Brake Pad life Expectancy
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Brake Pad life Expectancy
Just turned over 8000 miles on my 08 e-glide today and had to order front and rear pads for it tonight, ordered lyndalls hoping to get a little more life out of them. The fronts probaly have another couple thousand miles left in them the but the rear is getting thin and starting to squeel like crazy. So i was just wondering what is everyone else getting out of the stock pads? 8000 miles seems way to soon to me. Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 33
It depends on how much you use the brakes. If you downshift and use engine braking you will get better brake life than someone who holds the clutch in and brakes all the way to the stop. Do you watch far enough ahead so that you can control your speed with throttle alone or do you stay in the throttle and brake hard coming to stops? Weight will also be a factor. Do you ride solo or 2 up most of the time? Are you 160 lbs or 360 lbs? How much does your passenger weigh?
It all makes a difference. So it's really hard to compare brake life between different riders. I have 20k on both front and rears right now, but about 8-9k of it was interstate. I don't need to touch the brakes much on the interstate.
It all makes a difference. So it's really hard to compare brake life between different riders. I have 20k on both front and rears right now, but about 8-9k of it was interstate. I don't need to touch the brakes much on the interstate.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
hmmm I'm in LOVE with "trail braking", and I toss the pads, when I do front tires, about 20-25k miles
Pads are still good, as are the tires, it's just that those are the two things in life I have NO interest in saving money on
Pads are still good, as are the tires, it's just that those are the two things in life I have NO interest in saving money on
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,621
Likes: 1
From: Matthews, NC
I change my pads when I change my tires....whether they need replacement or not. The wheel is already off...less labor...less cost...
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
way to soon boss. shud go at least 2-3 times that far. ride lite and downshift and back out of throttle sooner. i see where you live(hills) i live and ride 100% in east TN, all hill riding. my front and rear last 18-21k and still some left. i brake about equal on lever effort from front to rear depending on road conditions
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
25,000 miles, still original pads. Just had it serviced yesterday, pads at 1/2 worn. Mostly one up, highway, and I too downshift smoothly, usually braking just before I stop. Same with my Hyundai Santa Fe. 44,000 miles and the pads still have lots of wear. A friend of ours has the same car, replaced his brakes at 24,000 miles. But, he does left foot braking (fancies himself a Nascar driver) so I'm sure he is dragging the brakes a lot.
The wrench says why change pads when they'll last until the next tire wears out. I imagine the rear pads will last the 15,000 per rear tire I get. Quien sabe?
The wrench says why change pads when they'll last until the next tire wears out. I imagine the rear pads will last the 15,000 per rear tire I get. Quien sabe?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Alberta, Canada
Lyndall pads are the only way to go. My '08 RKC brakes squealed something fierce from day one. Replaced them before the bike hit the 5000 mile mark and never regretted it (Silence is golden). Today I have 16K on the bike and lots of pad left. Mind you, I don't use the rear brake much and I engine brake unless some cager catches me off guard.