It is unlikely that a rider doesn’t understand the importance of quality brake pads. After all, it is how well the motorcycle brakes that keep you safe when riding. So, it’s essential to find high-quality brake pads that can provide you with the most secure braking experience possible. Here we’ve listed some of the best motorcycle brake pads available today if you are interested.
Best Overall – EBC Brakes Complete Brake Pad Kit
Premium Choice – Lyndall Racing
Honorable Mention – EBC FA196HH or EBC FA174HH
Best Value – ECCPP Front & Rear Brake Pad Kit
Best Full Brake Pad Kit – EBC EBPCK1027 or EBC EBPCK1030
Best Anti-Dust Brake Pad – EBC Brakes Redstuff Ceramic
Best for Harley Davidson Touring – EBC Double-H or ECCPP FA409
Best for Harley Softail, Sportster – ECCPP FA400 or Zinger 400
Best Dirt Bike Brake Pads – PRO BAT or GOOFIT
Working Mechanism of Brake Pads
A vehicle equipped with disc brakes has brake pads that push against a rotating disc to slow the car down without wearing out the brake rotors. It’s similar to how a person might slide their shoes on a basketball court to try and stop suddenly. They are made from materials that will wear out slowly but do not warp or rust easily.
When drivers press their foot down on the brake pedal, pressurized fluid travels from the master cylinder to the calipers attached to each wheel. The pressure causes pistons inside the brake caliper to push against brake pads that squeeze the brake rotors. This causes you to slow down or stop if you are driving.
Motorcycle Brake Pad Types
Motorcycle brake pads are made up of many different components, including the backing plate and the friction material. The backing plate supports the entire weight of the motorcycle, so it must be strong enough to support this load. The most common types of backings include organic, metallic, sintered metal (ceramic), and semi-metallic.
Organic
Organic brake pads are designed to reduce or eliminate warping, which can result in noise. These pads are typically the quietest because they have good stopping power but do not produce much noise when you use them.
Metallic
Metallic brake pads contain metal fibers that cause the pads to stay strong even at high temperatures. They are designed to provide you with the highest stopping power possible but can be loud.
Semi-Metallic
Semi-metallic brake pads contain both organic materials and metallic fibers. They are designed to provide you with good stopping power, low noise, and heat resistance. Keep in mind that they will wear out faster than organic and ceramic types.
Ceramic
Ceramic brake pads contain ceramic material that provides you with the best stopping power. They reduce rust and oxidation, which can help them last two or three times as long as other types. Ceramic brake pads produce more noise than other pads but provide you with the best stopping power.
Best Motorcycle Brake Pads – Top Table
Who Makes the Best Motorcycle Brake Pads
Galfer: Galfer is a trusted name in the brake industry as they have been providing people with performance motorcycle components for years.
EBC: They are known for their high-quality motorcycle brake pads and focus on providing riders with performance products that can help them safely stop when riding.
ECCPP: While many companies focus on only one product, ECCPP is different because it provides a better overall riding experience.
Lyndall Racing: Lyndall Racing prides itself on manufacturing a unique line of products designed to improve your motorcycle’s performance.
BikeMaster: BikeMaster creates high-quality products designed to improve the performance of your motorcycle.
Buying Considerations – Get a Powerful Brake Pad
The pads that you choose for your motorcycle are extremely pertinent as they provide the only thing stopping your bike from moving. When deciding which type of pad is best, there are a few things to keep in mind, including:
Motorcycle Type
Your first consideration should be what kind of motorcycle you have, as some motorcycle brake pads are better for certain models. For instance, if you have a cruiser or touring motorcycle, semi-metallic or metallic pads work best because they provide the longest life and highest stopping power.
Sustainability
Depending on what kind of motorcycle you have, you may want to consider how environmentally friendly the pad is. For example, organic motorcycle brake pads made with low-impact materials provide you with excellent stopping power yet do not cause much noise or dust when braking.
Brand Reputation
It’s also vital to think about the reputation of the company that manufactures your motorcycle brake pads. For example, Galfer is known for manufacturing high-quality performance parts.
Rotor Type
Before getting a motorcycle brake pad, you should check what your rotor looks like. For instance, if the rotor has worn down the thickness of its metal significantly, you will need brake pads with a higher coefficient of friction to ensure that they do not wear down quickly.
Driving Condition
Another stuff is where you use your motorcycle and under what driving conditions. Suppose you use your bike mainly on the track or highway; you will want to get more aggressive pads designed for high speeds. However, if you ride primarily on the street, semi-metallic or organic brake pads will give you plenty of stopping power while not making too much noise.
Sintered or Organic Brake Pads – Which is Better?
Sintered Pads are manufactured by compressing the materials and turning them into an extremely hard form. It means they can perform well under most conditions and offer excellent stopping power. But, they are really hard and can potentially damage your rotors, which is the downside of sintered brake pads.
Organic motorcycle brake pads use fiberglass, kevlar, or aramid to provide the stopping power needed for motorcycles. They are anti-dust and quieter than semi-metallic pads and can be safely used on off-road motorcycles. They wear out more quickly than semi-metallic or metallic brake pads due to their softer nature.
Both the sintered or organic have their pros and cons and are good at their ways. It is you who need to figure out what has more compatibility with your requirements or preference.
Ceramic or Metallic Brake Pads – What is Better?
The decision between ceramic motorcycle brake pads or metallic ones is ultimately up to you. However, the metallic braking systems are slightly more durable and better for high-speed driving conditions.
Ceramic brake pads are made from a mixture of ceramic fibers and resin. The best thing about ceramic pads is that they last a long time and provide excellent stopping power.
Metallic brake pads use a mixture of different metal alloys to create a material capable of withstanding high heat levels. Meticulous drivers will appreciate metallic brake pads because they are super durable and perform well even under harsh driving conditions.
How to Check if Your Moto Brake Pads Need Replacement?
The easiest way to determine if you need to switch out your motorcycle brake pads is to inspect them. Signs that it’s time for new motorcycle brake pads include –
- If your bike makes a high-pitched squealing noise when braking;
- If you notice blue smoke coming from your brakes;
- If the inner surface of the brake pad looks shiny;
- If your motorcycle brake pads have grooves on the side of them;
Experiencing any of these conditions is a potential signal that it may be the time to purchase a new set of brake pads. So, check, get confirmed and replace the worn one.
Replacing Brake Pads on a Motorcycle – Tools & Process
Replacing brake pads should be one of the easier maintenance jobs on your motorcycle. To ensure that you do not cause unnecessary damage to your bike, get the down-stated tools and follow how to replace brake pads on a motorcycle:
Required Tools
- Motorcycle Brake Pad Removal Tool or Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Hammer Small
- Flat-Head Screwdriver
- Wire Brush
- New Brake Pads
- Cleaner Lubricant
Process to Follow
Step 1 – Raise your bike off of the ground with a stand or lift.
Step 2 – Remove the wheel of your motorcycle.
Step 3 – Take off any pieces attached to the brake pad used for adjustment. You can use a screwdriver or socket wrench.
Step 4 – Remove the old brake pads by pulling them out of their mounts
Step 5 – Clean off your brakes with an alcohol wipe
Step 6 – Apply fresh brake fluid to your new brake pads
Step 7 – Reinstall the new brake pads into their mounts and attach any adjustment pieces that need to be attached.
Step 8 – Reinstall the wheel of your motorcycle and lower your bike onto the ground.
Finally, test out your brake pads by applying them while your motorcycle is on a stand or lift.
How Often Should You Change Your Brake Pads?
Recommendation is there to have your brake pads checked every 10,000 – 20,000 miles. However, that’s relative, and, therefore, it is always best to keep an eye on when you need new brake pads yourself by checking the wear of your brakes after every ride. If you are unsure when changing your motorcycle brakes or how to do so correctly, be sure to check out online or offline experts.
Should You Lubricate Brake Pads on Your Motorcycle?
It is not necessary to lubricate your brake pads. Most modern brake pads come equipped with synthetic oil that will allow for smooth braking. In some cases, applying too much lubricant to your brake pads can lead the pads to wear away at a faster rate. However, if you do decide to apply some lubricant to your brake pads, we recommend using a high-quality brake lube.
What is Brake Fade? What Brake Pads Can Reduce It?
Brake fade is when your motorcycle’s brakes lose performance due to excessive heat. It can happen during prolonged periods of hard braking or in colder weather.
When this happens, you will feel a much harder time stopping your motorcycle than you probably should. If you are experiencing brake fade, change the pads as soon as possible. Ceramic and semi-metallic materials dissipate heat faster than organic materials in cheaper brake pads.
Concluding Remarks
What to choose is entirely up to your requirements and driving conditions. We’ve shown every possible resource and the choice is yours!
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