Brake pads....ffs

[Deleted account 211025001]

This was also an issue on the early(ish) Hexheads, can't believe WBM can still get it wrong

AFAIK there was no conclusive reason for it happening either, just (as JB says) lots of speculation as to the cause as some owners had similar rates of wear to those being discussed here whilst others (myself included) never had an issue.

Anyway, as Nutty says, I'd just bung some EBC or whatever pads in and keep the WMB ones as spares when they arrive, it's only a 5 minute job, and you may even find they last longer - win/win

Andres

 

[Engineer]

I reckon some peoples pads wear faster because they use the brakes more than others!

The simplest explanation is nearly always the right one

My pads are still good at more than 8,000 miles - if you hoon around and brake hard the pads will wear faster, obvious really.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I reckon some peoples pads wear faster because they use the brakes more than others!

The simplest explanation is nearly always the right one

My pads are still good at more than 8,000 miles - if you hoon around and brake hard the pads will wear faster, obvious really.

.........and the same thing was said when it was an issue with the Hexheads and yet some peeps swore blind they didn't use the back brake. Then of course there's the fact that the back is linked to the front brake, there were numerous pad material changes and (I think) a disc change and you have that many variables that nobody can know for sure what was/is going on other than WMB themselves and, as we know, they are great at telling their customers what any issues are

FWIW, with my bike at 50(ish)k miles I'm on my 2nd rear disc and 2nd set of replacement pads.
On the front I'm on my 4th set of replacement discs but only my first set of replacement pads.
I don't use the back brake, ever.

Andres

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I don't use the back brake, ever.

Andres

I do, it's great fun



Usually get 24k out of a set of rear pads and still on original rear disc at 43k (should last to 60k).....................all on a vastly inferior and lardy 1150GSA

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I do, it's great fun

I can't

Usually get 24k out of a set of rear pads and still on original rear disc at 43k (should last to 60k).....................all on a vastly inferior lardy and underbraked 1150GSA

Fixed

Andres

 

[Titto]

My dealer said it was a problem with an early batch of brembo pads which has now been rectified. That's why the warranty issue is a simple replacement procedure I believe.
They don't know how many had the bad batch so until all are replaced its just a case of once all the newer pads are on then it should ve sorted.
I wonder why some dealers say different things ?!!!

 

[Jumblemo]

I don't use the back brake, ever.

Andres

I'm not sure with linked brakes that that is possible? According to Vines, under certain conditions applying the front brake actually applies more pressure to the front than the rear....

 

[Jumblemo]

I'm not sure with linked brakes that that is possible? According to Vines, under certain conditions applying the front brake actually applies more pressure to the front than the rear....

Sorry, I meant more to rear rather than front.

 

[1130cc]

Does the warranty not provide for a replacement/loaner vehicle in the event that your bike can not be repaired?
Just ask for your loaner

A mate had a flat on his HP4 on Saturday.
BMW Assist got him to the dealer.
The dealer could not source a replacement tyre until Tuesday.
Mate rode out on one of the demo bikes, a 2013 GS.

 

[Engineer]

My dealer said it was a problem with an early batch of brembo pads which has now been rectified. That's why the warranty issue is a simple replacement procedure I believe.
They don't know how many had the bad batch so until all are replaced its just a case of once all the newer pads are on then it should ve sorted.
I wonder why some dealers say different things ?!!!

So it was Brembos fault and the problem has now gone away until the next batch of dodgy Italian bake pads?

It's good to hear that it's not a brake design problem because that would be something to whinge about - I must have been very lucky then because I have never in my life of owning bikes come across dodgy brake pads - perhaps the Gods like me and always smile on me?

 

[Jumblemo]

My pads are still good at more than 8,000 miles - if you hoon around and brake hard the pads will wear faster, obvious really.

How can you not hoon around on a WC? It's what it's for??

 

[Engineer]

How can you not hoon around on a WC? It's what it's for??

If I did then I'd expect the pads to wear out quickly (I only hoon when no one is watching).

 

[r1happy]

My Dealer Service Manager said they thought there were some slight imperfections on the rear discs which wore the pads more until they were cleaned off by the pads, which is why replacement pads last much longer.

My original pads were down to metal at first service. Got the bike in early March and did the 600 miles in 4 days! So the replacement pads were the same material as originals as mine was one of the first to highlight the problem. They have lasted until now (4000 miles) and only half worn with a riding style now that is a lot quicker than when running it in.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I'm not sure with linked brakes that that is possible? According to Vines, under certain conditions applying the front brake actually applies more pressure to the front than the rear....

Sorry, what I meant was that I don't use the back brake independently. As you say, applying the front brakes brings the back brake into play as well (dependent upon conditions).

Andres

 

[BBB61]

I do, it's great fun



Usually get 24k out of a set of rear pads and still on original rear disc at 43k (should last to 60k).....................all on a vastly inferior and lardy 1150GSA

There were plenty of people getting poor wear out of the rear brake pads on 1150's as well, so it is not just a problem for the 1200's. Rear disc on my 1150 was replaced at 40k, but it was used around London which inevitably meant more usage of the brakes.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Rear disc on my 1150 was replaced at 40k, but it was used around London which inevitably meant more usage of the brakes.

That'll be the difference then, I don't do any town work - straight out onto open roads here

 

[Jumblemo]

If I did then I'd expect the pads to wear out quickly (I only hoon when no one is watching).

Fair enough

I'm not complaining about the wear rate so much as the stock problem.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Look - brake pads are consumables. So the warranty ones will eventually wear out and you will be paying to replace them.

So just buy some rears from anywhere (other BMW dealer, non-BMW) and fit them yourself.

When your dealer gets their pads in just take them off them and say you'll fit them yourself later.

Simple.

 

[Stupot]

Rear brake pad change .....

Probably only repeating what others have already said but ..... My mid '12 GSA has now done 11k miles, on changing my rear tyre today, guy told me pads were very thin.
Not really being up for a fight with our local dealership (as I really can't be arsed) I changed them myself. Took ten minutes and the pads cost £18.90. It would have cost me a lot more time and money arguing with my dealer !
I was very surprised to see how quickly they d gone, but at least I know to keep an eye on them in the future !!

 

[sdh2020]

Sorry, what I meant was that I don't use the back brake independently. As you say, applying the front brakes brings the back brake into play as well (dependent upon conditions).

Andres

I believe, it is the linked system that is at fault. It appears to be the bias that is wrong. At very low speed or pushing the bike around, the back brake comes on first when applying the front. I'm now on my second K50 my first did it and the second bike does the same.

The only reason to set the bias up this way would be a safety reason. The pads take a hammering because they are being used all the time. IMO.

Oh and the dealer said "it's a feature not a fault!"