Rear brakes

[fairweatherrider]

Is there a preference for type of rear brake shoes to install on my 2005 GZ 250 ? I was going to install either the EBC organic or the grooved, unless someone has a better idea. I've had trouble with squeaking on my present ones.

[Water Warrior 2]

I would opt for the EBC grooved brake shoes. Don't know anything about organic shoes so here's hoping somebody will enlighten me.

[fairweatherrider]

Thanks for the reply. I can't remember what I installed 2 years ago but never tried the grooved. I might just do it this time.

[alantf]

Seems that changing rear brake shoes every two years seems a lot. What mileage are you doing? Mine often squeak when I set off for the first time in the day. A few hard presses of the pedal clears it up.

[fairweatherrider]

I only put on about 4,000 mi a year but don't like it when they squeak and I want to change the brakes.

[Water Warrior 2]

I only put on about 4,000 mi a year but don't like it when they squeak and I want to change the brakes.
Sounds like your brake shoes are getting glazed. Alantf is right about a good hard use of the rear brake to burn off the glaze. You also loose a lot of braking power with glazed shoes.
Had a dirt bike that did the same thing. Loss of braking power was very noticeable. What I did was lightly sand blast the shoes and run some emery cloth around the brake drum to clean it up. Cheap and effective fix.