Brake pad recommendations for 07 1200 GSA?

[noeltal]

Newbie here - I was recently shocked at the amount my local dealer was looking for to service my '07 1200 GSA so I have decided to do it myself over the Christmas holidays.

I know nothing about brake pads so is there anyone out there who can point me towards the "correct" (or best) pads to buy. I also know nothing about brake pads - what the hell does sintered mean? Can anyone give me some basic information?

Any help or info appreciated.

Noel

 

[Gabby]

No noticeable difference between EVO and BMW's own in performance or wear. Main difference the price.

Done 63,000 miles on a 06GSA - This is from my records, others may differ depending on how ham fisted they are!

Front:

Standard pads will wear quicker than Sintered Metal from BMW. Sintered discs will last for about 30,000 miles (front) but your disc will also need replacing at the same time. Standard pads you will need to change at about 10 to 20,000 miles (sometimes less) but you won't need to replace the disc until the next time so you will get 25% more wear from your disc but would have spent more on pads. I use EBC FA209/2 front (HP2 Enduro) | BRA45446 at £14.63 a side with no issues.

Back:

Same here with Sintered. Standard pads will wear out anywhere between 6 and 15,000 miles. I use EBC FA363 rear (R1200S/GS/ST/RT/HP2) | BRA14997 also at £14.63 a set.

Both the EVO sets quoted are not sintered.

I get EVO pads from here, quick delivery service and prices not too bad:

http://www.bmwandguzzispares.co.uk/index.php?q=

30 minute job back and front.

 

[RickG]

I' ve done around 50,000 miles (07 GS) and am still on the original front pads, I've no idea what sort they are but they still have loads of meat left on them.

In contrast, and many 1200 GS riders find this, the rear pads wear very quickly and you'll be lucky to get more than 10,000 miles out of them. I've therefore had to replace mine several times and use organic rather than sintered types as a) the manufacturers say don't mix organic with sintered (front to back) as sintered often have more bite, and b) some people find that sintered pads may wear the disk more rapidly. I've used several sets of EBC's, they seem as good as the BMW type and maybe last a couple of thou' longer. Just fitted some Ferodos for a change, no idea how these will last yet but they stop the bike just as well as the others

Rear disk is probably now past its wear limit, fronts are fine.

Sintering is a process that heats metal powder until it just sticks together but not so hot that it melts. If you mix the metal powder up with other stuff you end up with a brake pad that can work better than 'traditional' types, like when the disk is wet, or when brake temperatures become high. The high proportion of the metal in the pad may cause a higher rate of disk wear but it does depend on the composition of both pad and disk

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

EBC £12 per set, they work well & are readily available

 

[BiG DoM]

Also use EBC's and easily comparable to OEM.