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Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:08 pm
by BikerBill21
Hi All,
Ok, have 2022 RT, just done 11500 miles from new. Just checked rear pads, they are down to the metal and have started to wear into the disc. Already I thought, and that far gone?
Front are about 50% gone, I expected rear to be around the same. Yes perhaps I should have spotted it before it got that bad, but with weekly walk around I just check the front and the rear is usually not far off the same on all bikes I’ve had previously

Is this normal? Or is there an issue that the dealer needs to sort. I’ve had many bikes over the years but never come across this.

Dealer will be getting a call on the 2nd, when they open after Christmas, but thought I’d ask here.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:20 pm
by sakm
Yes the rears seem to wear down a lot faster than the fronts

I suspect there is more rear biased braking with the linked braking system

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2022 5:48 pm
by David.
BikerBill21 wrote: Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:08 pmHave 2022 RT, just done 11,500 miles from new. Just checked rear pads, they are down to the metal. Is this normal.
You've done well, Tony had 3 sets of rear pads in 10,000 miles, viewtopic.php?p=54046&hilit=rear+brake+pads#p54046

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 9:14 am
by David.
BikerBill21 wrote: Mon Dec 26, 2022 4:08 pmIs there an issue that the dealer needs to sort.
Boxflyer had to "replace a complete caliper/bracket unit to allow free movement". viewtopic.php?p=56401&hilit=sticking+rear#p56401

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:37 pm
by exportman
If both pads have worn a similar amount then there is not an issue, If one pad has warn much quicker than the other it is usually a sign the sliding pins are not moving freely and will need some attention.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:46 pm
by David.
On a Camhead, from new, the inside (nearest the wheel) pad is thinner than the outside pad.

These are partly worn but give an idea of the different thicknesses.

Image

Is this the same on a 1250 Shifthead.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 2:04 pm
by exportman
Hi

Not sure but I don't think so have a 16 1200 at the moment and both pads are the same, I got aroud 10K from the rear pads not changed the front yet.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 2:14 pm
by David.
1200 Wetheads & 1250 Shiftheads do seem heavy on rear brake pads. Got 36,500 miles out of the rears on my Camhead.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2022 3:36 pm
by 60Aviator
33,000 miles on my 21 RT. Front pads about half gone and rear just a little more than that. Something is off if down to the metal that soon unless you are not aware of dragging the rear brake. On the centerstand and rotating back wheel hear or feel anything? Dealer is best choice.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:35 am
by exportman
People will get different milage from their pads depending on the type of riding they are doing. A fair percentage of mine is urban commutes so lots of slow stop start, filtering etc. This tends to be heavier on the brakes than going on long trips down a motorway where you could travel 400 miles without touching a brake at all. Personally I don't think the op has an issue other than they need to pay a little more attention in future now they are aware of the rate of usage.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 12:16 pm
by David.
exportman wrote: Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:35 amPeople will get different mileage from their pads depending on the type of riding they are doing.
I agree, what might be an interesting correlation is tyre wear vs brake pad wear.

Typically, I get approx. 6K miles out of a rear tyre but at 36.5K miles, that's 6 times the distance out of the rear pads.

If you get 10K miles out of a pair of rear pads, what kind of rear tyre life are you getting.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:16 pm
by exportman
Tyre mileages for me seem to be pretty much the same depending on the tyre between 8-10K, Front could get longer but I tend to change them both together. I try to be smooth not aggressive.
I had similar milage from both brakes and tyres on other larger bikes. Previous to the RT had a 1050sprint GT was almost the same for tyres and brakes but also killed a chain set every 10-12k( with scott oiler) . I'm sticking to shaft drive for the foreseeable.

Hope to get more miles in this year, not commuting as much but hopefully will have more weekends to ride to compensate.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:09 pm
by Doctor T
David. wrote: Tue Dec 27, 2022 1:46 pm On a Camhead, from new, the inside (nearest the wheel) pad is thinner than the outside pad.

These are partly worn but give an idea of the different thicknesses.

Image

Is this the same on a 1250 Shifthead.
Do you know the reason for the different thicknesses? One looks part worn. My wife noticed this when i replaced mine.

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:11 pm
by Doctor T
exportman wrote: Tue Dec 27, 2022 2:04 pm Hi

Not sure but I don't think so have a 16 1200 at the moment and both pads are the same, I got aroud 10K from the rear pads not changed the front yet.
2007 RT rear pads are one thick and one thin. The thick one wears out quicker than the thin one

Re: Rear pads gone, completely…down to metal…

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:59 pm
by David.
Doctor T wrote: Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:09 pmDo you know the reason for the different thicknesses.
Sorry, no I can't help you with that one. I did wonder whether is had something to do with the wear indicators. On the thin (inner) OEM pad, there are holes in the back plate, through which, when the friction material is worn to the limit, the disc/rotor can be seen. The thick (outer) pad relies on the concentric rings on the slider pin. Unless, like me, you've changed it for a stainless steel pin.
Doctor T wrote: Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:11 pm2007 RT rear pads are one thick and one thin. The thick one wears out quicker than the thin one.
On my 2012 Camhead, have just checked the thicknesses of the rear pads which were replaced. In this case, the thick one was 3.5mm and the thin one 1.5-2.0mm. So, the differential from new remained the same. (Similar to that but not as much friction material as those in the above photo).