Okay, this is my third bike but the first that has needed brakes (first one was brand new and second one had just gotten a brake job from prev. owner). I don't do track days, drag racing etc. Mostly commuting, cruising and some high speed hijinxs but I'm no hooligan or stunter.

Any particular front pads I should look for or stay away from? And all pads are sold per caliper so I'll need two sets, right?

Is this something I can do by myself? The rotors look OK. Does the wheel have to come off? I can do a front brake job on an automobile...

Thanks.

 

Easy to do. Should take only about 15 minutes.

EBC HH pads are excellent. I've been using them for some time.

No, the wheels don't have to come off. Yes you need 2 sets. One for each caliper. Since you are changing pads, you should look at the fluid. If it is dark, change it. That will take a little longer. Who knows when the previous owner did. If you can do car brakes, then this is no problem.

 

Thanks for the info. My local Kawi friend also recommended the HH pads. The brake fluid was changed recently so that's OK. I'll check with the local shops tomorrow and if all else fails I found some HH's online for about 31/pr + shipping.

 

If the fluid was changed when the pads were pretty worn then watch out when you push the pistons in to install new pads. Could overflow the reservior.
Of course remember to pump the lever when everything is back together, otherwise you won't have any brakes.
I've always been told to bed in the new pads to the rotor by doing 20 stops from 20 mph. Take you a couple minutes, then you should have full stopping power.

 

Thanks everyone but it was a false alarm. When I got to the bike shop, I looked at the HH's, then went outside and looked at my front brakes and I've easily got prolly 75% of pad left (I guess I'm too used to looking at thick-*** brakes on automobiles lol)...but I'll remember all this for next time.

 

Take 'em apart and put 'em back together just for fun!