Author Topic: Front brake feel (Read 4932 times)

Camshaft · « **on:** 03 February 2014, 09:34:07 am »

My front brakes running EBC HH's lack feel until a few hard applications, they seem to really need some heat before they give progressive feel.
Pads will need replacing soon and I use my bike for commuting and weekends back road blasted, no track riding.
Should I stick with the HH's or go with another compound that provides better feel without needing heating up so much?

unfazed · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 February 2014, 11:19:37 am »

Are you using EBC or OEM discs?

Falcon 269 · « **Reply #2 on:** 03 February 2014, 11:51:36 am »

Although pricey by comparison, I've never found better pads for immediate feel and bite than the Yamaha OE ones.

FWIW, I have EBC/HH pads on mine (with wavy discs) and find the same as you ... they have to be used a few times hard to get them up to their best.

Exupnut · « **Reply #3 on:** 03 February 2014, 01:14:50 pm »

+1 for oem pads. Awesome feel. I need pads soon And am lookin oem. Any idea how much?

Fazerider · « **Reply #4 on:** 03 February 2014, 02:04:26 pm »

I switched from EBC/HH to their organic compound recently and was surprised at the improvement in feel.
It has also stopped the discs rusting and seizing to the pads which always used to happen if the bike was parked up when wet.

Gnasher · « **Reply #5 on:** 03 February 2014, 04:12:49 pm »

Quote from: Falcon 269 on 03 February 2014, 11:51:36 am

Although pricey by comparison, I've never found better pads for immediate feel and bite than the Yamaha OE ones.

EBC have been off the ball for quite some time in my opinion I stopped using them some years ago, SBS HS are the way to go better than OE and cheaper

dickturpin · « **Reply #6 on:** 03 February 2014, 06:43:47 pm »

I also switched to organic from EBC HH because of the lack of bight until warmed up.

Camshaft · « **Reply #7 on:** 04 February 2014, 09:16:14 am »

Quote from: unfazed on 03 February 2014, 11:19:37 am

Are you using EBC or OEM discs?

OEM's

Mattsplat · « **Reply #8 on:** 04 February 2014, 10:43:37 am »

I'd be checking for air in the system before changing anything else!

Sounds like air if you have to pump the lever hard.

sadlonelygit · « **Reply #9 on:** 04 February 2014, 06:28:41 pm »

I know this sounds a little strange but why are you surprised that your pads need warming up. Your tyres, engine all need warming up before they deliver proper performance, no different for your stoppers.
F1 brakes don't work below 100c, not bad once up to 600c operating temps

Capt · « **Reply #10 on:** 04 February 2014, 06:44:19 pm »

I agree EBC HH need some stick to operate better, now some one has brought the subject up I always felt they lacked feel till warm, Demon Tweeks recommend Bendix MF a sister company of SBC, "it's their best seller" so they told me. There specification states the equivalent that of EBC HH though.

What about Brembo or Ferodo, any users out there?

AyJay · « **Reply #11 on:** 04 February 2014, 08:24:07 pm »

I agree with others that you can't beat the OE pads for normal road use. HH's are harder and ok for track days or my EBC disc'ed ZZR1400, but even Yamaha OE pads are fade free on track days, so…. And they last a long time and don't destroy your discs.

unfazed · « **Reply #12 on:** 05 February 2014, 12:02:11 am »

Quote from: Camshaft on 04 February 2014, 09:16:14 am

Quote from: unfazed on 03 February 2014, 11:19:37 am
Are you using EBC or OEM discs?

OEM's

Then it is most likely the pads, I have found the latest EBC HH pads have absolutel no feel until warmed up. I always used EBC HH until recently. SBS or Ferodo equivallent definitely have better feel. I am not a great lover of the organic ones as I find them to soft and require a harder pull to have the same effect as the HH types.
I am presuming the brake fluid is fresh Dot 4 and has been bled fully.

Kosmic Kartman · « **Reply #13 on:** 05 February 2014, 09:23:56 am »

I'm still running the OE pads on my Fazer at the moment but I've found on past bikes that the EBC HH pads eat my discs, especially when used on my XJR1200. I've switched to SBS and I'll put them on the FZS when they need replacing.

stevierst · « **Reply #14 on:** 05 February 2014, 02:27:45 pm »

I've switched to bendix MF compound for my fz1, and they're miles better than EBC. I've convinced a fee friends on other machines, and the result is the same.
Hot or cold, they're great to use, no fade when pushed hard (and they do get pushed), bit subtle enough for commuting. I'm going to get rid of the crap ones on my thundercat I use for commuting, and go with bendix pads.
Don't get suckered into using one specific brand though, try something different, especially when they're fairly inexpensive.

The Male Whale · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 February 2014, 11:57:21 pm »

GoldFren pads are a cheap and most excellent pad IMHO - loads of feel and power and wear is good too.

About a tenner less than EBC per caliper too!

Not great on the heavier bikes though as my Pan would get through a set in 1600 miles....

Whale

silverfz · « **Reply #16 on:** 06 February 2014, 07:14:04 am »

I use EBC HH and i have never had a problem with them, i have used them in most of bikes.

Exupnut · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 February 2014, 02:44:11 pm »

Oem yammy pads are 34 quid per side so i gonna go for those. Brilliant pads imo. I checked them this morn and after 14.5 k they have only half worn.

So i wont be goin for em just yet

Fuzzy · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 February 2014, 02:56:31 pm »

Yammy Oem are good but a tad pricey, the SBS HS are a good alternative imo

Exupnut · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 February 2014, 03:57:43 pm »

68 quid for both sides fuzzy... 14.5k and only half worn is foccin cheap imo.

Fuzzy · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 February 2014, 03:59:47 pm »

Relative to others the oems seem pricey but when you put it that way, it doesn't seem bad at all. Brakes being what they are, worth paying a bit more for what feels best I guess

noggythenog · « **Reply #21 on:** 08 February 2014, 04:02:10 pm »

Ye sorry guys but this does seem a fair price for brakes considering their importance, I'm all for cheapness if same quality but all that happens is we get more threads with folk trying to guess why their brakes are so bad & changing out this that & the next thing when it could just be the dodgy fleabay pads they got.

Standard brakes with standard pads are awesome.........says the eedgit that has managed to lock up the front twice now $:\$

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #22 on:** 08 February 2014, 04:13:06 pm »

Quote from: silverfz on 06 February 2014, 07:14:04 am

I use EBC HH and i have never had a problem with them, i have used them in most of bikes.

I've definitely had greater disc wear with EBC HH's in the past. Although I don't know what's in mine at the mo, I'm confident it's not these just going by disc wear. Probably OEMs for me next too.

The Male Whale · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 February 2014, 09:55:58 am »

Quote from: Exupnut on 08 February 2014, 02:44:11 pm

Oem yammy pads are 34 quid per side so i gonna go for those. Brilliant pads imo. I checked them this morn and after 14.5 k they have only half worn.

So i wont be goin for em just yet

Looks to me the last time you cleaned them up was 14500 miles ago as well....... $:\$

Whale

JoeRock · « **Reply #24 on:** 09 February 2014, 12:49:23 pm »

Carbone Lorraine - best pads I've ever found. Next up though will be a set of Brembos, just to see what they're like!