Brake Pad Comparison Test
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Brake Pad Comparison Test
I friend of mine using EBC Sintered brake pads questioned why I choose Twin Power X-Stop, we agreed to disagree about which was better. In the end, I put EBC in the front left caliper and X-Stop in the right caliper. Brand new out of the box, EBC has more pad material, but after 8,000 miles Twin Power X-Stop beats them by a long shot. I'll take and provide actual measurements after I get back to the shop next week.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Not sure what you're trying to show. That one material is softer than the other?
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Not sure what you're trying to show. That one material is softer than the other?
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Not sure what you're trying to show. That one material is softer than the other?
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
For those of you diehards who think OEM is the only way to go for all parts … go ahead and waste your money. BTW, did you know that all HD oils is actually manufactured by CITGO?? Yep. Oh yeah, HD Coolant is actually Peak Global life. Do you actually think HD scientifically studies and creates their own formulas and parts??? All they do is put they name on another brand (under a memorandum of agreement of course) and raise the price. HD buys the parts at the cheapest price point without embarrassing themselves and then asks what their customers will pay for it under the HD name. I haven't figured out who making their "Platinum DOT4" brake fluid but I promise you, HD is laughing all the way to the bank on that one.
Last edited by CSMHOG; Jul 22, 2018 at 09:02 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 22
From: Not here
Lyndall pads in all my Harleys I've owned. Only run the stock pads for a few miles then change them out. I have found them to offer awesome shopping powder and better more positive feel. Plus the fact they are made in the USA.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
I friend of mine using EBC Sintered brake pads questioned why I choose Twin Power X-Stop, we agreed to disagree about which was better. In the end, I put EBC in the front left caliper and X-Stop in the right caliper. Brand new out of the box, EBC has more pad material, but after 8,000 miles Twin Power X-Stop beats them by a long shot. I'll take and provide actual measurements after I get back to the shop next week.
Therefore, your comparison wouldn't be valid on a bike like mine; 2016 Road Glide w/linked ABS brakes.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 205
From: Manchester, MI
Joe,
Your post makes no sense. How does using the rear brake have any impact on the different temperatures of the two front rotors? Are you saying that more of the front stopping power is achieved by the left front disk brake? If this is what you are saying, you have a problem with your brakes.
OP,
Actually, your method of comparing brake pads would be correct. As others suggest, swapping out pads between two different brands in preset intervals would not work outside a lab.
All of this assumes the only goal is to see which brake pad lasts longer.
However:
Your post makes no sense. How does using the rear brake have any impact on the different temperatures of the two front rotors? Are you saying that more of the front stopping power is achieved by the left front disk brake? If this is what you are saying, you have a problem with your brakes.
OP,
Actually, your method of comparing brake pads would be correct. As others suggest, swapping out pads between two different brands in preset intervals would not work outside a lab.
All of this assumes the only goal is to see which brake pad lasts longer.
However:
- To make it a true comparison, in set intervals, you would have to switch pads from the left side of the bike to the right side to make sure each caliper is applying the same force
- You would have to install a pressure monitoring device to see if you have to apply more force on the brake lever to achieve the same stopping results using different pads
- If you found a pad that lasts longer but you have to increase the pressure applied to the rotor, your hand will fatigue faster
- If the pad does not wear as fast, there is a good chance that the rotor is wearing faster
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Joe,
Your post makes no sense. How does using the rear brake have any impact on the different temperatures of the two front rotors? Are you saying that more of the front stopping power is achieved by the left front disk brake? If this is what you are saying, you have a problem with your brakes.
Your post makes no sense. How does using the rear brake have any impact on the different temperatures of the two front rotors? Are you saying that more of the front stopping power is achieved by the left front disk brake? If this is what you are saying, you have a problem with your brakes.
I confirmed this. I rode my bike around the block and used only the rear brake, briskly. When I stopped and checked, the front left rotor was too hot to touch. The front right rotor was ambient temperature.
I hope this helps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Not sure what you're trying to show. That one material is softer than the other?
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
Mixing different materials/ brands is not, to my mind, a good test. Nor does it say anything about relative stopping power of the different brands.
If you want a truer comparison put one set on for 2 or 3k miles then the other for the same and make measurements as a percentage compared to new. You could also measure stopping distances cold and hot, new and used, how hot they get etc.
Now those would be meaningful comparisons.
The above test is also skewed as one caliper is further from the master cylinder.