If you got 40k out of the pads and are leaving on a 10K trip I would just change both front and rear. It's cheep insurance and not that expensive. Who wants to be looking at brake pads when on a vacation.

 

Just change them. I change my pads every year on my Harley mainly because I can get all 3 sets for $20.

 

If there are only 60% worn in 40K miles I don't need to change them out yet. There is a service wear limit in the shop manual for a reason.. to avoid guessing. That is why I'm trying to get the new OEM pad thickness.

If I thought like you are suggesting I'd just purchase a new RT in case mine is near worn out.

There are approximately $375 for OEM front and back if I install them. I could carry a complete set if the current set is any where near failure and throw them in the calipers if required.

Anyone know the OEM brake pad thickness when new?

.

 

This is a cup half full vs cup half empty. I would measure how many mm you have left and decide. IMHO if your at 2mm-3.5mm or less, change the pads....If your 4mm or greater left, leave them alone.

 

And what does a new rear pad measure?

That is the key to making an informed decision on replacement.

If a rear pad measures 6mm new and I have 3mm remaining after 40 K miles I'm fine for another 10k miles. The pads have worn 3mm since new with a remaining 2mm of use. Under my riding characteristics I'm getting ~ 13K miles per 1mm of rear pad wear and could expect another 25K miles before reaching the 1mm service interval specified in the service manual.

 

The min thickness is a limit, not an attainment requirement. Why anyone would want to take brake pads to 1mm before replacing is beyond me.

Tom

 

The min thickness is a limit, not an attainment requirement.

That is what I mentioned above for the rear pads and is referenced in the service manual. If I decide to run them to 1mm and replace them, then I'm following the service manual replacement spec similar to an oil change, valve lash check and tire replacement.

 

Can anyone confirm what the OEM brake pad thickness is for the front and rear pads when new?
If I know the original pad thickness I can guage how much wear ( amount of pad) I'd require before replacement based on my riding style.

Fast1, It sounds like you are trying to turn the art of motorcycle maintenance into a science. What good can all this research, measurement & calculation do?
And finally does anyone know the brake pad thickness for the front and rear when new?

Ian

 

Fast1, It sounds like you are trying to turn the art of motorcycle maintenance into a science. What good can all this research, measurement & calculation do?
And finally does anyone know the brake pad thickness for the front and rear when new?

Ian

You do your maintenace to your moto however you want.

All I wanted was the pad thickness when new. If you don't have it, then don't waste your time replying.

I've spent a number of years in a management position with a commercial airline participating in ensuring a fleet of 400+ aircraft met service standards by the book and that were periodically audited by the FAA on-site for compliance. Not about to change my methodology because some guy on the internet thinks he knows the best maintenance practices.

 

Fast1,
It looks like my ironic sense of humour has got me into trouble ...... again.
Of course you need to know the thickness of new OEM brake pads. Then a simple measurement & calculation (the science) guides you as to whether to replace them before your trip.
I was hoping the winking emoji would alert everyone to the irony in "Fast1, It sounds like you are trying to turn the art of motorcycle maintenance into a science. What good can all this research, measurement & calculation do?"
My apologies if I have caused you angst.
Long live the science behind motorcycling.
I do a similar thing with tyres before a trip. I've measured the tread depth and taken the odometer reading when the tyres were new. Before a trip I then remeasure and record the remaining tread depth minus the wear bar. From that I calculate the % of usable tread remaining, calculate the kilometres left, compare that to the length of the proposed trip, and then decide whether to replace the tyres before I go, or part way through the trip (booking ahead and ordering the tyres of course) , or when I get back.

Ian

 

Fast1,

I was hoping the winking emoji would alert everyone to the irony in "Fast1, It sounds like you are trying to turn the art of motorcycle maintenance into a science. What good can all this research, measurement & calculation do?"
My apologies if I have caused you angst.
Long live the science behind motorcycling.

apologies... missed the intent of your post.


.

 

Can anyone confirm what the OEM brake pad thickness is for the front and rear pads when new?

I'm just approaching 40,000 miles on my 22 RT and trying to determine if I need to change out the pads prior to leaving on an upcoming 10,000 mile ride.

The service manual indicates front pads should be changed when the pad thickness reaches the bottom of the groves cut into the pad. Rear brake pads should be changed out at 1mm pad remaining.

If I know the original pad thickness I can guage how much wear ( amount of pad) I'd require before replacement based on my riding style.

6-7mm new and then 1mm to replace so gauge your mileage and wear to see if you'll last the distance. Unless you ride the brakes a lot, you should get about 40,000 mls give or take.

 

FWIW I tracked my 2005 LT brake pad thickness (including the backing plate, just easier to measure) and at 5700 miles they were all around 0.335 inches thick. The rears wore faster and by 29,120 miles they were replaced while the fronts were still 0.318. I went through three sets or rears and only one set of fronts ( and they were still not at the groove limit) by 111,194 miles. I did a lot of speed management through engine braking.

 

I'm glad I started this thread.

It has certainly seperated those that might have a clue about proper routine maintenance for expendables vs those that have no clue.

For future reference, Today I measured new OEM front and rear brake pads (just the pad) for thickness at my local BMW dealership.

Each (front and back) OEM BMW brake pad measures 4mm new.

There is no way in hell I'd install new brake pads on my 22 RT at this point for a 10k mile ride with 3mm of pad remaining.

It now is easy to understand how so many owners have problems with their motos.. most are self created due to lack of knowledge, skill and experience.

.

 

I'm glad I started this thread.

It has certainly seperated those that might have a clue about proper routine maintenance for expendables vs those that have no clue.

For future reference, Today I measured new OEM front and rear brake pads (just the pad) for thickness at my local BMW dealership.

Each (front and back) OEM BMW brake pad measures 4mm new.

There is no way in hell I'd install new brake pads on my 22 RT at this point for a 10k mile ride.

It now is easy to understand how so many owners have problems with their motos.. most are self created due to lack of knowledge, skill and experience.

.

New front pads are WAY thicker then rears for my 1200 GS. Rear pads are very thin new.

No way mine measure the same new.

 

When it comes to tires and brakes to err on the side of caution is OK in my book. I know a California contractor who would get a new set of tires for his truck every 15,000 miles. Crazy or stupid? I don't think so kinda wish I thought like him.