Choosing Brake Pads

[TimTyler]

Is there a preference from this selection?

[Scott_]

Is there a preference from this selection?

Well, there are some things to keep in mind.
1, the more metal(semi-metallic) in the pad gives you the best stopping power, no brake fade wet or dry. Con--- shorter rotor life which can mean $$$ for new rotors eventually.

2, the more organic you can get(less metal) gives you the longest rotor life. It won't last forever, but it will likely outlive you. Con--- not supreme braking power and brake fade if you ride the brake for a long time. More brake dust to keep clean off of the bike.

I buy these, but my bike is also an 1100.

[stevemac]

Since Tim is asking about brake pads, let me piggyback this question: has anyone found a particular brand/type of pad to be quieter than others?

Steve
1990 K75RT

[Pagman]

All my brakes squeal, but i think ebc is the quietest. Regarding the metal brake pads, I had a set on my vulcan (it was an ebc) and it ate up the rotor. Remember it's metal on metal. I had it for thousands of miles on the front wheel, but I would still prefer the organic. One time a small fragment of something got stuck in the metallic pad. When I applied the brake, it would stop with a vibration. When that happened, a ring was formed on the rotor from the debris being scraped as it was spinning. With an organic pad, I believe it would have had the softness to eject the debris. In my opinion, I think you should stick with ebc organic pads.

[frankenduck]

All my brakes squeal,

[Snowy]

I have the EBC HH sintered (metal) pads on my K1100 and I would not go back to organic. That said, I'm fairly easy on the brakes so rotor life is good, but when I do use the brakes hard I want them to haul the bike up quickly so will take the compromise with life expectancy.

[Pagman]

I have the EBC HH sintered (metal) pads on my K1100 and I would not go back to organic. That said, I'm fairly easy on the brakes so rotor life is good, but when I do use the brakes hard I want them to haul the bike up quickly so will take the compromise with life expectancy.

I try to ride easy on my brakes too, especially sine I don't have ABS. On the times I recall braking hard, I fishtailed into the scare of a lifetime. I have organic pads on mine and they lock up quite easily, especially with the brembos. That to me is sufficient stopping power. Not arguing with you Snowy, just placing a little bit of my experience on the table. :yes Metal pads might have a different kind of stopping power on ABS due to the anti-lock function, but I wouldn't know.

[Snowy]

I have the EBC HH sintered (metal) pads on my K1100 and I would not go back to organic. That said, I'm fairly easy on the brakes so rotor life is good, but when I do use the brakes hard I want them to haul the bike up quickly so will take the compromise with life expectancy.

I try to ride easy on my brakes too, especially sine I don't have ABS. On the times I recall braking hard, I fishtailed into the scare of a lifetime. I have organic pads on mine and they lock up quite easily, especially with the brembos. That to me is sufficient stopping power. Not arguing with you Snowy, just placing a little bit of my experience on the table. :yes Metal pads might have a different kind of stopping power on ABS due to the anti-lock function, but I wouldn't know.

It probably depends on how good the organic pads are. Mine were the originals fitted so I assume Brembo's but I never felt they were particularly good so opted for the EBC sintered as a change. Once these were fitted the braking went from average to fantastic - the difference was that remarkable but thats only a comparison to whatever the organic pads were fitted in the first place so I can't say anyone else would get the same improvement. I'm really talking about the front brakes only here - its easy enough to lock the rear to get the fishtailing effect whatever pads you have due to the weight transfer under braking - the ABS will kick in on those occasions.  I don't think its anything to do with ABS though as I'm  not activating it on the front. As another comparison though I have just changed the original Brembo pads on my R1200GSA to Ferodo Platinum pads which are still organic and whilst the braking is good its not as powerful as on the K1100RS. The GS is well known for having really good brakes so the fact the K11 is even better (in my experience) tells a story in itself. I should add that I have replaced all the brake lines with braided and I do change fluid every year or so but that would not account for much of the improvement.  The other comment is that I'm in the UK - I have no idea if there is a difference in brake compounds with US versions.

[Pagman]

It probably depends on how good the organic pads are. Mine were the originals fitted so I assume Brembo's but I never felt they were particularly good so opted for the EBC sintered as a change. Once these were fitted the braking went from average to fantastic - the difference was that remarkable but thats only a comparison to whatever the organic pads were fitted in the first place so I can't say anyone else would get the same improvement. I'm really talking about the front brakes only here - its easy enough to lock the rear to get the fishtailing effect whatever pads you have due to the weight transfer under braking - the ABS will kick in on those occasions.  I don't think its anything to do with ABS though as I'm  not activating it on the front. As another comparison though I have just changed the original Brembo pads on my R1200GSA to Ferodo Platinum pads which are still organic and whilst the braking is good its not as powerful as on the K1100RS. The GS is well known for having really good brakes so the fact the K11 is even better (in my experience) tells a story in itself. I should add that I have replaced all the brake lines with braided and I do change fluid every year or so but that would not account for much of the improvement.  The other comment is that I'm in the UK - I have no idea if there is a difference in brake compounds with US versions.

Since you're referring to the front, I would have to experience the difference for myself. I don't doubt you have the better braking power. It's just that I fear shortening the rotor life. On an earlier post, I mentioned using metal brakes on a vulcan. My experience is limited to there, but I would think the brake/ rotor wear concept is the same. BMW, as a European make, is typically more expensive so rotors cost a lot more than japanese versions. It was costly enough for me to replace the single vulcan rotor, so I'll be financially horrified if I have to replace the beemer's dual rotors!  :yow 

[frankenduck]

They're "only" $420 each. :yow


EBC makes some though that cost much less.

[Snowy]

As above, there are cheaper replacements available outside of OEM. My front rotors have 36K on them and there's loads of life left in them yet so I'm not expecting to replace them anytime soon even using HH pads. Since I don't commute and riding my bike's are purely for pleasure I would always choose power over longevity for the brakes in the same way as I prefer grip over mileage in regards to tyres. I'm sure I would rethink those thoughts if I had a long commute on motorways etc.