Rear OEM Brake Pads Toast After 13,000KM

[Tank]

Hey Lads,
Took my 2014 R3T in for an oil change today. I also wanted the stealership to check my brakes. I was starting to feel what felt like brake fade.

Turns out my pads where down to 20% life after 13,000km. Is that a little premature or somewhat normal?

They've also told me the stock tires (metzler marathons) are almost done too. I knew the tires would go after about 15-17k but im a little suprised with the brake wear.

Thanks for your input.

 

[forklift]

Hard to say if premature wear when one doesn't know your braking technique. When working for a cycle dealership long ago we had so called expert rider instructors from BMW come give the shop employees riding safety tips and lessons. We were told the rear brake is for keeping the rear end of the bike under control while using the front brakes to actually stop the bike. As I drive around I see countless riders tendency of locking up the rear brake when making stops. On the other hand there have been a few riders on this forum that had complained of the rear brake actually dragging some and discoloring the rear disc.

 

[Tank]

Hard to say if premature wear when one doesn't know your braking technique. When working for a cycle dealership long ago we had so called expert rider instructors from BMW come give the shop employees riding safety tips and lessons. We were told the rear brake is for keeping the rear end of the bike under control while using the front brakes to actually stop the bike. As I drive around I see countless riders tendency of locking up the rear brake when making stops. On the other hand there have been a few riders on this forum that had complained of the rear brake actually dragging some and discoloring the rear disc.

I'm far from an expert but i consider myself a good, confident rider. I've never locked up the rear brake while stopping. Its just concerning when the front brake is above half life and the rear is finished.

I'm hopeful its just the OEM pads are a little quicker to wear.

 

[Fingers]

I just replaced my rear pads at 23500 miles don't know if this helps.

 

[scot in exile]

Each person is different and the BMW so called expert is talking through a hole in his arse, what you will find is that the people getting into the 20000 before replacing brake pads are usually engine brakers, engine braking has its use in the hills but around town no no no use both brakes together always.
What we teach our students.
Front
And
Rear
Together
another way to remember FART.

 

[Tank]

Each person is different and the BMW so called expert is talking through a hole in his arse, what you will find is that the people getting into the 20000 before replacing brake pads are usually engine brakers, engine braking has its use in the hills but around town no no no use both brakes together always.
What we teach our students.
Front
And
Rear
Together
another way to remember FART.

Right ok, im guessing my recent trip to Tennessee and the multiple (as in 15plus) runs i had along the tail of the dragon and parkway have caused the premature departure of my rear pads.

Rode down from Canada put on 8,000km in 9 days.

 

[forklift]

Each person is different and the BMW so called expert is talking through a hole in his arse, what you will find is that the people getting into the 20000 before replacing brake pads are usually engine brakers, engine braking has its use in the hills but around town no no no use both brakes together always.
What we teach our students.
Front
And
Rear
Together
another way to remember FART.

I had never heard of the BMW rider before but I remember there was something special about him so I called an old friend of mine that used to own the dealership where we worked and the guys name was Hubert Auriol and I think at the time he was the only one that ever won the Paris to Dakar race both on a motorcycle and a car and happen to be in town because it was the first year of Dallas Gran Prix. Not to start an argument but I feel what he meant by using it to control the rear of the motorcycle was because as they say about 70 percent of your braking is on your front wheel and you're trying to keep the rear end of the motorcycle from going out of control I kinda believe he knew what he was talking about.

 

[Evil Mitch]

Yeah I don't get anywhere near that out of mine but I also replace them a little earlier than I have to . They are cheap enough and take about 2 mins to replace

 

[forklift]

Each person is different and the BMW so called expert is talking through a hole in his arse, what you will find is that the people getting into the 20000 before replacing brake pads are usually engine brakers, engine braking has its use in the hills but around town no no no use both brakes together always.
What we teach our students.
Front
And
Rear
Together
another way to remember FART.

I had never heard of the BMW rider before but I remember there was something special about him so I called an old friend of mine that used to own the dealership where we worked and the guys name was Hubert Auriol and I think at the time he was the only one that ever won the Paris to Dakar race both on a motorcycle and a car and happen to be in town because it was the first year of Dallas Gran Prix. Not to start an argument but I feel what he meant by using it to control the rear of the motorcycle was because as they say about 70 percent of your braking is on your front wheel and you're trying to keep the rear end of the motorcycle from going out of control I kinda believe he knew what he was talking about.

 

[scot in exile]

Paris to Dakar my hat comes off for the gentleman for that is one tough off road race, but as dirt bike riders know you use your rear brake on soft loose ground a bit different from street riding, I apologize for my choice of words but guys you have to use the front and rear together all the time it build's up your muscle memory so when the s**t hits the fan your muscle memory takes over and even if using the rear brake only stops you five feet sooner that five feet could save your life.
On the Rocket I would say we have 85% front to 15%rear now most high power sports bikes can be as much as 95%front to 5% rear