sintered brake pads

[talkinboutshaft]

Hey friends!
I have searched the threads in technical, and haven't found a definitive answer to the question: is it ok to use sintered pads on the front? I have a late model gs 850 with the slotted rotors and larger (not round) pads. Thanks for your experience and advice!
Jeb

[salty_monk]

They don't really mix well with the stainless rotors we have in my opinion (they chew them up) but they do work...

[bwringer]

Didn't know anyone made sintered pads for the GS. Can you tell us where you're getting these?

[Nessism]

Didn't know anyone made sintered pads for the GS. Can you tell us where you're getting these?

You can find them on ebay, although they tend to be no-name brands.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-GS1000-GS-1000-78-79-Rear-Brake-Pads-FA36-/120531941628?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c104378fc

My understanding is that they will tear up our rotors, which are softer stainless than some other rotors.

[Calvin Blackmore]

Didn't know anyone made sintered pads for the GS. Can you tell us where you're getting these?

I thought the front pads on my bike were sintered.
maybe thery are just some mettalic compound other than the magical sintered?

They look all full of metal bits though and seem to eat the ehck out of the rotors.

[Macguyver]

I thought the front pads on my bike were sintered.
maybe thery are just some mettalic compound other than the magical sintered?

They look all full of metal bits though and seem to eat the ehck out of the rotors.

Yeah, they're likely either sintered or semi-metallic then. I say this based more on the fact they are eating the rotors than the metal looking bits in it them though, since I have seen all 3 major pad materials have metal "flake" or "strand" looking bits in them.

EBC makes a good organic pad which doesn't eat away the rotors. From my ebay research when I bought new pads, the EBC organics were only a handful of dollars more per set than the no-name sintered pads. Well worth the investment since you won't need to worry about replacing chewed up rotors if you stick to organic pads (unless the rotor is chewed up from non-organic pads in the first place).

There are 3 types of pad material available for our machines:
Semi-metallic: long pad life, but damage rotors during use, great "grip", decent price
Sintered: decent pad life, but damage rotors during use, decent "grip", cheap price
Organic: short(er) pad life, non-damaging to the rotors, decent "grip", decent price

If you are in it for the long run, rotors should only get organic pads on them to maximize their lifespan. If cost is a major concern, same deal since it will cost less on a regular basis to replace just the pads, rather than replacing pads and rotors. If your rotors are chewed up, and can be machined and remain within the service limit, go for it. Your bike will love you for it, and new pads will last longer if you stay with organic material pads.

[twr1776]

I am pretty sure the Vesrah 306 & 322 are what you need. Per thier website Versrah makes two types. Sintered (JL suffix), Semi-Metallic (SD prefix). They show the Organic (No prefix or suffix), but for some reason do not list them as available. I have been using the organic type and they seem to work pretty well and also seem to be good on the rotors. I ordered some from a local shop through Parts Unlimited and they came in as the organics per the website listing which is what I wanted.

You will find lots of opinions on brake pads here.

http://www.vesrah.com/

[talkinboutshaft]

sintered pads

I got the sintered pads from Bike Bandit! Anyway, thanks for all the input. I'm going to try the sintered ones and come what may, rotor wear and all. The need to stop immediately in nasty 80 mph traffic is a priority where I ride (the dreaded 91 fwy!) so I'll keep you updated. Cheers!