How long do brakes usually last?

[ds06nomad]

I know it varies from rider to rider as everyone brakes differently, but ballpark: how long do brakes last? I use my rear brake primarily and only engage the front brake when necessary. I'm getting a new rear tire next week and was wondering if it may also be time for new brake pads (at least in the rear while the wheel's off).

Also, how much do they cost and what 's a good brand of brake pad?

Thanks a bunch,
Daryl

[ringadingh]

I replaced my rear pads at 33,000 miles, and I just turned 50,000 miles today and still have the original front pads in place. But they are almost due for replacement,I'll see if I can get the season out of them. I tend to gear down as much as possible when stopping, so Im relativly easy on brakes.
I would stick with the OEM pads, I used EBC HH pads in the rear and they stop well, but make a buzzing sound when applied, and I find it annoying.

[oledawg]

::) Thats a tough Question!
It depends how hard you ride. On average I'd say about 20,000
on OEM rear & 35 to 40 thousand on fronts. Price wise on OEM's
figure about $50 per caliper. And OEM's will outlast aftermarket pads by a looooooong shot,maybe double, and they are about $12 bucks a set more. In my opinion well worth the diff.

I changed my rear at 44,000.I just checked the front this weekend.They should easily last another 5,000.I'm at 51,000 now. Like ringa, I gear down a lot.

[VulcanE]

It does depend on how hard you ride. I've only got 23,000 miles on the bike, and am on my 3rd set of rear pads, fronts still have half their life left. I do gear down, and use both front and rear brakes each time I brake.

[dogdoc]

it more than likely depends on how hard you BRAKE!

[chainsaw]

As long as your changing the rear tire, I'd go ahead and change those brake pads. It will save money in the long run from having to take the tire off again and pay the hourly rate again at the dealer. Unless your doing it yourself.

[VulcanE]

To change your pads, you don't have to take the wheel off. It probably takes every bit of 15 minutes to change out the rear pads, and that includes sanding the rotor too.

[coacha]

Hopefully they last long enough for you to stop when you need to!

I am probably due for new pads. When I had the tires changed, they said I had about 6000 more miles or so before I needed them changed and I have put on about that. I'm thinking of doing it myself.

[naugaman]

I had close to 30K miles on my bike when I sold it and had replaced the pads for the second time. I agree, aftermarket is not as good as OEM. If you are not mechanically incline, have the dealer do it. If you are, all that needs to be removed is the right saddle bag. If you have all the tools needed before starting, it may take 15 minutes. If you have to find the right tools, it can take several hours. Remember to check your fluid level when done.

[jmorrow]

I changed my rear pads at 41,000 mile. The pads still had at least another 8,000-10,000 mile but I changed them anyway. the front pads still look very good at 46,000.

[rlfaubion]

Rears were gone at 24K miles. I'm looking at the fronts this week when I'll change the front tire.

[moenko]

Wow, wonder what the previous owner did but the rears are almost shot at 10k miles

Does anyone have a good source for buying OEM pads?

Thanks,
Carsten

[dogdoc]

Dang Jim thats excellent mileage compared to most,,,

[moenko]

The mileage does not really tell the whole story; some may commute and hit the brakes frequently and will only get a relatively short life out of the pads, while others ride mainly long distance; just like a cage.