Which front brake pads?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
Which front brake pads?
I need to replace my front pads on my 2006 ultra classic. I see so many choices my head spins. Kevlar, Semi metallic , Metallic , organic.
Help me choose , I want the best stopping ability first and foremost. Noise and dust are my secondary concerns. I guess two new rotors are in order as well.
Help me choose , I want the best stopping ability first and foremost. Noise and dust are my secondary concerns. I guess two new rotors are in order as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
If the rotors are smooth and not under(there is a thickness on them) they are good for about three sets of pads. My opinion is at a minimum, 4 set should be a total rebuild of calipers and masters...No one makes a pad that stops any better than Harley. They are a little dirty, however. Think they are a soft organic metallic.
Really easy to get pads that last longer. However, they do not stop as well and quite often make noisy if the rotors get packed. Especially on the older 4 piston jobs if a piston is tighter than it's mates.
Really easy to get pads that last longer. However, they do not stop as well and quite often make noisy if the rotors get packed. Especially on the older 4 piston jobs if a piston is tighter than it's mates.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 1, 2017 at 11:19 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
I had EBC installed on the rear of my bike once - they were shot in 7k miles while the HD rears last about 35-40k miles. Front HD pads are averaging about 20-25k miles. Both front and rear rotors were just about min spec at 80k (just did the rear at 77k and the fronts are due, I have exactly 80k on the bike). HD makes pads and rotors that last and work really well. Unless something changes I can't see not going with HD parts again, they're just not that expensive that I feel the need to look for alternatives.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Once the rotors have been embedded with any one material, IE semi metallic, you should stay with the same material. Part of the embedding process is pad material is transferred to the rotor, this make for if nothing else a perfect contact area. If you later switch or another type of material, the brakes are less than optimal. YMMV.
I tried Lyndall gold pads on ceramic rotors, they sent me the wrong red pads and on the first test ride down hill it was like throttling up, they said oops and sent the right ones, but the stopping power was never the same as OEM.
I tried Lyndall gold pads on ceramic rotors, they sent me the wrong red pads and on the first test ride down hill it was like throttling up, they said oops and sent the right ones, but the stopping power was never the same as OEM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
EBC HH sintered. EBC V semi sintered for a little less bite.
No problem changing from one brand of pad to another.
https://ebcbrakes.com/articles/motorcycle-bed-in/
.
No problem changing from one brand of pad to another.
https://ebcbrakes.com/articles/motorcycle-bed-in/
.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
If you want EBC's best pad for cruiser applications add EP (extreme performance) to the regular HH pad part #. Example: EPFA???HH.
More power and slightly less rotor wear...according to EBC. But then they cost almost twice as much.
https://www.denniskirk.com/1903220.sku?ad=9456837545
More power and slightly less rotor wear...according to EBC. But then they cost almost twice as much.
https://www.denniskirk.com/1903220.sku?ad=9456837545
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