Question re front brake pads

[Fatt Max]

Hi Guys,

My VL250 is 8 months old and having it's 6000lm service at the moment. I noticed that the front brakes were very noisy and now the service guy is telling me that the pads have to be replaced.

Not too up on this but does anyone know how long a set of pads should last? I use it as a communter bike and dont rely heavily on the front brake only, preferring to use both front and back at the same time.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated

[cs363]

Unfortunately that's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions :)

It depends on far too many variables to give an accurate answer. I wouldn't think that the standard pads on a VL are super high quality, but I'm only guessing. Generally better quality pads will last longer than the many cheap no-name brands but again, very subjective.

On a bike like yours 6K does seem a bit on the low side to be replacing pads, but this may have been aggravated by a sticky caliper piston causing uneven wear or similar. You are probably better to ask your mechanic why he thinks the pads have worn so quickly and whether the caliper should be overhauled etc.

Best of luck with it. :)

[CookMySock]

I'm amazed to see the front pads on my vtwin 650 in great condition after 16,000km, But I go easy on the pies and I don't pull the clutch in and freewheel up to corners.

Steve

[Fatt Max]

Unfortunately that's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions :)

It depends on far too many variables to give an accurate answer. I wouldn't think that the standard pads on a VL are super high quality, but I'm only guessing. Generally better quality pads will last longer than the many cheap no-name brands but again, very subjective.

On a bike like yours 6K does seem a bit on the low side to be replacing pads, but this may have been aggravated by a sticky caliper piston causing uneven wear or similar. You are probably better to ask your mechanic why he thinks the pads have worn so quickly and whether the caliper should be overhauled etc.

Best of luck with it. :)

Cheers dude, much appreciated

[Owl]

Our VL has only done 1400km, so too soon to tell.

My S3 on the other hand has done 23,000km on the original front pads, with probably 3-4000km left. I'm not hard on them though and do have good engine braking. Rear pads were replaced at 16,000km.

[pete376403]

Ask to see the pads that were removed, just so you know what they look like, etc.

Pads will not make a noise from wear until they are right down to the metal back plate.
Brakes can squeal but I believe that is more due to a high frequency "buzz" between the pad and the piston. Many brakes have a thin metal shim to prevent noise, another trick is a (very) thin smear of copper grease (eg copr kote or similar) on the BACK of the pad.

New pads will have a groove cut to about 2/3rd depth across the face, helps clear dust and water from the braking surface, Whne the pads have worn down to the bottom of the groove it's time for replacement.

FWIW I got 12000 km out of the front pads of the KLR. Rear pads are virtually unmarked.

[MSTRS]

Geeze, some of you are hard on brakes.
I got my 750 at 18,000kms and some time later I ended up with warped discs. When I replaced them, I also fitted new pads. The bike has now done 50,000kms and the pads are about the same wear as the old ones (kept as spares) about 3~3.5mm. And I've never changed the rear pads.

[Fatt Max]

It must be the extra weight I apply to the front of the bike when I brake, eh...

Bit like rooting really. I tell the missus that I only have a 2 inch cock but have 140kg to push it in with......seems to do the trick

[FROSTY]

6000km sounds an awfully short life span on a littly