Brake pads

[blueleg]

HI guys, looking for some suggestions to up grading the brake pads on my 2020 Himalayan and was wondering what is good pads and what experience and recommend. Thanks all

 

[fatal]

I've used EBC-HH pads for many years, just replaced the original pads on my 650 Interceptor, a lot more feel/bite, although not fully bedded in yet.

 

[Alan F.]

+1 for the EBC HH pads

 

[blueleg]

I've used EBC-HH pads for many years, just replaced the original pads on my 650 Interceptor, a lot more feel/bite, although not fully bedded in yet.

Thank you, will check them out.

 

[blueleg]

+1 for the EBC HH pads

Thank you

 

[Scooter M'Gee]

I've run HH's on all my past bikes. Installed the EBC HH's on the Hunter. Still need to bed them in. Hope it helps the wooden feeling in the front brake but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[excollier]

Certainly improved the brakes on my Himalayan

 

[GarethR]

First thing I noticed about the Himalayan was the "wooden" front brake - as if the master cylinder piston diameter was too large.

Pads first, I guess, then I may try adjustable levers, to see if a shorter reach improves the feel.

I wonder if anyone has experimented with a smaller m/c.

EDIT:
Or calipers with larger pistons...
Just found the thread on using a Harley Street 750 caliper (although I'm unlikely to find a used one of those in the UK).

 

[OldGuy]

I'm a little cautious about using sintered metal pads on disks that weren't hardened for them. The Himmie disks are not hardened, so sintered pads will wear them out fairly fast.

I chose ceramic pads as a compromise between disk life and stopping power. SBS #671HF on front and #657HF on the rear. They stop much better than stock, although probably not as well as sintered metal.

 

[GarethR]

Useful info, thanks.

I have usually fitted SBS pads to previous bikes.

 

[OldGuy]

PS: The FAQ document at the top of this forum has the part numbers for both metal and ceramic pads listed.

 

[GarethR]

 

[Roy Gavin]

Fitted a $US 60- 11mm Radial M/C from RCB 4 years 50,000 km back. and even with my arthritic old hands it will still lock the front wheel, with SBS pads.
You can spend more than 10 times that for a M/C / Caliper/ Disk set up which locks the wheel too!

 

[Hairy Potter]

Afaik the oem pads on newer bikes are sintered? I got given a set of ebc hh pads and fitted them just to try and they are a little better than oem on my '23 Himi. 2 finger braking is strong now and that is all I wanted, I tend to ride with 2 fingers on the clutch and brake in lots of situations and it does that fine. The ebc hh feel pretty good, are progressive and it brakes without any surprises in wet or dry. Not so fussed about wear really as I'm unlikely to see a disc worn out very quickly.

 

[tom_d]

I’ll also suggest EBC-HH, but like the OEM on the back since it doesn’t need more grip and they are nice and quiet.

 

[GarethR]

I'm a little cautious about using sintered metal pads on disks that weren't hardened for them. The Himmie disks are not hardened, so sintered pads will wear them out fairly fast.

I chose ceramic pads as a compromise between disk life and stopping power. SBS #671HF on front and #657HF on the rear. They stop much better than stock, although probably not as well as sintered metal.

I checked on the SBS website. The HF ceramic pads are actually "recommended" anyway

 

[OldGuy]

Afaik the oem pads on newer bikes are sintered? I got given a set of ebc hh pads and fitted them just to try and they are a little better than oem on my '23 Himi. 2 finger braking is strong now and that is all I wanted, I tend to ride with 2 fingers on the clutch and brake in lots of situations and it does that fine. The ebc hh feel pretty good, are progressive and it brakes without any surprises in wet or dry. Not so fussed about wear really as I'm unlikely to see a disc worn out very quickly.

No they aren't. Japanese sport bikes, yes absolutely, but I'm afraid the reason RE's are lower priced is that they cut some corners. If you're still thinking you won't wear out the disks, check out "TwoWheelsBen" on YouTube. He switched to sintered pads on his Himmie, and regretted it fairly quickly. You also might want to check the price of OEM disks.....

 

[Roy Gavin]

Worn out three sets of sintered pads on my 2017 bike , squeezed up tight by my 11 mm radial M/C, and almost no measurable wear on the disk- probably still within manufacturing tolerances!

 

[tom_d]

You also might want to check the price of OEM disks.....

From eBay, I see half a dozen offers for a himalayan delivered front rotor in the 65-90 US dollar range. It would be nice if cheaper but it is definitely not BMW expensive. So far I haven’t notice alarming wear on my EBC’s with 10000 miles. I just putt around though.