Rear pads gone at 7kmi?!?

[HellFire]

I just noticed a change in grating noise from the rear brakes and looked to find the pads are shot already. Hell, I have less than 7,000 miles on the bike since new in July 08. I'm not your typical slow cruise sort, but seven thousand miles ... doesn't sound right. I've had bikes since I was 5 and NEVER had to replace a pad or shoe on any of them. I even down shift and use the engine for most of my slowing for planned stops.
Is this normal for a Rocket? You guys go through rear pads like this? I am a bit heavier on the rear with this bike since it dives so badly when using the front alone, but I wouldn't say I use the rear excessivly. What do you think ... do I have some kind of defective part, pad or me?

 

[Sidecar Flip]

You sort of answered your own question. You use the rear brake more because the front end dives. The bike weighs roughly 750 pounds. Add fuel, oil and your weight and you have 1000 pounds, all stopping on 2 rear pads measuring about 1 x 1.5" x 4 and the same on the front x 8.

That's a lot of stopping and the bike has a high GCVW so pad wear can be accelerated when relying on just one brake for the majority of stopping friction.

In actuality, the front should be doing 70% of the braking and the rear 30%. if you have fork dive, you need to go to a heavier fork oil and/or a set of Wilburs or Progressive springs.

Rule of thumb is you check your pads regularly. They are easy to see, just look in there. If you wore the pads to the backers and just realized they were 'shot' because of the sound difference, there is a good chance you need to replace the rotor as well as the pads. The Triumph rotor is basically unturnable. There isn't enough 'meat' on the rotor for a re-surface...

When you check the price of the rotor, you'll be checking the pads more often.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

You don't want to know how far I rode between brake pad changes.. I am sort of ashamed of myself, but surprisingly, when I changed them out.. There was still atleast SOME material left on the pads!

I first changed them all at about 12,000 miles.. and then I just recently changed them again at... 42,000 miles.. lol They were working fine.. just now got to squeaking a bit.. Now, to be fair, I ride a 70 mile round trip to work with very little stopping involved.. I also ride long distance at times, which also has very little stopping.. and I use engine braking and down shifts for almost all of my sportier riding..

 

[HellFire]

But 7,000 miles? I looked at the fronts and they are almost gone too. There's meat left on the rear (not much), the tone just changed and I notice **** like that. Hell, who inspects their brakes before the 1st oil change? I hope pads are cheap.
Got any leads on ordering parts ... aftermarket performance and OEM?

 

[snuffcityrider]

I just changed mine at 24,000 and they still had meat on them. But I live in the country. Not much stop and go...mostly go

 

[britman]

HF,

I changed my first set at about the same mileage. To be honest the stock pads don't have allot of meat on them even when new. Here is a shot of the set I pulled, they were worn but still had wear line indicators.

 

[HellFire]

Yep, thats exactly what mine look like. They sure are easy to change, you can replace them with your fingers.

 

[azbbqer]

Ordered mine a few days ago! I'm at 6200 miles and have about 10-15% left. I ride mostly in the city. And I DO use my front brakes for about 80% of my braking.

 

[budman]

..****, I had to go out and check mine now that ya mentioned it..at 6,100 miles..still got plenty a meat left on the front..was kinda surprised to see the back is wearing faster, but then again it's two vrs. one on the rotors too, and I do use the 70% front braking method also, at least I think I do..I'll probably get a few more miles before changing them out..but I'm gonna order some anyhow, just to be ready when the time comes..hey flip, i'm placing an order....

 

[Sidecar Flip]

..****, I had to go out and check mine now that ya mentioned it..at 6,100 miles..still got plenty a meat left on the front..was kinda surprised to see the back is wearing faster, but then again it's two vrs. one on the rotors too, and I do use the 70% front braking method also, at least I think I do..I'll probably get a few more miles before changing them out..but I'm gonna order some anyhow, just to be ready when the time comes..hey flip, i'm placing an order....

Hey Budman, they are on the way........