Best Brake Pads for Harley Davidson Touring

If you’re planning to go on a Harley Davidson tour, some safety measures are in order. One important aspect of it is your bike’s brake pads. It is easily overlooked by many riders but without these, you may very well be tempting fate. Not all brake pads are made equal.

There are so many products available in the market that it will make you reel from confusion and indecision. Every product is made with its own unique blend of ingredients and it is important to understand what it means for you and your bike.

In this article, we take a look at the top four brake pads for Harley Davidson Touring and show how each one could be beneficial depending on your needs.

Furthermore, I have also included a buyer’s guide and answers to commonly asked questions to highlight the things that you ought to be on the lookout for when getting yourself a braking pad.

After reading this review you will have sufficient knowledge as to which braking pad to choose and ensure that the safety of your bike is in order so you won’t have to worry about it and have a fulfilling touring experience.

EBC models brakes that are a complete fit for Harley Davidson bikes, especially the FLHX Street Glide. The pack contains two models, one for the front brake and another for the rear. This brand remains a market leader in the manufacturing of brake pads and you can never go wrong with them.

Performance and Safety

These brake pads are custom designed to deliver high performance and safety while on the roads. It is also tested and well-rated by agencies such as the TUV so we have no issue with them regarding safety. They are able to perform in all weather conditions – wet or dry – and have long lives that will last you for many a mile. These also have more stopping power than usual sintered models.

Build

Manufactured in the factories of Ohio, these brake pads are unique in the sense that they offer ultra-high friction. Additionally, they are manufactured from quality materials and there is hardly a product available in the market that can beat these Double-H sintered brake pads. They are thinner than the factory fitted Harley brake pads because they are not organic but provide excellent braking efficiency.

Value

Though this product may not be the cheapest one in the market, it sure does ensure that you get the best possible performance out of your bike. Additionally, since they are built from sintered material, they ensure that you do not have to shop for extra braking pads for the “rainy days”.

This product alone will take care of your needs for at least 35,000 miles. We would highly recommend these brake pads for your Harley Davidson Street Glide models for their high build quality and performance.

The Zinger Auto Parts company is well known for its durability and performance and is sworn by thousands of happy customers.

Fittings

Zinger manufactures brake pads for many different Harley Davidson models. This includes Street Glide, Road King, Electra Glide, Road Glide, Street Road, Night Rod, and many more editions. Since these pads are developed for such a vast majority of models, you can be sure that these brake pads are going to come in handy on long tours.

Build

These sintered metal brake pads far exceed the OEM quality. Riders will benefit from the Double-H rating since it provides efficient braking. Their build also ensures high-temperature resistance which is perfect for the changing seasons.

Performance

These brake pads provide amazing braking performance and are quite tough. Their performance is most notable in poor riding conditions such as muddy and rocky terrain and sandy creeks. This ensures that you get optimum braking performance even when you are off the road.

Value

These brake pads are available at a fairly reasonable price which beats some of the ultra-expensive products found in the market that offer the same performance. You also get an additional front brake pad in this set for ‘rainy day’. These may make some squeaking noise but riders who aren’t concerned about the noise and are simply happy with the additional braking power will do good to get these. I would recommend this product for riders since it is compatible with many models and offers unparalleled performance. The best part about this package is the overall value that you get for your money.

Next up, we have a scintillating product by Foreverun Motor. These braking pads are of exceptional quality and the package contains 3 sets that are enough to replace both the front and the rear calipers.

Build

These sintered braking pads are developed from alloys of copper and brass. This is done by compressing them at very high temperatures. This ensures that the product has a healthier resistance to fading and can last much longer than standard braking pads.

Performance

The braking pads provide amazing performance even in extreme riding conditions such as muddy and rocky terrain. They are quite pressure-sensitive and strong and also provide high friction even in wet weather. The braking response is quite predictable which will allow you to ease into them in no time. They provide steady braking every time and also are quite quiet which is a major plus point.

Fitting

The sintered brake pads are compatible with all Road Glide models that came out from 2000 through to 2007, including the Dyna and the Touring series. This ensures that a majority of the Harley Davidson riders that own different models are catered for and can easily replace their stock pads with these brand new ones.
This product is well respected throughout the biker community for its high performance which is possible mainly because of its unique build. Those who own Harley Davidson touring series will be delighted by these braking pads.

If you are looking to braking pads but do not want to burn a hole in your pocket, then these carbon fiber braking pads are ideal for you. This product by ECCPP is excellent for Harley Davidson bikes.

Build

As the name suggests, these are made of high-quality Kevlar-carbon material. Since they are an organic type, they protect the gloss of your ride’s brake disc and are amazing for polished rotors. Though organic pads, in general, are not known for being the most durable, these utilize a combination of high-strength fibers that successfully reinforce the friction material.

Performance

The braking performance that you get out of these braking pads is quite predictable that is supplemented with great fingertip control. You will get sufficient feedback when they are engaged. Its unique build enhances thermal stability and provides an unmatched sturdiness, and also reduces disc abrasion. You will also notice that using these braking pads will reduce the squeaking noise that is generally a problem with metallic formulas.

Fitting

This pack contains 3 sets of braking pads, two of which are for front brakes while the other one is for the rear. These pads are compatible with many most Harley Davidson models, including Road Glide, Road King, Street Glide, Street Road, and V-Rod models.

Pricing

This product is the cheapest that you will find in the market that contains 3 sets of braking pads. At the same time, there is no compromise regarding the performance since it utilizes a carbon fiber build. This product comes highly recommended by a vast Harley Davidson biker population. This is because these Kevlar brake pads are a step above the standard semi-metallic pads and are also offered at the best possible price.

Brake Pads for Harley Davidson Touring – Buyer’s Guide/FAQs

Now that we have reviewed the top brake pads for Harley Davidson touring, let’s take a look at few essential components that you should know about when going about choosing the one that is ideal for your ride. In this section, we shall also be answering a few commonly asked questions that have plagued riders for generations.

What are the best types of brake pads for a motorcycle?

Brake pads are made of several different materials and the type that you get for your motorcycle should depend on your needs.

For instance, sintered metallic brake pads are made of particles that are fused using heat and pressure. They are quite durable and don’t get “brake fade”. They well in both wet and dry conditions and do not produce much dust. If you are riding in a city, these brakes are ideal since they bring the bike to a halt smoothly and quietly.

Other than sintered pads, some are made of nonmetallic or organic materials. They may not be as hard as their sintered counterparts and can create a lot of dust. Some of these include Kevlar organic, carbon organic, and semi-metallic pads. Kevlar pads are quite durable and provide great braking power.

Carbon organic braking pads are made from the mixing of carbon with other organic metals and tend to generate relatively little heat. However, they do not last as long as other brake pad types.

Finally, we have semi-metallic braking pads. These have a small measure of metal in them and are excellent for heat transfer though they are liable to produce much more dust and noise.

Some braking pads are also made of ceramic fibers mixed with non-ferrous metals, which are bonded together at high temperatures. These braking pads are very lightweight and versatile, which suits different driving conditions. They are much better at dissipating heat and are known to limit the amount of dust that they put out. These brakes also allow the rotor to last longer than usual. Additionally, these braking pads do not make a lot of noise either.

Are Harley Brake Pads sintered?

Yes, most Harley Davidson brake pads are sintered since these provide the best braking performance. Since these bikes are like iron horses, a durable material is required to ensure that the brakes do not fade and continue to provide optimum performance in all weather and terrain conditions. However, these are harder on the rotors and can wear them out quickly. Therefore, if you are going to take your ride on rough terrain then you may want to replace them in time.

How do I know if my motorcycle brake pads are worn?

Every time you brake, there is a small amount of wear and tear that occurs on the braking pads. Over time this adds up and the pads become thinner and need to be replaced. If this issue isn’t sorted in a timely manner, then other elements can begin to wear away, such as rotors, discs, and calipers.

There are many ways to check if the brake pads of your motorcycle are worn out. The first indication is a screeching or a squeaking sound every time you engage the brake. If you hear it regularly, then it is high time to replace them.

However, if the brakes are exposed to wet conditions, such as after rain, a layer of dust can accumulate on the brake pads and cause a similar screeching sound. If it disappears after some time then it means that it was simply a bit of built-up rust and the brake pads don’t necessarily have to be replaced.

You can also visually inspect the brake pads for wear. Look through the spokes of the tire and you will find the brake pads compressed against the rotor. If it is less than 1/4 th of an inch thick, then replacement is long overdue. Generally, most brands will also have a “wear indicator” on the braking pads themselves. It is a groove that is molded into the surface. If you find that the pads have worn way past the groove then it is time for a replacement.

Another indication is the deep metallic grinding upon braking. This means that the brake discs and calipers are in contact. This metal on metal contact can cause further damage to the braking system and needs to be sorted fast.

Finally, there are some motorcycles that have an indicator light on the dashboard that reminds you when it is time to replace the brake pads. Check out the user manual to know if your motorcycle comes with this technology.

How long do motorcycle brake pads last?

Most motorcycle brake pads can last anywhere from 30,000 to 35,000 miles. But the real answer would depend on the type of vehicle you have, the terrain that you ride in, and the type of braking pads that are in place.

For instance, if you ride in a city, you are engaging the brake pads much more frequently than someone who drives on highways or in villages. Some people even “ride the brakes” which means that they press the brakes habitually and cause faster wear and tear of the braking pads.

How can you tell if rotors need to be replaced?

Motorcycle rotors usually last quite a long time and most people usually forget about them. They usually tend to last for 50,000 to 70,000 miles. However, like most parts, they too need to be replaced.

A stock motor starts at 1.8mm thick and needs to be replaced if the braking surface gets reduced to 1.5mm. A minimum thickness is required by different brands the information for which is provided on the rotor itself. But there are other ways to tell if the rotor needs replacement.

For instance, if a small step is developed between the rotor and its braking system, it is an indicator that should not be overlooked. Rotors can also get bent if they have gone through extreme temperatures or if too much pressure is applied. This can be caused by an accident or if you rest something against the rotor.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article you have sufficient information in order to purchase the ideal brake pads for your motorcycles. Do check out the four products that we have reviewed and decide which one would be compatible with your bike and needs. Until next time, ride on!