Topic: brake pad lifespan?

[Bob550four]

Lately I've been noting some squeaking in my front brake, and have observed that my outside pad is showing a lot of wear,  so I'm considering replacing my pads.   

My question, is how long do brake pads generally last on a bike like this in stop and go traffic?    I've got JUST shy of 8k miles on my (I think) original pads.

[Gordon]

That's a good question.  I have yet to replace a set of brake pads on any of my bikes that I installed myself.  The pads on my 750 are almost 4 years old and have over 12K on them, and they still have plenty of meat left. 

[merc2dogs]

 Normally a lot more than 8000.
 see if tracking is adjusted correctly and that the pad is able to be pushed back into the bore easily.
 Either one will cause rapid wear
  sounds like it is pulled in towards the wheel with the adjuster.

Ken.

[jsaab2748]

Normally a lot more than 8000.
 see if tracking is adjusted correctly and that the pad is able to be pushed back into the bore easily.
 Either one will cause rapid wear
  sounds like it is pulled in towards the wheel with the adjuster.

Ken.

+1.  still have the oe pads on mine. I'd post the miles, but folks would say I'm lying..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

My rear pads are original but they only have 29K miles on them. Plenty of pad left before the red indicator lines.

[crazypj]

Stock single disc on 550 got around 8~10,000 miles.
When I fitted dual disc front end it dropped to about 6,000 miles to two sets of front pads (one set of rear brake shoes in 105,000 miles)
PJ

[edbikerii]

It depends on how and where you ride, and what compound your brake pads are.  If you ride in the city in constant stop-and-go traffic, or if you ride on the track a lot, you'll get fewer miles out of a set of pads.

My brand-new Yamaha only got ~3000 miles out of the first set of front pads riding around in NYC.

[Bob550four]

You have an excellent point, I do tend to do a LOT of stop and go driving, since its all I can do out here.   

are there any brake pad compounds that will last longer for this or am I just doomed to replacing pads constantly?

[Gordon]

You have an excellent point, I do tend to do a LOT of stop and go driving, since its all I can do out here.   

are there any brake pad compounds that will last longer for this or am I just doomed to replacing pads constantly?

I'd worry more about how well they grip than how long they last.  Besides, it should only take a few minutes to switch out disc brake pads.

Are you absolutely sure the brakes aren't dragging, even a little bit?  That would wear them out much faster.

[Bob550four]

I had the bike up on the jack earlier today to look at it,  I was wrong about the pads being worn, they're equal, but I still cant figure why the hell my brake squeeks.   

but you're definately right about grip over longevity too. I'd rather the brakes stop the bike than not.

[CBJoe]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=24769.0

I'm gonna read this one real close when i rebuild my brakes this spring.

[Kevin D]

I made 30000 miles before replacing my front pads. I've done that twice. City/rural driving.

[Bodi]

From my experience, it's a wonder when they don't squeal.

[troppo]

i think a big part is the riders style, and the bikes character....
no rider has the same style on the brakes as another and no bike (even sequential numbers off the production line) have the same characteristics when ridden theres been a lot of good options here gonna have to try and remember a few
cheers
troppo

[Soos]

So far on my dual disk front end (cb650) I have gotten 5000+ miles on new pads.

And i'd say i have 2/3 to 1/2 of the life of the pads left, about 70%/30% - highway/city miles.


l8r