Brake Pads- Ceramic, Semi-Metalic, Organic?

[Mickeymoe]

I'm in the process of ordering new tires for my new '80 GS1000G acquisition and am going to install brake pads all around since the bike has 17k and still has the originals. The rotors are pretty much mint and I'd like to keep them that way. What is the best TYPE of brake pad to use for sport touring/ around town, etc? There are semi-metalic, organic, and semi-sintered available, but I don't know which type is OEM. I called a few Suzuki dealers but they said they have NO IDEA what type of pads are OEM!

Any help would be appreciated.

Mark

 

[Guest]

Sinister are hard on your rotors.
I use organic and change them every year or so.

 

[GregT]

OEM in the 80's would most likely have been organic based.
The semi stainless rotors can cut up badly with sintered pads. Organics are the way to go IMO.

 

[Guest]

Sintered are definitely tougher on the rotors but they work so much better that I think the rotor wear is worth it. Best choice is to do Salty Monk's brake upgrade and then run sintered pads on rotors meant for them. You get much improved braking performance, less unsprung weight and it looks cooler, too!


Mark

 

[tkent02]

What he said. I like powerful brakes. If you are going to stay with the weak stock GS brakes sintered pads will help them work a little bit better. Unworn low mileage used discs are easily available and cheap, but I haven't had to replace any discs due to wear.

How long your discs last probably depends a lot more on how you use the brakes than it does on which pads you use.

 

[Mickeymoe]

Thanks for the input guys. I ordered a full set of EBC organic brake pads along with a new set of Mezelers today. Should be on the road sometime next week. (if the order arrives when they say it will)

I compared "Bike Bandit" and "Motorcycle Superstore" and they were about the same. I had a 10 percent off coupon with BB but they said it's no good on tires....nice.

Mark