Brake pad wear?

Shep · Nov 29, 2004

R1200GS 9000 miles

Checked rear pads Thursday whilst doing a general check over,
all OK, pads worn but wear indicator indicated there were miles left!

Did 50 miles over weekend.

Travelled to work this morning, parked up, spotted rear disc looking odd matt finish on outside, checked pads, pads and disc knackered, bike now not really usable due to linked brakes, bike shop not open on mondays. P****D off!

Warning: Not alot of life left on pads even when indicator is telling you otherwise, indicator is on inboard pad when outboard pad wears first (at least on mine)

Has any body any ideas on expected milage from Front/Rear Pads

I know alot depends on riding style, but I assumed that at the 6000 service the pads would be checked to see if they would last till next service ( as happens at my car/van services)

Any views?

Regards Shep

Dutchman · Nov 29, 2004

Brake Wear....

My 1200GS just had it's 6k service and I was informed that the rear pads would need changing before the next 6k service.....looking at them now, I'd say in about 1500 miles.

The front ones only appear about 20% worn.

A friend of mine with another 1200GS suffered premature rear pad wear, well within 6k miles which damaged the rear disc. Both pads & disc were replaced under warranty.

Seems to me that the linked system has a disproportionate bias towards the rear brakes which causes the premature wear....

Brake pad wear is often attributable to individual riding style, especially if someone is new to BMW & the linked brake system....but I'm certainly wondering if it's yet another foible of this particular model.

My previous model, a R1150RT with linked brakes didn't require any replacement brake pads, front or rear in it's 18000 mile life.....

Cheers

Dutch

Clive · Nov 29, 2004

Just had the 6000 mile service last week - I was advised the rear pads wouldn't last much longer, so I had them replaced. Lots of miles left in the front pads.

Unless you have a riding style which means you don't use the brakes very much I suspect it will become a "they all do that sir" and will require a fresh set at each 6,000 mile service.

Deleted Member MM · Nov 29, 2004

Clive said:
Unless you have a riding style which means you don't use the brakes very much I suspect it will become a "they all do that sir" and will require a fresh set at each 6,000 mile service. [/B]

Four of us cover most of our mileage together and at the same speeds.. (nobody get's dropped off)
One of the Group needed new rear pads at the 6,000 mile service.. Georgia's are fine at just over 10,000 miles.
Unless there's a problem with sticking caliper or similar it would appear that wear reflects style/use.

Mouse · Dec 2, 2004

I know I use the rear brake a lot - so after reading this thread I checked my pads. After 4000 miles I have about 2mm left on the rear pads - I'm not sure how much they start with but it looks like I'll have to change them soon.

I'll do it myself and hopefully save a couple of quid at the 6k service

Shep · Dec 2, 2004

Hi Mouse

Yep, do them yourself its dead easy, Note that after you remove the spring pin, then push the pad retaining pin through from the outside towards the wheel, not the other way round as was recomended by my friendly BMW dealer!

Regards Shep

Mouse · Dec 2, 2004

Thanks for the tip! I'll have a go at it this weekend if I can get the pads that soon.

TheJoker · Dec 3, 2004

... If my memory serves...

I read somewhere that if you're going to change pads, push the brake pistons back very slowly, otherwise the (mexi)CAN('t) BUS will think you've blown a seal in the brakes, and will probably spit the dummy out...

... No guarantees tho, just what I seem to remember...

Mouse · Dec 3, 2004

Yup that's exactly what I was told by the tech person at my dealer.

Apart from the Mexican't part.

Emoto · Dec 3, 2004

TheJoker said:
... If my memory serves...

I read somewhere that if you're going to change pads, push the brake pistons back very slowly, otherwise the (mexi)CAN('t) BUS will think you've blown a seal in the brakes, and will probably spit the dummy out...

... No guarantees tho, just what I seem to remember...

I treated mine like any other pad swap and had no trouble.

gazza · Dec 3, 2004

Spoke to Pidcocks today and they haven't seen any problems with rear pad wear, infact they haven't had to change any pads on a 1200 yet. Incidently the rear pads I am reliably informed are exactly the same as the 1100GS incase you have a spare set lying about.

Shep · Dec 3, 2004

I agree with Emoto, I had no troubles at all, just naturally lucky I guess!

Shep

gazza · May 30, 2005

Just changed my rear pads at 12k miles. Still got a good bit of life in them as can be seen. Decided to change them before we leave for the Tossers Tour. Just measured them with me vernier gauge. Outside one has 1.4mm left to the wear mark and the inside one has 1.3 mm. About 1500 miles left I think.
.

GSmonkey · May 31, 2005

I posted something up a while ago. I let my pads go down until the wear marker thing broke through. When removing the pads to inspect, there was absolutely nothing left....a few microns to metal/metal contact.

So forget the wear thing and actually check the thickness manually. I definately won't make it between 6k services doing lots of commuting. Changing the pads is an easy task to do yourself and saves you a few quid.

The only up-side is that rear brake wear is at the expense of front brake wear which is quite slow.

After a hard ride on the brakes, jump off the bike and feel the temp of the calipers....the rear is always substantially hotter than the front.

ktmmark · May 31, 2005

Has anyone used a pattern pad or do you all use genuine

Abelrider · May 31, 2005

TheJoker said:
... If my memory serves...

I read somewhere that if you're going to change pads, push the brake pistons back very slowly, otherwise the (mexi)CAN('t) BUS will think you've blown a seal in the brakes, and will probably spit the dummy out...

... No guarantees tho, just what I seem to remember...

Surely unless you change your pads with the ignition on (why would you? :confused:

) then it wont register a thing? :confused:

ktmmark said:
Has anyone used a pattern pad or do you all use genuine

If you use a pattern pad and your disc becomes warped then BMW will not give you a nice shiney new one. I will be sticking to OE pads despite the price difference. Cheap compared to new discs Im sure.

ktmmark · May 31, 2005

the genuine pads seem very soft as my back wheel is always covered in brake dust

goyl · May 31, 2005

pads £23.90 same as for r1100 part no MC34.21.2.335.465
mine lasted for 16k. I had to replace them whilst in Fort William
at the six day trial.

Pidcock's put a note on the 12k service sheet saying pads more than half worn. i expected them to last until the 18k service! having not changed rear pads on my 1150's in over 40k

Easy to change, when I managed to get the pin out using a nail as a drift.

Shep · Jun 1, 2005

Hi Goyl,

I'm impressed you tried to do the six day trial on a GS, very brave!

Shep

drdata · Jun 1, 2005

9300 miles, just seeing the disk peeking through inspection bore.

Front pads look practicaly new. I guess this is how BMW will make money.....

Brake pad wear?

Shep of the Dessert

Registered user

Well-known member

Deleted Member MM

Guest

Registered user

Shep of the Dessert

Registered user

Registered user

Registered user

Registered user

Registered user

Shep of the Dessert

Registered user

Well-known member

Registered user

Abelrider

Guest

Registered user

goyl

Guest

Shep of the Dessert

drdata

Guest

Similar threads