Brakes...AGAIN!!

[Gunner2]

 Ok Folks, I've read  a LOT about the different brakes recommended here on this forum. I've looked at all the links y'all (that's southern for "all y'all") have posted and I gotta tell you, I'm more confused than ever!  OEM's for the factory stainless rotors...ECB on ECB rotors only...sintered pads...Kevlar pads...organic pads...it just all blends together.  So let's do this. I've got a 2000 Tourer with 25k miles on it. I'm the 5th owner (and hopefully my son-16 now- will be the 6th owner one day) so I don't know it's complete history.  It's got what I believe to be the factory rotors on it (what's the average life of those anyway?) which is the stainless, right? Please give me a list of what brakes I should put on my girl. I'd like to know average prices too if possible along with links to where I can get these. I've been looking on Amazon but don't really know what to look for specifically. HELP and thanks. Be safe out there!! 

[Patrick]

I'd recommend measuring the rotor thickness, if too thin, get new ones, OEM. As for pads, I would again recommend OEM.
I don't know where you can get them cheaper than a dealer. But, the originals are soft, quiet and these pads are easy to change.

[Bone]

My 98 Tourer has 129k all with OEM pads. Original rotors that I will have to measure thanks Patrick.

I try to avoid stop and go riding stopping only for gas and home.

[hubcapsc]

Slam on some OEM pads. If you don't have a way to measure the rotors, worn
ones probably have a lip you can see and feel on the edge. Unless you've been
riding around with the brakes on for a few thousand miles, you probably don't
have worn out rotors at 25K, but who knows...? As owner number 5, your bike
might have gone around the clock a few times   ...

I like Amazon, I don't know that you'll always find the cheapest prices there. If
you put the OEM pad part number in the amazon search box, you'll find some
sources, here's one:

http://www.amazon.com/HONDA-06455-MV4-405-PAD-SET-FR/dp/B00I87E2TM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1446148764&sr=8-3&keywords=06455-MV4-405

You can get part numbers for every part on the bike at one of the on-line fiche places, I like servicehonda - I've already
focused this URL on the front brake calipers, but you can use the drop down box at the top to select any other parts
group (like the rear brake caliper).

http://www.servicehonda.com/parts/lookup#/Honda/GL1500CT_A_(97)_MOTORCYCLE%2c_USA%2c_VIN%23_1HFSC343-VA000001/FRONT_BRAKE_CALIPER/GL1500CT-97-A/2Y14MZ0VE1AMZ04F1000AAB

If you look there, you'll see the OEM front brake pad part number: 06455-MV4-405

You can buy all these parts from service honda, some of them from amazon, or just put the part number into google and find
a thousand places to get them...

-Mike

[John Schmidt]

You can get OEM pads at the link below for $32.12 a set. Free shipping on orders over $99 so add something else that's about $4. 

http://www.procaliber.com/oemparts/a/hon/506cb6faf870023420a41a07/front-brake-caliper

[ShiftHappens]

Also note, a set is for 1 caliper, so the front requires 2 sets

[Bighead]

OEM

[Hook#3287]

OEM are the best IMHO

[98valk]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,13708.0.html  more brakes
from my various posts.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,8482.0.html
first off the valkyrie does not use metallic pads, it uses sintered bronze pads, big difference when it comes to wear of the rotors esp. stainless steel rotors. With Iron rotors u would be correct but not for the valkyrie. Sintered pads also often exceed the braking of organic pads in the wet and out perform any organic pad for maximum initial braking esp. the new HH pads. The only organics that can meet the braking of sintered pads are race organics, however they need lots of heat to do it. Not something or time to do on the street when somebody cuts into your lane. Organics have a low initial bite.

good explanation of why EBC cause problems, it has to do with the torque curve of the pads
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/general-sportbikes/384441-brake-pads.html
Different brake pads have different torque curves... the coefficient of friction changes as you both heat the pads, and as you increase lever pressure. That being the case, some pads literally 'run hot' under light loads... having a high coefficient of friction from the get-go and a flat torque curve... meaning the friction co-efficient changes as you exert increasing amounts of pressure. EBC pads are an excellent example of such a pad.

Vesrah makes most OEM pads. The stock valkyrie pads are HH pads as are the Vesrah replacements.
vesrah shows them the same size backing plate, just thicknesses are different. Ferodo shows the same also. 8.2 mm is stock thk front,  9.6 mm is the max that will fit from what I have been told, in fact this thk is all that ferodo imports into USA. rear is 10.3 mm, don't know if they will squeeze in or not. I just ordered the vesrah 9.6mm for my bike from denniskirk, fit perfectly. they are HH pads and highly rated.
They are wearing better than the OEM plus the added thickness. notice no difference in stopping power coming from the OEM.

http://catalog.vesrah.co.jp/index_street_f.html     click on brakes, then search

http://www.ferodoracing.com/catalogue/search.php?search=motorcycle_vehicle&cat=brake_pads  (owned by TRW now??)

top high pads are ferodo (some consider the best of the best) Vesrah, and SBS
and u can't go wrong with OEM.

[Paladin528]

I have the Ferodo on the front of my Interstate and they buzz as bad as the EBC sintered pads.  The OEM are the quietest of the available pads for the Valk.
The design of the pad surface makes a difference in noise level.  The OEM pad is cut in 3 places making up 4 "Pucks"  This allows the expanding gasses between the rotor and pad during braking to escape easily.  The Ferodo, Versah and EBC have a single cut resulting in 2 "pucks" this actually makes them Buzz.  I had the same issue on my VT1100 Tourer with anything but OEM pads.
Once these are Worn out the OEM will be going back on.

[vanagon40]

. . .  The OEM are the quietest of the available pads for the Valk. . . .

Really?  That's a pretty bold statement.

[98valk]

I have the Ferodo on the front of my Interstate and they buzz as bad as the EBC sintered pads.  The OEM are the quietest of the available pads for the Valk.
The design of the pad surface makes a difference in noise level.  The OEM pad is cut in 3 places making up 4 "Pucks"  This allows the expanding gasses between the rotor and pad during braking to escape easily.  The Ferodo, Versah and EBC have a single cut resulting in 2 "pucks" this actually makes them Buzz.  I had the same issue on my VT1100 Tourer with anything but OEM pads.
Once these are Worn out the OEM will be going back on.

I have no problems with the Vesrah I have installed.
they have the same sintered bronze buzz that the OEM had, that's what SB does.
the cuts in the pad? don't the rotors have slots for escaping gases?
there are many thoughts out there on the # of cuts in a brake pad. not really that important and have nothing to do with any noise.

[Gunner2]

Thanks all for the info. I'll let you know what I decide to do.

[32coupe]

I just received a complete set of pads, front and rear, from Babbits in Michigan.  They are OEM and cost about $31.00 per set, plus shipping. These are bronze sintered.  Price is much lower than Honda over the counter.
Weatherford, Tx

[Tfrank59]

Well since you read all the posts about brakes--and that's a lot--then you've gotten sufficiently confused, but you have also read that for the most part you can't go wrong with OEM pads. I went through several different types before I came back to the Honda pads. As for your rotors, if they don't have deep grooves and are still above the minimum thickness (it's marked on there – the rear I believe is 6 mm minimum), you should be OK with what you've got. With 25K on the bike I can't imagine the rotors should be in too bad a shape. Good luck and let us know what you do.

[big poppa pump]

Just finished replacing the front brake pads on my Yellow Tourer with a new set of Vesrah brake pads. Will take a ride later this evening and see how it performs.

[flash2002]

Anybody try these brake pads, just wondering if there any good.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Honda-Rear-Brake-Pads-GL1500-Valkyrie-Tourer-Interstate-GL1500-C-F6C-1997-2003-/381145753174?hash=item58be0ea656:g:DboAAOSwk5FU0SPK&vxp=mtr

[RDKLL]

Anybody try these brake pads, just wondering if there any good.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Honda-Rear-Brake-Pads-GL1500-Valkyrie-Tourer-Interstate-GL1500-C-F6C-1997-2003-/381145753174?hash=item58be0ea656:g:DboAAOSwk5FU0SPK&vxp=mtr

Yep...thats what I have and they have been just fine, had them on for about 5K miles or so

[98valk]

Anybody try these brake pads, just wondering if there any good.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Honda-Rear-Brake-Pads-GL1500-Valkyrie-Tourer-Interstate-GL1500-C-F6C-1997-2003-/381145753174?hash=item58be0ea656:g:DboAAOSwk5FU0SPK&vxp=mtr

organic says it all,  less braking when wet and less initial bite = longer braking distance.
why would anybody in their right mind skimp on braking performance to save a few $? 
the bike was designed to use sintered bronze brake pads for maximum braking performance, use the same.