Brake Pads, recommends please

Thanks to the Motorcycle Centre in Stockport[1] the 955 had a service
and seemed quite happy on the way home. However, they did point out I
need a new rear tyre and some front pads.

I'm pretty much decided on some 014s (010s were on when I got it and
were as usual, and the avons are ok but they do seem to have tailed off
sharply now they're near the limits[2]).

So, that leaves me with what brake pad? Nissins are the OEM
apparently, though matey at MC can get C-Lorraine or EBC as well. I
want something that will stand up to a fair bit of abuse and performs
well, longevity would be nice but isn't a priority.

[1] The parts chap was very pleasant - talked to me in between
customers for a few hours while I waited and sent one of his lads out
to get lunch for me. The man who I assume was sales made sure I was
being seen to and knew why I was there as soon as I walked in. Seemed
pretty together all round.
[2] whether this is post-off wussing by me or it really is the tyres I
wouldn't like to say. It's more likely the former as some corners feel
fine whereas others don't.

 

Mr Bonwick and I favour EBC's, I think Lozzo and Ben sales get on well
with C-L's.. both will be better than OEM I'd have thought.

 

The CLs were ok but I think I preferred EBC HHs in the 750. Feck
knows what's in the Thou, probably the standard ones, although with
braided hoses they're fine.

 

Ginge says...

I have mixed opinions of CL pads. I loved the SBK3s I stuck in the
ZZR1100, but the A+3s I put in the 9R didn't make that much of an
impression on me even when the brakes were working fine. They just felt
like normal brake pads, not outstanding like the SBK3s had been.

Tbh, the OEM Nissin pads are fantastic when fitted to stuff like Blades
etc, in the same way that genuine Yamaha/Sumitomo pads are the best
ones for R1s and R6s. I think Chris' Triumph has the same calipers as
some Blades, so the same may be the case.

 

You can't often go wrong on HH's Christo and they were great in my T595.
The 014's I found really nice BTW, grip W&D and handling

The Gixxer Thou Loz has is using EBC race pads in the AP callipers.
MOTHERFUCKER

'Hog

 

I want to enjoy the bike and be confident on it when me and it head
west a bit in a few weeks time.

I recall those brakes. Mmm. I'm not looking for that kind of thing,
just something the same as now or slightly better on the stopping side
of things. The EBC HH's we're good on the SV, but I wouldn't say they
were spanking. On the other hand, I don't recall thinking about them
much, so they wasn't a cause for concern. I'll mull it over tomorrow
morning and order them at lunch.

 

Christofire says...

Why not? They are like hitting a brick wall when you use 2 fingers. I'm
having to learn how braking works all over again. So far I've sussed
that the only time you need two fingers on the lever is when you have
to slow down suddenly from 100plus speeds. For the rest of the time one
finger is all that's required. You can stoppie the bike with one finger
braking, that's how good they are.

 

The SS got some Carbone Lorraine ones in it, as I managed to
get a set of brand news pads for £16 off eBay - that's two
pairs! They felt superb on the track with very little bedding
in required (basically I forgot...) and gave good feel. In
fact they're probably better than the Brembo ones that are
in the 748 so I may switch to them for that too.

There are lots of good reports about Performance Friction pads,
but they are horribly expensive - around £35 per caliper. I don't
know whether these are suitable for the road though, as there
are different compounds, so you may want to look into it.
I know Moto2 sell them:
http://www.moto2.co.uk/acatalog/Performance_Friction_Brakes.html

Other than that, OEM Nissin stuff shouldn't be pretty good as
most manufacturers spend a lot of time matching disks and pads
so chucking in stuff like EBC (which I've never really found
to be any good) can sometimes make them worse.

 

I don't want to spend time and money doing this bike up. I want to
leave this one as standard / Triumph as possible. If I want all out
performance I'd choose sopmething lighter than the 955. Maybe on the
next one, but the way this one rides it feels like brakes like that
would overwhelm the suspension somewhat. I'm quite happy with the two
finger power I have now as it helps me ride smoothly. It works for me.

 

How far West?

You were telling me at BOSM about someone who needed connectivity in NI?
contact <stewart at bytel dot net dot uk> if I can help

'Hog

 

I've got a T595, so the brakes should be identical to your 955. The OE
Nissins are very very hard to beat, but are pricey from main dealers
at nearly £40 a side. There is a high feedback ebay seller who has
genuine ones for sale quite often. Sprint Manufacturing seem to sell
Nissin ones @£25 a caliper. I think the Nissin part# is 2P253 if you
can find a stockist.

I'm now using C-L A3+ and they work very well. Similar to OE for feel,
but I haven't really hammered them on trackdays so much, so not so
sure about ultimate stopping power. Didn't like EBC as they felt
wooden, and as they ate the discs on my commuter bike, I swapped them
before it got expensive.

One of the T595 forum members seems to work for C-L and claims that
the new SBK5 pads were in part developed using a 955i for testing.

 

The EBC HH pad does seem to be quite hard on disks, agreed

'Hog

 

IOM. Not quite far enough.

I've made enquiries but their stuff is managed by a parent company and
out of his hands. I passed the details on anyway for what good it'll
do.