Brake pad life

[jtopiso_imp]

I am surprised at how many of you guys are wearing out the rear pads before the front. I replaced my front pads at 22,838 miles and they were worn nearly to the bottom of the wear slots. I replaced my read pads at 24,660 miles; they still had about 25% of the original material left, but I was changing the rear tire so it made it easier to change the pads at the same time. I always try to time my pad replacement with a tire change. I have never worn rear pads out before font pads on any of my bikes.

Recent street riding technique is suggesting more use of rear brake than in past decades. Maybe it is related to the fact that most modern bikes have ABS and rear lock-up is uncommon. In any case, the motive is to help improve the probability of a stable stop, and be a part in the application of trail braking.

Agreeably, older school methods would preserve the rear brake pads longer, but "modern" approaches use the rear brake more.

Recent street riding technique is suggesting more use of rear brake than in past decades. Maybe it is related to the fact that most modern bikes have ABS and rear lock-up is uncommon. In any case, the motive is to help improve the probability of a stable stop, and be a part in the application of trail braking.

Agreeably, older school methods would preserve the rear brake pads longer, but "modern" approaches use the rear brake more. I am all in favor of rear brake usage, when applicable. Was unaware of the modern street riding techniques that put emphasis on the rear brake to be honest. With most tires being directional, and the rear still having a smaller single disc, with a tiny little caliper and pads to match, and modern motorcycles having all the tech imaginable (ABS, cornering ABS, riding modes, traction control, smart suspension, multiple axis IMU's) I would imagine the emphasis to be on the front brake more then ever. I would use the rear only for holding the bike on a uphill slope, low speed control and heavy braking.
Having said that, my experience on the CB1100 is not long, have only ridden it for about 4000km so far, but on my last 5 bikes (dirt bike included) the front pads wore off way before the rear pads. Sold my Tiger 1050 with 65000km, still running original rear pads.

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Recent street riding technique is suggesting more use of rear brake than in past decades. Maybe it is related to the fact that most modern bikes have ABS and rear lock-up is uncommon. In any case, the motive is to help improve the probability of a stable stop, and be a part in the application of trail braking.

Agreeably, older school methods would preserve the rear brake pads longer, but "modern" approaches use the rear brake more. I am all in favor of rear brake usage, when applicable. Was unaware of the modern street riding techniques that put emphasis on the rear brake to be honest. With most tires being directional, and the rear still having a smaller single disc, with a tiny little caliper and pads to match, and modern motorcycles having all the tech imaginable (ABS, cornering ABS, riding modes, traction control, smart suspension, multiple axis IMU's) I would imagine the emphasis to be on the front brake more then ever. I would use the rear only for holding the bike on a uphill slope, low speed control and heavy braking.
Having said that, my experience on the CB1100 is not long, have only ridden it for about 4000km so far, but on my last 5 bikes (dirt bike included) the front pads wore off way before the rear pads. Sold my Tiger 1050 with 65000km, still running original rear pads.

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For me, what I have been taught in two different defensive driving courses (and my experience confirms this theory), the most efficient way to brake is:

-start with the rear brake: this helps keeping the attitude of the bike (so you will have less front dive-in) due to the anti-lift geometry of the rear suspension
-Then (shortly after) apply front brake as required, ideally increasing rear pressure proportionally to the front brake pressure application.

For normal, calm braking, it's good habit. For hard, emergency braking, it can save your life.

Another thing is braking distance, and this is an easy test anyone can do, with ABS, braking as hard as possible from a given point:
-only rear: longest braking distance
-only front: shorter braking distance
-both front and rear: SHORTEST braking distance. Always.

So, using front and rear is the safest. Using the rear slightly before the front, will give you better control of the bike (less dive-in). Using the proper techniques during easy driving will make you to be ready if/when an emergency occurs.

So I use both, but I get more wear on the front (as most of the braking effort goes where you have the most of the grip during braking due to the load transfer, which is the front end).