How long do motorcycle disc brake pads last?
Discussion
Roguexcess said:
I don't get that tbh, from no noise to brake squeal after inspection doesn't sit well with me, FYI they changed the windscreen and seat setup
You'll be able to check your own brake pads by just looking at them from underneath the caliper, so should get a good idea of thickness without unbolting anything if you like.As they've checked the brakes, and we're not certain what they've done in the process, then there's countless possibilties of what may have resulted in brake noise.
Have they cleaned the disc with brake cleaner, and dislodged dirt in the disc vent holes which may have affected it?, have they unbolted the caliper to check? Has the pad retaining pin been disturbed in the process and is now affecting their performance? Is there a stone or piece of dirt that has been dislodged in the process? have the pistons been pushed back into the caliper and now they're noisy for whatever reason? Are you only hearing the noise now because the brakes have been mentioned, and are hearing somethign like the usual whine you get off sintered pads?
There's a lot of possibilities, but your best bet is to check yourself and see if the pads are worn or not. It takes all of 20 seconds and no tools to do a quick look.
I had an MOT fail on brake pads a few years ago. I hadn't checked the pads before the MOT, and the first noise I heard which indicated there was a problem was when I braked pulling into the dealer's/tester's car park. When they're gonna go, they can go quickly. I reckon you should be grateful to the dealer for the heads-up. And learn to do brake pads yourself!
Edit: Hang on, you bought the bike brand new 3000 miles ago from said dealer, but it's an indy?
Edit: Hang on, you bought the bike brand new 3000 miles ago from said dealer, but it's an indy?
Edited by underwhelmist on Thursday 9th July 00:37
Adam_W said:
a car guy? but you haven't bothered to kneel down and look into the caliper to see how much pad is left yourself? wont need any tools even!
My thoughts too.Its not like they're hard to change either. Normally they would offer to do them and give you a price as well.
Did the op not ask anymore questions at the time?
Can't see a dealer being that hard up that they have to sabotage brake pads!! Even if they did can you imagine the s
t they'd face if the op crashed with the brakes being at fault..Edited by WarnieV6GT on Thursday 9th July 08:47
I remember one particular customer who was a total pain in the arse; suspicious of anything he was advised needed done/replaced/adjusted etc.
He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to fkall.
If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight...
He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to f
kall.If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight
...Rubin215 said:
I remember one particular customer who was a total pain in the arse; suspicious of anything he was advised needed done/replaced/adjusted etc.
He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to fkall.
If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight...
Would you trust a mechanic who said you need to change the rear brake pads on a Multistrada after 3,000 miles?He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to f
kall.If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight
...underwhelmist said:
Have we established that it’s the rear brakes we’re talking about? I’ve looked back through the thread and it I can’t see anything.
OP has said it's the front pads. I'm also in the camp that there's basically no chance your mechanic has messed with your brakes for the sake of £100 (max). But speak to him first as to why he thinks you need pads, as said above. 
rodericb said:
Rubin215 said:
I remember one particular customer who was a total pain in the arse; suspicious of anything he was advised needed done/replaced/adjusted etc.
He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to fkall.
If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight...
Would you trust a mechanic who said you need to change the rear brake pads on a Multistrada after 3,000 miles?He just had this attitude that everyone was out to rip him off, even though he was pretty minted and could well afford it.
One day he asked the service manager if he could see the old plugs, air and oil filters that had been replaced.
"Yes sir, of course. They're in the bin over there, just go and help yourself..."
The chances of ANYONE swapping out or deliberately damaging your brake pads to try and get another £100 out of you are minimal to f
kall.If you don't trust your mechanic then learn how to do it yourself you tight
...I have seen loads of bikes either ridden mostly in town or by new/inexperienced/bloody hopeless riders where the rear brake is the only one that gets used so by 3k the pads are dust.
It's not in the mechanics interests to try and rip you off over something as easily checked as brakes; there are far better, far more lucrative and much easier ways of doing it.
Roguexcess said:
Depending on when your next service is due, I would also recommend changing those.If they are that low after 3000 miles you are either a lot harder on the brakes than you think or you are riding around with your fingers on the lever.
I would also say that from the amount of brake dust on the caliper and the anti rattle shim, there is no way they have been swapped out while your back was turned.
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