Fitting of new front brake pads, advice please.

[Lonewolf]

I do use sintered pads, always have done with the GTR. My bikes over 3 years old and I measured the discs recently and they are just fine.

[Andy]

I've copper slipped the rear of the pads this evening so hopefully that'll cure the ever so slight chatter. Another test ride tomorrow.

Are you still on test ride ? :-)

[Lonewolf]

Are you still on test ride ? :-)

Regrettably no.    All was ok in the end.

[Andy]

Yes, the friction material so that instead of a sharp edge on the leading edge it is now rounded.
You don't need to take much friction material off.
Once you get the pads out you will see what I mean.



For pads on the RIGHT side of each caliper you need to smooth the right edge as shown on the above image.
For pads on the LEFT side of each caliper you need to smooth the left edge as shown on the above image.

EBC pads are getting cheaper.
Just found a complete front set for £65 delivered on fleabay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-GTR1400-GTR-Set-Sintered-EBC-HH-Front-Brake-Pads-FA417-4HH-/360546369698?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item53f23d00a2

About $90 for 2 sets delivered to a USA address. HH version is made in US. http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBC-Front-Brake-Pads-Kawasaki-Z1000-ZG-1400-ZX6R-ZX14-R-Ninja-FA417-4HH-/131115351963?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e87157f9b&vxp=mtr

[Boomer]

I've always used sintered metal HH pads and my OEM disks lasted 50k miles. Were down to 4.1mm when i replaced them. Tried Goldfren pads on my GTR1000 and took them out after 500 miles. Tried Armstrong and they were rubbish too. Currently have Ferodo HH on the 1400 but will be going back to EBC HH when they wear out. EBCs have better feel IMHO. Kawasaki recommend HH pads so I would be loathe to fit "softer" pads. I value my life higher than that.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[zedmeister]

I have always used carbone lorraine in all my GTR's, excellent pads HH sintered got loads of bite in all circumstances, and a reasonable price, have used other more popular brands but over priced and over rated.

[SirToU]

have you made sure your disks are still floating?  make sure you can rotate the buttons.....  I know it hasn't been the worst winter, but I have still seen the salt trucks out.....

Neil

[aljaxon]

i have used almnost every brand/type of pad on my zx6r and have simply found to do stoppies  on softer pads all you do is pull the brake lever harder.
also with the sintered it is very easy for them to overheat to get fade if pushing the bike hard
so what do i want?
a pad that will stop me quicker with a small pull but wear my discs down or pull a bit harder and get the same stopping power and be nicer to your discs?
no brainer.

i fancied the carbone lorraine but will try the goldfren.
i tried sbs on my zx10 and 6 and really liked them.
on my zx6r i ride with mostly litre bikes plus ive ridden with  all the fast/insane lads in my area and none of them can outbrake me, that is the one thing i seem to be good at. even though i sometimes end up coming to a rest in fields . . .
i set my lever so it is about 5 mm from the grip at full braking as i have small hands.
severe braking without abs is almost a black art.
i dont even know how to set up the abs/ktc? on my gtr  . . yet

[Kwikasfuki]

The OEM pads very good.

I'll be putting on EBC HH once the current set has worn out.

Brakes and tyres I don't skimp on.

[Andy]

"This year's Darwin award goes to the rider who cured his binding front brakes by removing the caliper bolts and using bungees to lash the brakes to the bottom of the yoke, what could possibly go wrong? No seriously its true......"

© Rapid Training 2014 Spring update

http://rapidtraining.co.uk/

[nogoslow]

I personally wouldn't touch EBC for use in heavy bikes. I've always found them to be good for light weight (upto 600cc) bikes but not in big heavy bikes.

I had used EBC for years in my road and race bikes. I converted to SBS a few years ago after they were recommended to me for use in my 2005 ZX10. They were well known for having crap brakes (lever to the bar brown trouser moments were commonplace) and most people seemed to fit a Brembo M'cyl to cure it. I did exactly the same (with EBC pads fitted) and the brakes were much better. But once i tried the SBS (in RS compound on that bike) they were so good, with better stopping power and less fade than any pad i had ever used before i ended up putting the standard M'cyl back on and selling the Brembo. I've used SBS ever since.

Dual carbon are race only as they only work when really hot.
RS are good for fast road/track
HS or street excel as they are often called are good for normal road riding but fine if you want to give the bike a bit of stick.

easy enough to find on fleabay. Around £60 for the full set for the front.

[Andy]

I personally wouldn't touch EBC for use in heavy bikes. I've always found them to be good for light weight (upto 600cc) bikes but not in big heavy bikes.

I had used EBC for years in my road and race bikes. I converted to SBS a few years ago after they were recommended to me for use in my 2005 ZX10. They were well known for having crap brakes (lever to the bar brown trouser moments were commonplace) and most people seemed to fit a Brembo M'cyl to cure it. I did exactly the same (with EBC pads fitted) and the brakes were much better. But once i tried the SBS (in RS compound on that bike) they were so good, with better stopping power and less fade than any pad i had ever used before i ended up putting the standard M'cyl back on and selling the Brembo. I've used SBS ever since.

Dual carbon are race only as they only work when really hot.
RS are good for fast road/track
HS or street excel as they are often called are good for normal road riding but fine if you want to give the bike a bit of stick.

easy enough to find on fleabay. Around £60 for the full set for the front.

The prices on ebay are suspiciously low...http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=sbs+806+HS&_sop=15

http://uk.sbs.dk/media/63025/sbs_01680982201_2014.pdf

I've got EBC Extreme Pro Race on my GSXR1000 K8 and are fine for road and track days. made in USA, Concours 14 forums have riders using EBC

[aljaxon]

loads of different opinions but i think i will take more notice of the techy backed replies
ta for your input.