brake pads which is best?

[modmaster_imp]

I would like to buy new brake pads for my 2013 1100 and was thinking of just buying the pads from Honda. Has anyone else done this? Or is this more expensive than after market? Babbitt wants $49.00 for front but I'm assuming that's only for 1 caliper right? $32.82 for the rear. I'd have close to $150.00 in pads with the shipping and all. What is the best way to go that you guys have found?

modmaster

 

[INTP_imp]

Get the EBC HH pads from Amazon.

 

[kennyw]

I just spent about $85 at amazon on the EBC pads. Get two sets for the front.

 

[the Ferret]

I went with stock Honda pads because I think they are fine for my riding and last a long time. I will be changing mine out soon as they have over 19,000 miles on them. I also use stock Honda pads on my ST 1300. Then again I use stock Honda oil filters, Honda air filters and Honda GN4 dyno oil too.

 

[Jim21680_imp]

I just ordered the stock pads too, from Partzilla (just under $100 for the front / about $27 for the rear). I picked up a couple oil filters and the filter wrench too, along with the caliper bolts (and RLETS!!!)....it all came to about $175 shipped. I thought about going with cheaper pads, but it wasn't about the money (you won't save all that much by going with EBC anyway). I am totally happy with the braking performance of the stock pads; they're also silent, their dusting is light and easy to clean, and they don't seem to eat the rotors very much. I could never find out if the stock pads are sintered or organic, but the EBC HH pads are sintered. I wasn't sure if they'd eat the rotors quicker or dust more or be noisy, so I just played it safe. I probably paid $25 bucks more, but I saved that in not paying shipping from two different sources (since I was getting the other things too).

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Any reputable aftermarket brand will do. I've used both of these brands, and EBC, and they all perform, and last, as the pads the bike came with.

The prices shown are AUD. From Honda about 70 - 100+AUD. OEM is fine, remembering that Honda outsources these so why grease the middleman.

Cheers
Nearly forgot. You might want to factor in dealer relationship. In my case more like stealer relationship.
Just to build a little on the above, look at this from the Akebono website. Akebono is a large North American brake manufacturer. This refers specifically to the motor vehicle market but the same does apply to motorcycle brake supplies.

Quote:AKEBONO BRAKE PRODUCTS: TRUSTED BY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS WORLDWIDE
Akebono's OEM customers include: General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru and Isuzu. Akebono is proud to provide innovative braking solutions for these manufacturers, and we back our products with unparalleled service and support.
Akebono claims to provide to 40% of the OEM market, for 270+ vehicle models, including Honda. When you buy these pads, either installed or over the parts counter, they are referred to as OEM pads, or disks, or seals etc.

Cheers

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Aussies might like to check this manufacturer out. They claim to be Australian.

Metal Gear.

Cheers

 

[the Ferret]

To be clear I wasn't saying the Honda oem pads were superior to after market pads, just that I was happy with their performance and felt comfortable using them again. Known entity for me.

 

[modmaster_imp]

Thanks for the advice guys. I tend to be very easy on brakes. I do a lot of engine braking and brakes have always lasted a long time with me. I think I will go with the OEM pads from Honda. I am fine with their stopping power and they seem pretty good with any dust build up too. Sometimes it's worth spending a bit more.

modmaster

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

To be clear I wasn't saying the Honda oem pads were superior to after market pads, just that I was happy with their performance and felt comfortable using them again. Known entity for me.

Understood mate. Not really a question of quality. More of price to get the same job done. I know you have a good relationship with your dealer and that can pay a dividend over money saved buying aftermarket. And that may not be a financial dividend either.

It was just the OP asking what were the best pads. Any of the well known aftermarkets provide pads of equal quality to the OEM, in most cases at a better price point.

Cheers

 

[the Ferret]

Lol fact is the dealer carries a wall full of aftermarket pads hanging on little silver hooks on pegboard behind the counter and has to order in the oem pads for me because they recommend the aftermarket pads to everybody thats asks for pads.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

That is funny.

Cheers

 

[4 Paws_imp]

What is the difference between the organic and sintered pads?
Needing to do front brakes on another bike and am totally ignorant on the subject.

 

[kennyw]

What is the difference between the organic and sintered pads?
Needing to do front brakes on another bike and am totally ignorant on the subject.

http://powersports-blog.denniskirk.com/5573/powersports/motorcycle-brake-pads-sintered-vs-organic/

 

[curlyjoe]

I bought OEM pads for my 1100A. I still have ~2.5 mm left so I haven't installed them yet.

Does anyone know why the rear pad set is so expensive ($90) for the '13 ABS vs $30 for the non ABS?

'13 RR ABS pads. $90!!! :huh:



'13 RR pads. $30

The '13 ABS front pad sets are only $28 for RF or LF.

 

[4 Paws_imp]

Thanks Kennyw.

 

[Lord Popgun]

Wow, that's a lot for a set of rear pads. The DLX rears are the same as the '13 non ABS. Does it have something to do with combined brakes. I'm still not sure what the differences are between the '13 ABS and the DLX braking system.

 

[kmoney_imp]

I want to say that having the different size islands (with the smaller one being on the leading edge) gives the ABS pads less initial bite and makes them less grabby each time you use your front brake alone.

I've never had my rears off on my '13 ABS but from what I see there, it almost looks like mine has the "regular" rear pads, as I'm pretty sure the gas slot is in the middle.

 

[curlyjoe]

I want to say that having the different size islands (with the smaller one being on the leading edge) gives the ABS pads less initial bite and makes them less grabby each time you use your front brake alone.

I've never had my rears off on my '13 ABS but from what I see there, it almost looks like mine has the "regular" rear pads, as I'm pretty sure the gas slot is in the middle.

I pulled my rears off on my '13 ABS to measure thickness and they are identical to the $90 replacements I had ordered (first pic above). I couldn't find aftermarket pads that look the same.

The '13 CB1100A does have the combined braking system with 3 piston calipers on the front. The center piston on the right front engages when the rear brake is applied.

Perhaps these pads are quite unique and in low demand so the manufacturer charges much more for a limited production run.

 

[kmoney_imp]

I want to say that having the different size islands (with the smaller one being on the leading edge) gives the ABS pads less initial bite and makes them less grabby each time you use your front brake alone.

I've never had my rears off on my '13 ABS but from what I see there, it almost looks like mine has the "regular" rear pads, as I'm pretty sure the gas slot is in the middle.

I pulled my rears off on my '13 ABS to measure thickness and they are identical to the $90 replacements I had ordered (first pic above). I couldn't find aftermarket pads that look the same.

The '13 CB1100A does have the combined braking system with 3 piston calipers on the front. The center piston on the right front engages when the rear brake is applied.

Perhaps these pads are quite unique and in low demand so the manufacturer charges much more for a limited production run.

Perhaps these pads are quite unique and in low demand so the manufacturer charges much more for a limited production run.
I think that's it, though I would think we share rear brakes with at least a few other C-ABS Hondas.