Brake Pad Reviews/Recommendations

Discussion in 'Performance & Technical' started by kisertn, Aug 17, 2016.

  1. kisertn

    kisertn What's an apex?

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    Seeking Advice...
    I am looking to replace and 'upgrade' my brake pads. I've googled for an hour now and searched these forums. I have come to understand the various types of brake pads and so, for EBC and Vesrah, I understand which end of the spectrum of pads I should be considering. What I have not been able to do is find anyone comparing these products, nor am I convinced I have discovered all viable brands.

    • Low-level "I" level rider (but looking to move up)
    • 2015 Daytona 675R dedicated track bike
    • Currently running the original stock pads, which have less than 6,000 miles on them
    • Running stock rotors on one wheelset and Galfer wave rotors on another

    Currently eyeing the EBC EPFA and Vesrah SRJL XX brake pads. I did read something about the need to keep the SRJL XX pads well-heated in order for them to work effectively, which gave me a slight pause. Also, the price of the SRJL XX pads gives me pause, as they will be $190 for a full set (as compared to $137 for the EBCs)

    While brake pads are not grossly expensive, they are not cheap either; especially since you have to purchase two sets for the front. So, figured I would approach you here, with your wide and vast experience, to get pointers and hopefully avoid any mistakes.

    I appreciate any advice you care to provide.

    Thanks!
    -Neil
     
  2. TLR67

    TLR67 Cheers!
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    Vesrah SRJL XX brake pads for sure.... Call BD Racing.....
     
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  3. tnskydivr

    tnskydivr Shut up and Jump!
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    I've used the EBC's and moved to the Vesrah's. It seemed to me that the EBC's would glaze over some and lose some of their effectiveness, but the Vesrah's seem to stay the same thru their entire life....
     
  4. tigerblade

    tigerblade What's an apex?

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    I'm using EPFA right now and like them fine. Haven't had any issues. Have used Vesrah RJL in the past (on my SV) and got along fine with them too.
     
  5. sammPD4075

    sammPD4075 Knows an apex

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    vesrah rjl pads .. hands down
     
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  6. mfb2168

    mfb2168 STT Staff
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    ++10
    I switched to them. Mid I pace. Won't go back thats for sure. Was running ebc before.
     
  7. VernLux

    VernLux Knows an apex

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    Another vote for the Vesrah SRJL-XX pads. I had them on my 600RR and now on my GSXR 750....gotta love em.
     
    #7 VernLux, Aug 17, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2016
  8. JTRC51

    JTRC51 The fast Juan

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    I vote EBC EPFA or GPFAX. I have used Carbon Lorrain, EBC, Galfer and all seemed to work great! It's splitting hairs nowadays. It depends on what you want and your riding style. Do you want more initial bite or a more progressive feel?

    I like the latter because I like to trail brake and have more feel from my brakes. The EBC EPFA have been great so far with awesome feel and great wear! I may try Vesrah next but for the value and performance of EPFA's, it won't be anytime soon :)
     
  9. FZ1guy

    FZ1guy Hey - Watch this...

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    I really like my EBCs but I'm going with Vesrah next time because so many good reviews.
     
  10. steve p

    steve p What's an apex?
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    I've run just about everything there is to run, brake pad wise. As stated above, it all comes down to what type of feel you are looking for. EBC is my least favorite brand. I've had people tell me, no try them now, they're "all new." Felt like the same ole EBC to me, glazed over piece of wood. I ran Ferodo XRAC and ZRAC for a long time, great pad. I ran Vesrah too for a long time, another great pad. PFC is another great pad but they have many compounds so know what you want. We are currently running the newest SBS-DS pad and it too is a phenomenal pad.

    What type are you looking for? Are you a sintered pad guy? Are you a carbon pad guy? How do you like your brakes to feel? The bike you have, already has awesome brakes, and the stock pads are very good. If you like the stock pad feel, I would recommend either a Brembo replacement, Vesrah, Ferodo, or SBS, not necessarily in that order. Just my opinion.
     
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  11. FZ1guy

    FZ1guy Hey - Watch this...

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    What I like about my EBC HH Sintered pads is the feel at the lever. The lever stops about 1/2" and from there it's all about how hard I pull, not how far I pull the lever. Total control and easily control rear wheel lift with two fingers.

    I feel stupid even trying something else, but that's even stupider.

    What Vesrah would you recommend?
     
  12. mfb2168

    mfb2168 STT Staff
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    RJL or SRJL XX. I’ve been using the SRJL XX. 165.00 for the front on my honda from stg. but i think their worth it.

    .
     
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  13. flylikechris

    flylikechris Wait, how tall are you?

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    I rode my track bike down the alley behind my garage yesterday. Main take-away was "Shit, there Vesrah's are awesome".
    SRJL-XX

    I haven't been on that bike all season, forgot how good they were. The brake feel alone made me so happy.
     
  14. sbk1198

    sbk1198 What's an apex?

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    SBS dual-carbon.
     
  15. kisertn

    kisertn What's an apex?

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    Thanks everyone for your replies.

    Steve P mentioned that the pads I have on the bike now are very good (I have nothing to compare against, but I've had no complaints with them). I was wondering if anyone knows the original manufacturer of the pads that come on the stock Daytona 675R (2015)? Would they be Brembo pads? I've had no complaints with the pads I have. However, OEM parts tend (as a rule in life, not specifically for Triumph) to be overpriced and under-performant; which is why I started out looking at independent brands.

    Brembo are considered, as I understand it, one of the better brake systems out there. Does Brembo make their own brake pads? I never thought of them before now; no idea why.

    For now, what I have done is to go with the Vesrah RJL pads. The SRJL-XX were just $50 more than I could come up with right now. I'll try the SRJL-XX's for next season.

    Does one need anything special to run carbon brake pads? (such as special rotors, etc.) My understanding is that carbon pads, while offering a weight loss, will deteriorate pretty quickly. I'm not a racer and never will be; just a trackday enthusiast. So, with what I believe I know, it would not seem carbon pads would be worthwhile to me. Unless I have some of my data incorrect.
     
  16. tnskydivr

    tnskydivr Shut up and Jump!
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    Carbon not worthwhile when you have $$ issues for SRJL-XX. All of these are plenty good for trackday riders.
     
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  17. Peyton Hibdon

    Peyton Hibdon Team Squid

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    I just made the switch to the Vesrah rjl pads on my bike. Initial street ride was a tad disappointing. Second ride was track day at Blackhawk Farms which got some heat into them and properly bedded them in. Worth every penny. No fade as the day went on whatsoever. Very satisfied customer.
     
  18. Prufrock

    Prufrock traffic

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    +1 for Vesrah
     
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  19. Shamrock

    Shamrock What's an apex?

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    Yes, Brembo make their own pads. The Daytona 675R has Brembo master cylinder (albeit bottom of the barrel), Brembo calipers, Brembo rotors, and Brembo OEM pads.

    You can also get upgraded pads if you wish. The Z04 pads are World Superbike. I wouldn't bother with them. LOL

    Here is for my 2014 675R, same bike as your's. Personally I would choose the Racing-SC (trackday pad). OEM pad we have is equivalent to the "Genuine Sinter (93)". I personally wouldn't BUY them from Brembo though.

    http://moto.brembo.com/en/results/triumph/daytona-r/675/2014/pads/front
     
  20. rock3r4life

    rock3r4life Rides with no training wheels

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    Heres my thoughts on Vesrah XX's vs EBC GPFAX's:

    -Initial bite, feel, and overall power all go to EBC.
    -No noticeable fading from either.
    -EBC retains similar feel throughout its short lifespan.
    -Longevity goes to Vesrah. Judging by amount of material left, I assume they last about 2-3x longer than the EBC's. Possible loss of power&feel, see below.

    When I came off a set of toasted (~0.5mm) GPFAX's, there was no remarkable change in performance going to XX's.
    When I came off a halfway used (2-3mm) set of XX's, there was a fair improvement in all qualities going to GPFAX's.

    That's just like, my opinion, man.
     

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