brake pad life?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: billings,montana
brake pad life?
hi guys! i've got a 2006 road king with 19,000 miles on the clock. i'm a road rider and want to know the life of the brake pads. any good aftermarket parts and can i save some money? cheers from montana
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
I can't really answer your question but I think alot is determined by your riding style. I'm not a heavy braker....I'm from the school of "downshifting" and allowing the engine to do the bulk of the braking. There are many instances when I only use my brake for the last few feet of a "NORMAL" stop because I downshift alot.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Yes...It does very much depend on your riding style. I can go through a set of pads in a very short time (front pads in particular) when I run hard.
If I ride easy, I can get 20,000 miles out of them.
But they're cheap and easy to replace, so I use'em hard!
If I ride easy, I can get 20,000 miles out of them.
But they're cheap and easy to replace, so I use'em hard!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I'm more of an engine braker as well. I don't use my rear brakes. I put the LRB Z Plus pads in my bike at 5000 miles and I am now at 23500 miles. They still have plenty of pad left. I am thing probably another 10K before I need to change them.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 22
From: Grand Prairie, TX
I'm just about to replace my first set, front and rear, on my Road Glide at 35k. It all depends on how you (or the original owner) ride. Harley says replace them at .016 but I typically error on the side of replacing them before they get quite that thin.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 644
Likes: 31
From: Central Texas
Like others have said all depends on how and where you ride. I have 40k on my stock HD pads and they have life left, I've got new pads ready but probably go another 3-5k before I replace.
Clif
Clif
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
I have 22k on my oem pads, they look great...
Last edited by dochawken; Aug 6, 2014 at 04:36 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 2
From: somewhere in "The Peoples' Republic of Illinois
As noted, riding style has the most effect on pad life. I have 51,000+ on my FLHT and I've changed the rear pads with almost every rear tire change (5 tires total). Have second set of pads on front. I use the rear mostly but downshift for slowing so the pads don't last as long back there.
You can look at the pads from underneath to see how thin they are. Never let them wear into the steel backing. Pads are cheaper to replace than most rotors.
No matter how pretty, fast or radical your bike is it has to stop when you really NEED it to! Always remember: "What's your life worth!"
You can look at the pads from underneath to see how thin they are. Never let them wear into the steel backing. Pads are cheaper to replace than most rotors.
No matter how pretty, fast or radical your bike is it has to stop when you really NEED it to! Always remember: "What's your life worth!"
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 6
From: Riverside, Ca.
I personally use the brakes over down shifting. I figure brake pads are cheaper and easier to replace than clutches and drive belts. Opinions are what makes the world go round as long as they only affect the one making them.