just wondering what brand everyone is using for brake pads.
my front one will need replacing before the end of the year
and i dont want to pay $200 for the HD pads from the st/dealer.

cheers
crackers

I saw EBC's for around $40.00 Which to me is still a rip off.

Look around in line at the aftermarket vendors like dennis kirk or JP cycles

I use HD pads.
They do last longer than aftermarket pads with the exception of some of the race pads.
The problem with the race pads they WILL damage your rotors and then you would have a larger expense.
I pay around $60 for the pads.
IMO it is worth it.
You might want to check on shipping from the US to you by one of the XL Forum members.
It probably be cheaper than $200.

I just checked UPS and shipping from Arizona, USA to Tasmania would be around $95.
If this is something you would want to do just PM me and we could try to get these to you.
Where I work we have daily p/u for UPS.
I can also get the exact price from HD for your pads.

The thing about aftermarket pads you need to know if the stock rotors are designed for sintered pads or not (I believe that's the amount of metallic contact).

Basically it comes down to this, a pad that is too hard may stop better but if the rotor isn't equally up to the task you're gonna cook it.

Frankly I've always used Ferrodo's or EBCs on my Harleys, BMWs and now my Moto Guzzi...

I usually pay $30-40 for a set of pads.

And frankly, that's cheap enough to me that I "stock them"

I buy sets and keep em in my parts locker in the shop (along with pretty much all other basic maintenance items, gaskets, O-rings, filters and fluids).

If you have to ship something overseas to get your hands on this kinda stuff, I would think it would be to your advantage to get a package together which includes all of this stuff and keep it on hand. Just pay the shipping charge once.

Kev

Crackers,
Can ya get a deal on Ferodo brakes down there (good stuff). About $40.00 US a set here. I'm pretty sure they are manufactured in Europe. The 04 brake parts cost more here also compared to earlier models. Aren't Nissan brakes (04 H-D sportsters) Japanese. Stock stuff on Honda's for years. Aren't you closer to Japan. Would think the parts would be less. I would think someone down that way makes decent priced stuff though. Plenty of good quality brake pad and rotor manufacturers out there. I find the H-D stuff I use is pretty hard, and wears the rotors pretty quick. All the H-D pads I've seen are metallic. I prefer organic pads myself unless racing. We only use genuine H-D pads when the price is right.
Ride to Live!

Crackers,
Nissan brakes (04 H-D sportsters) Japanese.

Good point... but isn't it NISSIN - different company from NissAn

k

I know it depends on how you use the brakes, but about how many miles should you expect from the original pads that come with the bike.

Thanks,

Fred

I have been running SBS Sintered Street Excel pads on my 2000 for years. They are AWESOME. They have not caused a bit of problem with the rotors. Here is the link to their website. http://www.sbs.dk/ and here is the part number for the pads you'll need. They should be replaced in pairs (front and rear at the same time because of the differnet compounds).
SBS# 807HS on the front and SBS# 808LS on the rear.

Don't want to highjack this thread ... But, what's the average life expectancy for a set of stock front pads? .... I would think the rears last much longer.