Brake Pads

[dank]

How long are brake pads lasting on your bikes? I'm at 19,600 miles. Everything is still good and some wear left. Any Nomad quirks I should be aware of in changing them? I've looked at Gadget's page.

[ringadingh]

Thats not bad mileage, some get a lot more if they drive a lot of highways or go easy on the brakes. I changed my rear pads at 33,000 miles, front pads are still ok at 42,000 miles. will probably replace them over the winter.

[dank]

Thanks for the info. :)

[jmorrow]

I have 40,400 on my Nomad. I will be putting a new rear tire on during winter and will also put new rear brake pads on while I'm at it. They are the original pads and are getting thin so I'll change them before I have some kind of problem with them.

[bobzinger]

Man I only got 12,500 out of my rear pads on my 05 Nad.

[flightdoc]

I have an 05 and had to replace the rears first, at 15k.

[spirello]

I ALSO REPLACESD MY REAR AT ABOUT 12,000. 2006 1600 HAS ANYONE HAD ANY NOISE FROM REAR PADS? ITS NOT LOUD BUT AT HWY SPEED I CAN HEAR THE PADS TOUCHING THE ROTOR. BLEED THE BRAKES CHECKED THE ROTOR. IS THIS NORMAL?

[cactusjack]

When I picked up my new '07 Nomad a few weeks ago, the dealer told me once I got the tires scuffed in to only use my rear brakes for emergencies and to use the front brakes for most braking. I was told that's how the bike was designed. They told me the front brakes were a lot cheaper to replace than the rear.

Regardless, I still use the rear brake, especially when braking into a turn. I do my own non-warranty work, so I assume the dealer was referring to the extra labor charges involved with changing the rears.

Has anybody else been told not to use the rear brakes? I somewhat appreciate the dealers attempt to save me money, but I don't think it's very sound advice.

[bobzinger]

I use both the brakes, but maybe 70% front brakes and 30% rear, but when it comes to low speed handling (friction zone type stuff, clutch, throttle, brake) I use the rear only.

[dogdoc]

I use about 75% front/25% rear most times but for slow city driving, I use the front mostly only.

Same here I use 65% front brake and the rest on rear. I have 13k on my 06 nomad and brakes look good. If some of you are replacing your rear brake at 12K maybe you need to stop resting your foot on the rear brake pedal LOLOLOLOL. I'm just kidding but seroulsy you may be riding your rear brake a tad to much. Just a thought.

[bluetongue]

The front and rear pads are the same except for the left front. I just replaced my rear pads with 24,000 on them. Your front brakes provided approx 80% of braking power.I use the rear brakes at slow speeds and tend to drag them a little when going through corners just to scrub off a little speed. Just remember if you lock up the rear brake try to keep them locked until you stop or are slow enough that the rear will not aggressively regain speed and toss your butt of the the bike. Happened to me on a friends crotch rocket.

Pad change is easy just look for the little retainer clip on the bar that holds the pads on.

[flightdoc]

You should always use BOTH brakes at speed. If you are creeping along or making a very tight slow turn then rear only is ok.
I can't believe a dealer told you that.....what an idiot he must be.

[cactusjack]

You should always use BOTH brakes at speed. If you are creeping along or making a very tight slow turn then rear only is ok.
I can't believe a dealer told you that.....what an idiot he must be.

It sure didn't make sense to me. I didn't follow his advice. I can replace my own brake pads, so it isn't an issue with me.

Thanks!