Brake Pads

[Ravyn]

I will be replacing the brake pads in my 1994 gl 1500 and I was wondering if any of you have ever used any of the pads that are listed on Amazon ? I have always used oem pads in the past but Amazon sure has a lot of them. I do not like the EBC pads.

[MikeB]

In my experience, there is no better stopping power with a minimum of rotor wear than using the OEM pads.

I've used EBC and a couple of other off brand pads. The EBC wears twice as fast as the OEM pads. Other off market pads I've tried wore longer than EBC but the rotors wore quickly too. I've gotten the best service from OEM.

[Ravyn]

In my experience, there is no better stopping power with a minimum of rotor wear than using the OEM pads.

I've used EBC and a couple of other off brand pads. The EBC wears twice as fast as the OEM pads. Other off market pads I've tried wore longer than EBC but the rotors wore quickly too. I've gotten the best service from OEM.

Thanks Mike. I think like you. I have always used oem parts but I thought I'd see what else is out there and I was amazed to see so many different kinds. For the few dollars saved it is not worth taking a chance on some cheaper brake pads. I tried some EBC pads a while bake and hated the way the stopped with them. I took them out and threw them away and went back to oem

[minimac]

I've found that the EBC pads create a horrendous amount of brake dust, as do most of the lower priced options. The sinstered pads take a while to break in and while they do provide a bit more stopping power, they are very hard on (wearwise) the rotors-not an inexpensive item to replace. Even though O.E.M. pads might cost more, when everything is considered, they are your best bet.

[Ravyn]

I've found that the EBC pads create a horrendous amount of brake dust, as do most of the lower priced options. The sinstered pads take a while to break in and while they do provide a bit more stopping power, they are very hard on (wearwise) the rotors-not an inexpensive item to replace. Even though O.E.M. pads might cost more, when everything is considered, they are your best bet.

Yup, I agree minimac. I was just wondering if anyone tried any of those other brands and what kind of luck they had with them.

[Ed Brock]

I see most people are trying the EBC brand of brake pads. I have no experience with any brake pads on Goldwing's.
I do have a lot of experience with Suzuki's GS's, Bandit's and Cavalcade's as well as other manufactures brands.
I have found, like others, the OEM pads create little or almost no dust. I have also tried various styles of EBC pads. I hate them. They take a long time to break in and stopping power, for my taste, has been poor. I know brake pads are very personal, like tires or ?. Some like only brand X, while others think Brand X are the worst thing on the plant.
I personally have found the DP HH's are great. I have found rotor wear is not noticeable. That said, the people I have installed the DP HH's have loved their stopping power and lack of dust and no noticeable rotor wear. I will keep using the DP pads.
When it's time for pads on my 98 1500 SE I will try the DP's and see what I think about them on my wing. I hope for the same results as the other bikes I have installed them on.
I need to mention that almost all of the people I have put DP's on their bike are not aggressive on their brakes. But they do want their bike to stop hard when they practice hard braking or in "I got to stop NOW" situations. AND they do yearly brake fluid changes.
I let you draw your our conclusions to this matter. Good luck.
Ed

[CrystalPistol]

Tried others on both my 1200 I had for 24 years and the 1500 trike I've had since 2004, OEM Honda is by far the best for wear, grab, and rotor wear and OEM don't blue the rotors.

[TwoTone Trike]

Do yourself a favor and spend the extra bucks and go with the OEM.

[tsandvik]

Have tried others over the years and always end up going right back to the OEM.
Life is to short to scrimp on stopping power.

[Ed Brock]

Thanks for everyone's information. I like this site. You people know your Goldwing's, It's great to have knowable people to get information from. I have talked to other winger and they say the same as you are suggesting, use OEM pads.
Ed.