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[Jswerve]

Hey looking for a ballpark figure on when everyone is replacing front and rear pads. I haven't done them yet on mine and I have 15.3k miles so far.

Jesse

[grc]

Hey looking for a ballpark figure on when everyone is replacing front and rear pads. I haven't done them yet on mine and I have 15.3k miles so far.

Jesse

Brake pad life is one more of those highly variable items Jesse, and you can't really go by what someone else claims for mileage.  If you do a lot of stop and go riding, your brakes will wear out a lot faster than the guys who get on the interstate and just ride until they need to add gas (and drain the plumbing).  It's much better to just measure the pads and change them before they reach the wear limit.  Eyeballing the pads is one of the things I do when I do my weekly tire pressure and general condition checks.  Btw, the wear limit is about 1 mm, or .040", of pad material remaining, but I don't let mine get below 1.5 mm or .060".  Check all the pads, and go by the one with the least amount remaining. 

Jerry

[Jswerve]

Brake pad life is one more of those highly variable items Jesse, and you can't really go by what someone else claims for mileage.  If you do a lot of stop and go riding, your brakes will wear out a lot faster than the guys who get on the interstate and just ride until they need to add gas (and drain the plumbing).  It's much better to just measure the pads and change them before they reach the wear limit.  Eyeballing the pads is one of the things I do when I do my weekly tire pressure and general condition checks.  Btw, the wear limit is about 1 mm, or .040", of pad material remaining, but I don't let mine get below 1.5 mm or .040".  Check all the pads, and go by the one with the least amount remaining. 

Jerry

I figured.  I do an eyeball check when I do a pretrip. Thanks Jerry.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[GeogiaCVOrider]

I ride in the mountains of north Georgia a lot. 12,000 on rear brakes, 24,000 on front. The rule of thomb. 2 rears to one set of front.

[ultrarider123]

Jesse, just replaced my rear pads at 30% life left at 21,000 miles.  Fronts still have plenty to go.  I'm a "engine compression" breaker and try to stay off my brakes as much as safely possible.  On downhill runs, it's rare I use my brakes in normal operation.  I was a bit surprised the rears lasted that long on Ginger, however.  I use both front and rear to slow/stop but use my rear brake a bit more (trail braking, red lights/stop signs and such) so I always expect to change those pads more often plus there is only one caliper vs two for the front...and it's such a fun time to change 'em!

[FlaHeatWave]

'Got about 19k out of the rear pads on the '09 ( a buddy of mine put a tire on it in San Diego last fall, and said it was a good time to replace 'em)

The other 2 bikes, I don't have a clue

[2018_FLTRXSE]

On my '09 I got 26K (Or 29?) out of the fronts (rears still had a lot left)

As an FYI there was almost nothing left of the fronts.. the pad was paper thin at that point.

I did my '12 at 23K because it was in the shop for tires.

[willyB]

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation says that 70% of a motorcycles braking power is from the front brake.

I brake with both brakes. Mainly with the front to pull down the initial speed and apply the back to control the speed of deceleration.

I tend to go thru front brakes a little faster than the back.

[Jswerve]

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation says that 70% of a motorcycles braking power is from the front brake.

I brake with both brakes. Mainly with the front to pull down the initial speed and apply the back to control the speed of deceleration.

I tend to go thru front brakes a little faster than the back.

I use both. I downshift a lot to save brakes though. I only use the rear when maneuvering to a stop in parking lots, etc.

[2harleys]

Traded 2006 SEUC with stock brakes that had 35K.  My 2010 SEUC HAS 32K and still has original pads. 

[Skillet]

I get around 7,500 on the rear and 15,000 on the front.

[Jswerve]

Wow. I guess riding style has a much bigger impact then I thought. Got a guy getting 35k on them and another getting 7.5k and 15k. I'll just keep my eyeballs on 'em!

[cahdbiker]

Jswerve, I am at around 18,300 miles. About 80% long trips and the rest local riding. I checked the front and they looked great, but on the back the outside pad was still fine, but the inside pad was getting down there so I had them replace by the dealer. It came to $112.00 parts and labor. However while I was there I let them flush all my hydraulic lines because they said the brake fluid was contaminated and the recommended interval for this is every two years. I got my bike in Aug of 08, so I thought all right go ahead. It took them two additional hours labor. So my little $112.00 trip turned into $354.59. I would  say that when checking your pads take a really good look at the inside pad they seem to wear out quicker then the outside pad. This has been my experience on my 09 and also on my 95 Heritage. Sometimes they might look good from one angle then when you really crawl around with a good light you can see that they are a lot more worn than you think at first glance. The pads are not that expensive compared to having a new rotor installed. CAHDBIKER

[Jswerve]

Jswerve, I am at around 18,300 miles. About 80% long trips and the rest local riding. I checked the front and they looked great, but on the back the outside pad was still fine, but the inside pad was getting down there so I had them replace by the dealer. It came to $112.00 parts and labor. However while I was there I let them flush all my hydraulic lines because they said the brake fluid was contaminated and the recommended interval for this is every two years. I got my bike in Aug of 08, so I thought all right go ahead. It took them two additional hours labor. So my little $112.00 trip turned into $354.59. I would  say that when checking your pads take a really good look at the inside pad they seem to wear out quicker then the outside pad. This has been my experience on my 09 and also on my 95 Heritage. Sometimes they might look good from one angle then when you really crawl around with a good light you can see that they are a lot more worn than you think at first glance. The pads are not that expensive compared to having a new rotor installed. CAHDBIKER

Great advice. I am having a rear tire put on next week so I will have a great look at the rears then. 

[Skillet]

Wow. I guess riding style has a much bigger impact then I thought. Got a guy getting 35k on them and another getting 7.5k and 15k. I'll just keep my eyeballs on 'em!

I live in South Korea and there are a lot of mountains here that I prefer to try and tame and I ride pretty hard so the brakes get a workout. So riding style does have a big impact on wear.