Rear brake pad wear

[Deleted account 211025001]

I only used the rear brake pedal on mine when at low speed whilst filtering or other slow manouevres. All other times I use the front brake lever only.

Isn't that how most people ride bikes with modern brakes and tyres (and particuarly the fantastic GS front end).

I use nothing but front brake except in very slow manuveres and very occasionaly to settle the rear or bring it round a bit in a bend (linked brakes or not). Is it just me

Andres

 

[Mark C]

It's habit for me to cover both brakes. It's only a gentle pressure on the rear but if that all it takes to eat the pads then i'm gonna have to adapt to front only.

I think it's a bit poor though to only get 5500 out of them,as most of the miles were motorway.

Has anybody fitted any ceramic pads which are available for some cars.

 

[Kevmulcock]

I'm with Outtomunch on this, replace them with EBC (non sintered) pads for 3-4 times the life. Of course any subsequent damage to the disc would probably not be covered by the warranty, but the savings in brake pads would pay for a new disc quite quickly anyway!

Can I ask why you use non sintered?
I have just replaced mine with EBC double H (recomended by shop) front and rear (12K) and have now got front brake problems - vibration and shudder

I am now wondering if the wrong pads were fitted

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Can I ask why you use non sintered?
I have just replaced mine with EBC double H (recomended by shop) front and rear (12K) and have now got front brake problems - vibration and shudder

I am now wondering if the wrong pads were fitted

I seemed to remember reading somewhere (on this forum I think?) that rear pads should be organic and front sintered so fitted organic for that reason - may be wrong though

I wonder if the front end judder is being amplified by the new pads bedding in - ie a smaller contact patch whilst they bed in which may feed the vibes back to the rider more

Whatever, should be nothing to do with the pads you are using and everything to do with warped discs, a not uncommon problem!

Andres

 

[JayGee]

I only used the rear brake pedal on mine when at low speed whilst filtering or other slow manouevres. All other times I use the front brake lever only.

Doesn't everybody? I do and the rears last about 6 or 7,000 miles of all non-commute mostly urban riding. Seems to me that the linked brakes must have quite a strong rear bias or the pads are made of cheese!

 

[Greg Masters]

I believe that the 1150 and 1200 rear pads are the same physical size.

On my 1150, my OE rear pads lasted well over 20k miles and I eventually replaced them with genuine BMW items for the same bike. These lasted about 5k miles.

I'm convinced that they have changed something in the makeup of the pads!!

Greg

 

[GSmonkey]

I don't think it matters much whether you use the back lever during normal braking.......it does bugger all, you've got to stand on it to get the back to lock

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Brake pad wear

I have to admit that for many many years I have virtually never used the back brake lever. As mentioned the back brake, particularly a disc, does not have much stopping effect. In fact some years ago I inadvertently used the back brake on my R100RS - and afetr a few miles a strong smell of burning indicated that it had seized on - not surprisingly! Now of course with linked brakes I am constantly using the back and I suppose I am benefitting? However as we all know some of us, whether due to traffic or local roads, or simply riding style; use our brakes to a very different extent; I would expect those of us who find that tyres wear out quickly often find that petrol consumption is poor and brake pads are made of cheese. No, this is not a criticism - we all play with our toys in a different fashion. Regards from sunny France. Brian

 

[jefformston]

I used to get around 12k from a rear set of pads (1150 without ABS) when it was dealer serviced. As I don't use the rear brake a lot I thought it was excessive, Service Managers comment was that I probably used it without thinking to steady the bike in bends etc. Maybe I do but certainly not much and pad wear still seemed too high.

Since I started to service the bike myself (@ 30k) I've not had to change the pads at all, last changed by the dealer at the 24k service. The bike has now done 60k and the rear pads still have 4mm left on each and the new pads I bought to replace them, off Steptoe, at the 36k service are still sitting in the packet un-touched.

What you may well ask is the difference, did I change my riding style, did I dis-connect the brake. The answer is No to both, I just started to Copper Slip the back of the pads. Give it a try it may just save you few quid.

 

[BBB61]

I believe that the 1150 and 1200 rear pads are the same physical size.

Greg

They are Greg. I fitted some old 1150 rear pads I had littering up the garage to my 1200 and they fitted exactly.

Andres, I still ride bikes with unlinked brakes using both front and rear and not relying on the front only, so it took a little bit of time to convert to the linked brakes on the 1200.

 

[Mouse]

Can I ask why you use non sintered?
I have just replaced mine with EBC double H (recomended by shop) front and rear (12K) and have now got front brake problems - vibration and shudder

I am now wondering if the wrong pads were fitted

I would use non sintered because you don't need sintered pads in the rear brake - they won't give you any extra stopping power, so you're just wasting money buying them. And they could well increase disc wear.

Won't do any immediate harm though, so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Peter Rankin]

Rear Brake Pad Wear

7000 miles and still on original rear pads, however because of linked brakes do not use rear brake pedal in conjunction with front brake lever as enough pressure is sent to the rear brake as it is. It is possible if one uses the rear brake pedal in combinmation with the hand lever, there is too much presure applied which would increase the wear rate.

 

[Mouse]

I don't think it works like that. I think (and I may be wrong) that if you are pressing the rear brake pedal, the brakes are effectively no longer linked. In other words, you could get less braking (on the rear wheel only) by applying front and rear, than just front.

That's just based on my observations, how it feels on my bike, I may be wrong.

 

[gavin@iow]

8.5k miles, pads fine (front and rear), very little rear brake lever use.

 

[North]

My rear pads worn out at 5,000 miles. Did a number on the rotor too, but it is still usable.

I was not happy. I never expected to replace rear pads ever 5,000 miles.

 

[HMR]

What's normal life for the rear pads on a R1200GS with integral brakes for a driver that don't use the foot pedal varies of course depending on driving/braking habits. Here is what I have observed on my bike:

- Sporty/active riding on paved roads: 20000 km.

- Sporty/active riding on wet gravel roads: 1500 km.

- Sporty/active riding on wet gravel roads if you stop every now & then to clean the rear disk: 4000 km.

 

[gsman1]

Rear Brake Pad Wear

21,500 on last 1200gs new rear pads at 14,000 replacements still only half worn at 21500 when traded bike in, still loads on origional fronts, rear disk no wear what so ever.

Are there any issues regarding the wear rate on pads. My rear set have disintegrated at 5500 miles and have damaged the disc. I phoned the dealer today who suggested that it can happen when ridden aggressively. Most of my miles are motorway and I'm not a speed merchant!

Is that normal wear for rear pads? I understand the ABS brings the rear in when using the front but my fronts are ok.

I'm about 2 years into my biking rebirth so am I just being naive to expect them to last a bit longer.

Plus will they be covered under warranty? (to the dealer)

 

[Mark C]

Just got the bill from dealers for the repair.
The piston had pushed through the pads and was pushing onto the disk causing futher damage. My fault for not seeing it but then again, I didn't expect this to happen so quickly. BMW covered the replacement caliper unit but not the disc, leaving me a bill of £186.

You live and learn.

 

[Dave284]

The rear pads on my bike needed changing at 6000mile service, but more concern is the disc thats almost half worn, chocolate discs or what!

Is there better harder wearing discs and pads available?

 

[cookiemonster]

mmm... I changed my rear tyre today at 5200 miles and while getting that done it was pointed out that my rear pads were shot. I hadnt checked them as I've dont think I've ever had to replace a set of rear pads on any previous bike (up to 30,000 miles or so): basically I just dont use the rear brake.

Its all a little suprising, so I'm thinking that there are a couple of things happening: first the bike is still quite "snatchy", its difficult to roll off and on the throttle without a jerk in between. I dont know whether this is fuelling or the shaft drive, but I'm wondering if I've started compensating by using the rear brake to help smooth things out. Second, I'm wondering whether its a case of the old sticky brake pads, similar to the problems the 1150's front calipers suffered from. The rear calipers on the 1200 have one sliding pin and one "lip"; perhaps the pads are getting a bit stuck in place and wearing excessively?

Someone mentioned coppaslip: I'm going to try a dollop of that round the pads and pins (maybe on the disks too ), and see if that makes a difference. Anyway 5200 miles for a set of rear pads, for someone who doesnt use the rear brake, suggests that something is amiss...


Jon