Rear Brake Disc

[Mick-B]

Okay, there are quite a number of posts on the subject but none really seemed to give a complete answer... So, here's what's vexing me:

2006 1200GS, 68k on the clock; rear disc said to be almost at its wear limit of 4.5mm. BMW indicate some ludicrous price for the replacement part, fitting didn't seem too bad. Asked whether it needed doing "now" and was told it should be okay for now. Having had to have new pads (struck me a damned pricey at circa £50 plus VAT, compared to car related prices), I was not too keen on adding to the bill. I would add that I had intended to go to a recommended independent but piss poor planning on my part made that difficult... next time!

So, having opted out of paying something north of £250 to have a new "BMW" disc fitted, I started researching alternative "after-market" products and am faced with choices that I'm ill-equipped to make:

James Sherlock list an original at £131 and an Hekkane Stainless version at £71

Various places advertise EBC brand at around £75

Steptoe lists an unbranded one at £70

My questions I guess comes down to:
a) what is the difference between an original and an after-market item, other than price?;
b) do you ultimately get what you pay for?, and;
c) what has been others' choices and experiences?

Thanks...

 

[Pukmeister]

You forgot Galfer.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Alternatively you could get a used original from Motoworks for £55 ............ http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=10&M=35&Ct=HA&SbCt=BA_10_35_HA_50 I would ring them for a chat & check the thickness of what they have, you might get a barely worn one for £55

Sherlocks got a 5000 mile original disc from a RT for £79, I think its the same but you'll need to check, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-R1200...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item2589636219

 

[Old Wobbly]

EBC/GALFER are good and either are fine.

I don't know Steptoe but have only ever heard good things about him so would trust a component he sells.

I certainly would not fork out all that on a rear brake disc and pads given the age and mileage. Easy to fit and make sure you re-torque the rear calliper bolts/torsion arm bolts and use Loctite as advised.

 

[ebbo]

Personally, I'd buy the Hekkane stainless discs. If your fitting them yourself remember the bolts are normally glued in, use heat to release them. If you can, set up the new discs with a clock gauge, it works for me.

So long as the brakes are working smoothy I'd also go below the limit on the discs as its set absurdly low allowing just .5mm wear on my 06 RT. Loads of bikers are riding around on brake discs below spec, they just don't know how little .5mm wear looks like (I have a digital micrometer).

Pads, I'd try to buy a good branded make say 'Ferodo Platinum Sinterd Grip', avoid the brand 'Gold Fren' like the plague as I've read bad reports on them.

Welcome to the world of worn BMW brakes and high prices

 

[Jon P]

I always go for the genuine part (and usually get shot down for making the suggestion!). To me, in the long run the factory parts make more sense. BMW will look after you if something goes wrong with it and if you establish a relationship with your dealer you tend to get good will. I have had all sorts over the years with bikes out of warranty, including a new gear box even a new clutch. If you fit a non-standard part and something goes wrong (warped disc?) you have to take it off, send it back, then fit another etc. These are not inexpensive bikes but if properly looked after they do retain their price.

 

[Steptoe]

I currently have a genuine BMW rear disc taken from a new bike that has only been wheeled around a showroom and was bought to be converted into a trike. So it's a used as new genuine bmw rear disc... £90 .

I only have the one. When it's gone it's gone.

 

[Delboy777]

I currently have a genuine BMW rear disc taken from a new bike that has only been wheeled around a showroom and was bought to be converted into a trike. So it's a used as new genuine bmw rear disc... £90 .

I only have the one. When it's gone it's gone.

Feck me thats a bargain, break his arm for this

 

[Mick-B]

Have PM'd you (Steptoe, that is...)

 

[Mick-B]

You forgot Galfer.

Indeed I did... it wasn't an exhaustive list and I should have said, "In example..." I did however leave out an obvious after-market alternative.

I don't suppose that BMW actually machine the discs themselves - or do they? I guess that pretty much every mainstream car manufacture buys-in such components from the likes of Bendix, Brembo, Teves, TRW, to name but a few. I also know that if I buy brake discs from, in example, an Audi main agent, I'm almost certain to be buying TRW discs at many time the cost of buying the exact same spec product from an official TRW reseller (minus the 4 rings badging of course). I fully support parts suppliers making a reasonable return but (restating the bleedin' obvious), it does seem that the main dealers want to skin the owner when it comes to setting their pricing. On the other hand, I did go into the main agent eyes open, so to speak, and therefore waived any right to whinge about their price-point... hmph!

 

[Bendy toy]

Brembo make the calipers so it likely they do the discs as well.

Has anyone got an opinion on the EBC disc? I like their pads and fancy trying their disc as mine is getting thin.

Goldfren sintered pads were fine on the Yamaha Diversion 900. The back brake is too small for the bike so gets hammered. I had blue spots on the front which can really work the pads. I had no problems with Goldfren pads over 50,000 miles and 5 years I owned the bike.

 

[Steptoe]

Have PM'd you (Steptoe, that is...)

you have a PM.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I have to say I use discs and pads from Steptoe and they do the job perfectly

 

[AberdeenAngus]

He makes them himself.

 

[davegs]

I have to say I use discs and pads from Steptoe and they do the job perfectly

Plus one!!!!!