New discs. Any recommendations?

[shready]

I have an R1100GS (ABS) and need to replace my discs (front and rear) to get it through an MOT in the next couple of months.

I'm pretty certain I can do the job myself as it doesn't look too difficult.

I have proied up the BMW OE discs and they are coming in at £400 + (including new pads and bolts), labour only.

Do any of you know of any replacement discs that you would recommend or someone who would do the job for a reasonable price?

Not so keen on the cast discs as I've heard they cover your wheels with rust particles.

Cheers.

Jon

 

[John Armstrong]

I can't but can Motorworks / Motobins / James Sherlock give some advice?

 

[ArgyBargy]

Hi

I've just fitted PFM cast iron discs at £120 each for the front, and Ferodo pads to my 1100 ABS. The kit included a new set of bobbins (mine has a R1100R alloy wheel with floating discs). Not sure what the GS disc cost is. All from Motorworks, who were very helpful with advise etc. I overhauled the pistons whilst it was all apart, and the difference in performance is noticably better than the BWM stainless steel discs. The Ferodo pads are the anti rattle type which are a bit of a fiddle to fit coz of the spring clips, but once on have been absolutey silent. I hate rattly pads!

I can certainly recommend the the PFMs, and cheaper than OE discs too (approx £180 each)

Can't comment on the rust yet as they've only been on a week or so. The discs are laccquered, so only the wear surface should rust, and this won't be a problem if you use the bike regularily.

 

[Gecko]

I sourced some very good brake disks in Germany earlier this summer. A rear disk with pads was about €90 delivered. It's a Lucas disk and same make pads. If you are interested and would be prepared to order in Germany you may well save yourself some money. Let me know if you want the details and I'll dig out their email address and phone number.

On the second part of your question - fitting isn't too tricky at all if you have some heat , some Loctite 243 and a torque wrench. Heat up the bolts to melt the loctite undo them and then clean it all up. refit the new disk - if the bolts are good and clean you can reuse them - no worries. A drop of loctite on each bolt and torque them up to 21nm - job done I'd reckon 20 to 30 minutes per disk including the cleaning up and refitting. Of course you have to have the wheels off (one at a time is advisable) I had some help from an expert thumb thanks MiGSel) but having been through the process it is really nothing more that loosen and re-tighten the bolts.

 

[ferguscawley]

I have PFM cast iron discs on my spare alloy wheels for my GS. I use EBC HH pads with them. Stopping power is awesome. The discs do rust after riding in the rain but one application of the brakes on the following ride cleans them up quickly. No big deal.
Better friction than the OE stainless discs that BMW fit.
Recommended.

 

[Paul Young]

I also rate PFM discs, but have had problems with them in the past.

I had an R80GS and upgraded the caliper to a 4 pot from a K series bike. Changed the disc to a PFM one & found that it pitted as it wore. The reason was that I used to use the front brake quite hard & the heat generated was precipitating the carbon out of the cast iron (Paul Murphy's assessment after the disc went back to them). They replaced the disc FOC & recommended AP Racing pads as the best they had tested with their own product so that was what I used ever after.

When I need to replace the discs on my 1150GS I will happily use PFM but will also go for the AP Racing pads. They were amazing, especially once they warmed up, & I like riding the TT course........fast.

HTH,

 

[wessie]

I enquired the price of discs for my 2001 1150GS from Busters. I had a reply from [email protected]

Front Discs are £79 ea and the Rear £99 Carriage £3.95 and free over £150

No idea what make they are. They have a range of pads from £15 a set.

Their website is at http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/