay]

I always tend to use EBC pads by choice, but I've heard CL braking are good, and also have been forced to use Goldfren on my Buell (as EBC is far too expensive) and I quite liked those too.

A lot of brake pad choice hinges on the exact material that was used to make the discs. Some bikes like OE pads, some respond well to EBC HH sintered...

Sorry, not very helpful.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Out of all the ones I have tried worth mentioning;

SBS street excel.
Galfer HH.
EBC HH.

EBC HH just edge it for me.

[Suntan Sid]

Thanks for the replies!

[Suntan Sid]

Ok the shed has revealed that I have a set of Goldfren AD Series, sintered, ceramic carbon pads.

They are described as:-

[RhynoCZ]

[Suntan Sid]

I'll give 'em a try, what could possibly go wrong?
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[RhynoCZ]

I think you'll be alright.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Bozzy]

I've got a set of Gold fren to fit too. I'll keep everybody updated as to their effectiveness.
____________________
2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[stinkwheel]

I like brembos too.

Budget option, armstrong sintered.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[skatefreak]

I've always used goldfren cheap GG's on my road bikes, never had any problems atall.

I took a punt on some Goldfren S33 ceramics for my track bike after much froogling and I've had nothing but stellar braking performance, no fade, bedded in very quickly etc.

All things considered, don't think I'd bother with the more expensive brands. It seem's delamination is something that happens to all brands suggesting a manufacturing defect. Excluding cheap chinese knock offs that is... Wouldnt - touch - barge - pole

[Bozzy]

[Snod Blatter]

[recman]

EBC HH for me too, not too sure what type I replaced the other day but they're a damn sight better now.

[stinkwheel]

There is a lot of bait and switch crap on ebay. I won't buy brake pads off ebay either.

I've ordered brake pads numberous times only to have them switch brands on me. Often written somewhere in the small print in the auction that they reserve the right to "Supply pads of an equivalent type" and you land up paying brembo prices for EBC pads. I even took to contacting the sellers to ask if I order the brand they are selling, is that what I'll receive. Did that three times, none of them replied.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MarJay]

[Suntan Sid]

Well, my brake pad conundrum got sorted a couple of days ago.
Got the calipers off, only to find that the pads that were in there are barely worn at all.
It's annoying that you can't actually see the pads when everything's in place.
So, a final question. Do brake pads have a "Best Before" date?
The set of pads I have, in the shed, have a manufacturing date of Aug 2013, they're still in the original, undamaged, shrink wrapped packaging in a dry environment.
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[MarJay]

[Suntan Sid]

I'll keep 'em for a not so rainy day then!
____________________
"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Howling Terror]

Giving them some short blasts of strong braking at a decent speed will revive them...well it certainly improves the feel.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Fizzer Thou]

I have some Ferodo Supersport pads for the front six piston calipers on the Exup1000 waiting to be fitted and they are about ten years old.I doubt that they will have aged in storage.

The pads in the front calipers on the R1 (5JJ) still have quite a bit of meat on them,despite having 35,000 on the clock.By keeping the calipers clean and free from clag around the pistons,the pads do not interfere with the discs when the lever is released. I think this is the secret to long pad life

As for Gold Fren pads,I fiited a new set to the front of the FJ1200 just before I headed off around Europe last year and after 3,000 miles on the Continent and a further 1,500 miles riding round the UK,they are worn about half way.I shall replace them before I go riding around France in July
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Fisty]

Brembo Reds or SBS HH have been fantastic on the TL.
____________________
Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Suntan Sid]