BRAKE PADS $$$ ???

[Poor Ol Harry]

I needed front brk.pads for my 2000 IS....looked on Ebay finding plenty for $25 / $50 but decided to support the local Honda shop........well for 4 brk.pads for the front was a couple r 3 dollars short of $100.00.......not really winning but are the Honda pads any better & is it like other things....you get what you pay for?

[shortleg]

  Did you try Honda Direct line.
        Shortleg[Dave]

[Daniel Meyer]

If you're running Honda rotors, honda pads are the best.

They should run around $37/set...2 sets for the fronts.

[vanagon40]

Only because asked, I will repeat my theory that Honda is not the only manufacturer capable of producing quality brake pads.  Just because the pads are inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) does not mean they are inferior.  I buy aftermarket pads for all my vehicles, including my Valkyrie.  The $60 saved on brake pads spends the same as the $60 saved by changing your own oil using non-Honda oil and a non-Honda filter.  As a general rule, I do not purchase the most expensive gasoline I find because "you get what you pay for."

That said, I understand that certain brands of pads do not work well with Honda rotors.  However, simply because one brand of pads may be detrimental to the Honda rotors does not mandate a conclusion that only Honda pads are acceptable.

(And I ALWAYS take pause when I disagree with Daniel Meyer on ANY subject regarding the Valkyrie.)

[98valk]

IMHO always buy name brand high quaility pads. Is the money u save worth 10 ft or 4 ft longer stopping distance? Motorcycle consumer news testing of the valkyrie has listed it in the top 3 for best stopping distances since the '97. Why would one want a longer stopping distance by using pads that are not equal to OEM or better?

I use Vesrah in a thicker pad size, for longer life. they were the same price or cheaper than OEM from DennisKirk.
Vesrah makes most OEM pads. I feel these stop a little better than the Honda OEMs.

Search my handle for more info that I have posted on brake pads.

your stopping distance may differ

[Daniel Meyer]

Only because asked, I will repeat my theory that Honda is not the only manufacturer capable of producing quality brake pads.  Just because the pads are inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) does not mean they are inferior.  I buy aftermarket pads for all my vehicles, including my Valkyrie.  The $60 saved on brake pads spends the same as the $60 saved by changing your own oil using non-Honda oil and a non-Honda filter.  As a general rule, I do not purchase the most expensive gasoline I find because "you get what you pay for."

That said, I understand that certain brands of pads do not work well with Honda rotors.  However, simply because one brand of pads may be detrimental to the Honda rotors does not mandate a conclusion that only Honda pads are acceptable.

(And I ALWAYS take pause when I disagree with Daniel Meyer on ANY subject regarding the Valkyrie.)

No problem disagreeing...Folks find different qualities in different things. I have my opinions, but that's all they are.

So, I'll qualify my statement by saying *I've* not used any aftermarket pads on Honda *Valkyrie* rotors that worked worth a flip. Maybe there are some. It's not EBC.

I like EBC pads usually, I've used them on most of my bikes. They absolutely suck on the Valk with stock rotors and they are only a few bucks cheaper...maybe save $10/set on them. Braking authority went to crap as well as feedback...and I view feedback as the utmost importance if riding near the edge...the mind-bending squeal in wet conditions was kind of annoying as well.

I've heard they run nice on EBC rotors...but I don't have EBC rotors...

I've never used DUNLOP pads but they cost MORE than stock, and if they're anything like the tires (I don't even know if it's the same co) ...

Are there any others?

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I've used these pads  (Vesrah ) before and got good service from them. Seems like I paid 16 bucks a set from JC Whitney for them.

[Maddog vrcc#508]

I've used many types on 5 Valkyrie's, I just bought a package of 2 sets for the front on E-bay yesterday. $35.00 including freight. Good luck.

[greggh]

Never run EBC pads on OEM rotors - THey will eat your rotors up.
Don't ask me how I know that!

[fudgie]

I've used pads on my rear wheel by Braking from parts unlimited. I think they are half the price of oem. They seem a hair thicker. Seem to last just as long as oem. But i'm hard on brakes.

[fiddle mike]

...
Are there any others?

Galfer makes pads.  I'm wondering what kind of pads should be used with OEM rotors: sintered, semi-metallic, or organic?