Front Brakes

[NeedinJustice]

Hey guys...I'm already in need of front brake pads. Any advise as to which ones to buy? My funds are restrictive, so nothing crazy expensive. The pads on the left rotor are gone, but the pads on the right side are fine, but obviously will be replaced too. It would appear to me that something is hinky since they're not wearing evenly. Should I just bite the bullet and take it to the shop because of the uneven wear?

In addition....anyone local who could help me change them out if you all think it would be ok and not screw something up further?

Lauren, any experience in changing out front brakes?

[kevin_stevens]

For what vehicle?

KeS

[NeedinJustice]

My bike...the only one I have. 07 600RR

[kevin_stevens]

You want sintered (not organic) pads from one of the major brands. EBC feel grippy but tend to have poor feel. Galfer and Ferodo tend to be the opposite. Truthfully, if you're not racing, you're unlikely to feel strongly about the differences; find the major brand that is less expensive/on sale.

I don't know how the crossover works on your bike, but it is not uncommon for one caliper to act with more force than the other. According to hydraulic theory it shouldn't happen, but in practice it seems to. Some people swap pads around, caliper to caliper and inside to outside, regularly to even out wear, although this tends to increase squeaking in turn.

The only mechanical issue might be that your caliper pistons are gunked up and not retracting cleanly, for a 2007 bike they are probably due for a good cleaning. There's references on the web or I can talk you through it later, I'm absolutely jammed here at work right now so am being terse.

Just changing the pads would be a 20 minute job. Flush the brake fluid and make it 30 minutes. The pistons would take more time for cleaning.

KeS

[NeedinJustice]

I'll find the time just so I can get her back out on the street. She's all dressed up now and I can't take her anywhere. When I said the pads are gone, I mean GONE. There hasn't been any squeaking or anything, but just "felt" kind of "rough". I'd say the right side has at least half of the pads left.

[bumblebee]

I am not sure how aggressive you ride. I don't buy sintered pads unless I plan to do serious track days because they are really aggressive on the rotors. I generally buy the EBC organic/kevlar pads for my f4i.

The FA 390HH are the EBC pads for your bike and they only come in sintered. I wish I lived closer, I could help you replace those pads and flush the fluid in an afternoon

[kevin_stevens]

Have you ever worn out a set of motorcycle rotors? As in below spec thickness (which is stamped on them)? Just asking, because I've never come close. Sintered work *much* better in rain, which is probably a consideration down there, and I proposed them because they're almost certainly the stock fitment.

KeS

[Fizzer]

Kevin, I spoke with her earlier tonight, and I have to say, the odd thing is the asymetrical wear on one side versus the other. Not the overall wear. One is apparently down to the backing plate, and the other is only half the way through the pad itself. Jenn is NOT a apeshit breaker, and truth be told, I gave her bike a harder workout in Suches Georgia over Memorial day on a 30 minute down-the-mountain run than she has in a year.

[RiverRoadWarrior]

Originally Posted by Fizzer

I gave her bike a harder workout in Suches Georgia over Memorial day on a 30 minute down-the-mountain run than she has in a year.

HA! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!

[NeedinJustice]

I'm going to go ahead and change them myself. I found detailed instructions on the RR forum and then I also had a link sent to me that gives pretty good info too. The link advises that I should replace the metal clips too...thoughts?