This is among the questions that almost every motorcycle owner has asked him/herself at least once in his/her lifetime. Brake pads are an essential part of any motorcycle braking system. In fact, the motorcycle braking system will fail if the brake pads are completely worn out. So, how long do motorcycle brake pads last? Do they last for a couple of years or thousands of miles?
Generally, motorcycle brake pads last for around 20,000 miles or 32,000 KM but the figure highly depends on the material used to make them, the conditions of every ride, your style of braking, and the riding style. Most brake pads feature a wear indicator groove cut or molded into the surface. That means you can easily tell when it is time to replace them, including if you do not have any mechanical skills. If the pad is worn down, the groove will disappear or the pad will be down to around 2mm.
Neglecting the brake pad wear and failure to check the pad material regularly may lead to complete wear and leave the metal pad backing plate working on the brake disk or rotor. That will highly reduce the braking power and score the brake discs or rotor. In extreme cases, brake pad wear can cause a wall/bike interface, something you would not want to happen.
What Do Motorcycle Brake Pads Do?
Brake pads contact the brake discs, also known as brake rotors, to cause friction, slow down the motorcycle, and bring it to a complete stop. They are part of an interconnected system, which relies on its various parts to work successfully.
When the rider presses the brake pedal or lever of a motorcycle, the brake master cylinder, which is usually attached to the pedal or lever pressurizes the brake system and sends hydraulic pressure down to the brake calipers. The calipers have pistons that are forced outward against the brake pads’ metal backing and engage the brake pads.
The brake pads create friction, which is converted into kinetic energy and finally into heat, as they clamp against the rotor. The produced heat moves to the brake rotors, brake pads, and calipers before escaping into the air.
Manufacturers use various friction materials to make them and then bond and rivet them to steel backing plates. Older brake pads were made of asbestos material but this material was phased out after it was labeled as a health hazard and high-tech materials were introduced.
Factors that Affect the Lifespan of Brake Pads
Here are the most significant factors that affect the lifespan of motorcycle brakes:
Your Way of Riding
The riding style or habit of the rider is the first factor that dictates the lifespan of motorcycle brake pads. Some motorcyclists prefer riding their bikes very fast, and you can relate to this easily if you have a sports motorcycle. Unfortunately, they do not know that the brake pads and rotors will cause larger friction when they brake at high speeds. That leads to faster wearing out of the brake pads. Riders who drive their motorcycles slowly replace the brake pads less often compared to those who ride very fast.
Your Place
The lifespan of your motorcycle pads is likely to be longer if you mostly ride on the highway because their use will be lower due to the low traffic. On the other hand, the use of brakes will be higher in the high-traffic city roads because of the stop-and-go traffic, which affects the lifespan. Even more, people who ride in crowded places have to concentrate more on the brakes, meaning that the brake pads will degrade faster.
The Type of Brake Pads
The market offers several types of brake pads, including organic brake pads, sintered brake pads, and semi-metallic brake pads. Generally, sintered brake pads have a longer lifespan compared to semi-metallic and organic brake pads. Furthermore, sintered brake pads can handle extreme heat and are resistant to fade.
Speaking of organic brake pads, they are made of a blend of organic fibers and fillers. They are inexpensive compared to the semi-sintered and sintered brake pads. Unfortunately, they also wear faster than the other two types. Semi-sintered brakes are a blend of organic and sintered brake pads and they last longer than organic brake pads.
The Speed and Weight of Your Motorcycle
Both the speed and weight of your motorcycle affect the lifespan of the brake pads. A sport-oriented or heavy motorcycle will require more friction or force to stop and therefore the brake pads will degrade faster. Similarly, a speeding motorcycle will require more force or friction to stop and you will be forced to replace the brake pads more often. So, remember to inspect the pads visually before you start riding.
The Braking Frequency
The frequency of braking and your speed of braking will affect the lifespan of the brake pads. People who brake in heavy traffic roads or crowded places replace the brake pads more often. That is for the reason that they apply the brakes very fast and more often.
FAQs
Why Do Motorcycle Brake Pads Wear Down Very Fast?
The answer is friction. The friction that the braking pads and the brake disc cause slows down the motorcycle. And after the brake pads have rubbed against the disc several times, they start wearing away slowly.
Do Rear Brake Pads Wear Off Faster than the Front Brake Pads?
No, front brake pads wear off 2-3 times faster than the rear brake pads. That is for the reason that the front brakes play a vital role in stopping the motorbike during emergency stops. In such cases, a large percentage of the motorbike’s weight and the weight of the rider transfers forward onto the front suspension and front wheel. It then compresses the front forks to push down on the tire, therefore, enlarging the contact patch and increasing the grip.
The rear brake pads handle around 25 percent of the braking and therefore you are likely to replace them once for every 2-3 times you replace your motorbike’s front pads. The main purpose of rear-wheel brakes is to minimize the stopping distance and share the workload to help extend the life of front-wheel brakes.
How Can You Tell Whether Your Motorcycle Brake Pads are Worn Out?
Most people will only replace their motorcycle brake pads after they start making noise. Unfortunately, that is dangerous and costly practice because the brake pads can score or scratch the brake rotor or disc if you fail to replace them at the right time. That will cost you more money because you will have to replace the brake rotor too. Even more, worn-out brake pads are unsafe because they can fail to stop the motorcycle during an emergency.
You can check the brake pads visually to know whether it is time to change them. This method does not require a dismantling of the brake system. The manufacturers include inspection ports for the purpose. All you have to do is shine a small torch into the ports to see whether the brakes are in good condition.
Conclusion
Several factors determine the length of time that your motorcycle brake pads will last. The factors include how you ride the bike, the conditions of every ride, and how often you ride the bike. Furthermore, your motorcycle riding style and the material used to make the pads will determine the length of time. Keep the brake pads in their optimal operating conditions and if possible, buy the best brake pads that you can afford. You would not want your motorcycle brakes to fail.