Which front brake pads?

I've got K1 GSXR calipers on it. Standard ok or should I go for something better? If you've got a link to a good online shop that would be good too. Are they hard to fit?

[northwind]

Dead easy with those calipers, you get a screw-in pad pin unlike the SV so they're not problematic for siezing up. I use Carbon Lorraine A3+ with mine- lovely pads, they're not as strong as a fast road pad but tbh you don't need it with these brakes- the GSXR calipers have more than enough power for most people on the road, so I trade brute force for feel and usability. The first touch is superb, there's no trace of grab or steps in teh braking at all. They do fade on track, though, definately a road pad.

The OE are good too, but expensive... Armstrong are cheap but don't last at all well, I ate a set in 3000 miles!

to be honest, ive always found that OEM pads are better on my particular bike.

EBC

[northwind]

The EBC HH for those calipers have a bit of a rep for falling to bits (friction material drops off pad back). Don't know if it still happens but it was a common gripe for a while.

[Spanner Man]

Afternoon all.
Carbon Lorraine A3's are an excellent road pad as stated. I've used EBC pads since they became available in the 70's (Gawd I'm old).
I'm a big fan of their HH pads, & have never had one delaminate out of the thousands I've supplied, but I did hear a rumour that there was a dodgy batch made a while back.
If any of you ever have a problem with EBC pads send them back to EBC. Andy Freeman who owns EBC is always willing to listen to any complaint, & he genuinely appreciates feedback from users of his products.

Cheers.

Do some pads screw up the discs though? And what's all this 'sintered' malarkey?

I've always gone for OEM pads, they do the job fine.

[northwind]

Good to hear that Spannerman, I always used EBC HH with the SV parts but I found there's just no need with the better stuff

They do wear discs a bit faster than most I think... They compare in power, more or less, with Carbon Lorraine SBK3 IMO and those definately seem kinder on steel discs.

OEM pads almost always work well, but then they tend to cost.

[Spanner Man]

Afternoon all.
Hooligan old boy, sintered pads contain sintered metal, usually an alloy of a multitude of base metals such as; copper & iron. This enables the pad to reach working temperature more quickly due to increased friction, & being very metallic the pad will dissipate the heat more quickly too, therefore maintaining a more even temperature when used to the extreme.

Sintering is a process whereby metal is in effect reduced to a powder & reformed using heat & pressure, this enables a 'right old mix' to be produced, and the metals can be ground into different sized grains to create a desired effect, friction versus wear etc. Fascinating subject! (How big is my anorak?)

High friction pads do tend to wear the discs at a slightly greater rate, not so much in themselves, but due to it being extremely difficult not to use any of the extra braking power that they give you. Hence more wear for a given mileage.

O/E pads are usually sintered to a degree, though not to the level of HH pads, & do tend to give you good all round braking. The disadvantage, as Northwind has pointed out is usually cost.



Cheers.

ebc+1 always been good and dont wear out too quick or fall apart