Average brake pad lifetime

Vegas Street Rider · 05-05-2015, 07:04 PM

I bought my 2009 GZ250 in 2011 with only 349 miles on it. At 7200 miles, I had to replace the front brake pads. As far as my riding habits, I am very conservative and do not hard brake, slowing down and downshifting, using the rear brake and finally, using both brakes to come to a complete stop. Is this wear unusually soon or normal?

Water Warrior 2 · 05-05-2015, 09:57 PM

Can't comment on brake wear and longevity but I will comment on your stopping with both brakes. Don't do that! You are much safer letting off the front brake just before you come to a full stop. If you ever have to do a quick maneuver just before a full stop the front brake will bring you down to ground level. It has to do with front end geometry and all that wonderful stuff. Grab a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough for a thorough explanation about front end geometry and how it affects your health and welfare.

alantf · 05-06-2015, 06:44 AM

I live on a very hilly island. All my rides start with a steep downhill run, so the pads only last about 3000 kilometers (2000 miles)

raul10141964 · 05-06-2015, 04:28 PM

I change my at 1500 mi because the noise not were and the second set is over 6000 mi

Vegas Street Rider · 05-06-2015, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the tip. I will check into it.

Water Warrior 2 · 05-06-2015, 11:18 PM

I have mentioned this before. For brake pads and shoes that don't work well but have lots of material left they might be glazed. A no cost fix.............lightly sandblast the pads and shoes. Use emery cloth to remove crud from the rear drum. Best advice I ever received from a fellow rider. I got in the habit off carrying spares in the tool box when out for a week riding dirt bikes in the mountains. Even the cleanest looking creeks crossings can dirty up your brake components.
Just a thought..............a wire brush should work in a pinch if you can't use a sandblaster.

05-05-2015, 07:04 PM	#1
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,110	Average brake pad lifetime I bought my 2009 GZ250 in 2011 with only 349 miles on it. At 7200 miles, I had to replace the front brake pads. As far as my riding habits, I am very conservative and do not hard brake, slowing down and downshifting, using the rear brake and finally, using both brakes to come to a complete stop. Is this wear unusually soon or normal? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-06-2015, 06:44 AM	#3
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,720	I live on a very hilly island. All my rides start with a steep downhill run, so the pads only last about 3000 kilometers (2000 miles) __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-06-2015, 05:49 PM	#5
Vegas Street Rider Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 1,110	Thanks for the tip. I will check into it. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-05-2015, 09:57 PM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Can't comment on brake wear and longevity but I will comment on your stopping with both brakes. Don't do that! You are much safer letting off the front brake just before you come to a full stop. If you ever have to do a quick maneuver just before a full stop the front brake will bring you down to ground level. It has to do with front end geometry and all that wonderful stuff. Grab a copy of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough for a thorough explanation about front end geometry and how it affects your health and welfare.
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05-06-2015, 04:28 PM	#4
raul10141964 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 369	I change my at 1500 mi because the noise not were and the second set is over 6000 mi
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05-06-2015, 11:18 PM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	I have mentioned this before. For brake pads and shoes that don't work well but have lots of material left they might be glazed. A no cost fix.............lightly sandblast the pads and shoes. Use emery cloth to remove crud from the rear drum. Best advice I ever received from a fellow rider. I got in the habit off carrying spares in the tool box when out for a week riding dirt bikes in the mountains. Even the cleanest looking creeks crossings can dirty up your brake components. Just a thought..............a wire brush should work in a pinch if you can't use a sandblaster.
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