Brake pad Reviews - Galfer HH, EBC Green & Extreme Pro

[burning1]

Hello fellow racers / track day enthusiasts.

I've been spending a lot of time playing around with brake pads on my GS500 race bikes, which is a noticeably weak point on this bike when subjected to race use. With that in mind, I've spent some time looking for ways to improve the stock braking system. Here's some information on the products I've tried.

To start with, I'm using the stock GS500 master cylinder, with a Galfer OEM style Stainless Steel brake line. The rotors I'm running are stock; all of them have been pulled used off of street bikes. Originally I ran the OEM 1993 model year calliper (same part used on the front of a Ninja 250, and the back of the Ninja 500) but a few rounds ago I switched to a SV-650 calliper. The SV-650 right side calliper is very similar to the 96+ brake calliper; It uses the same pads, but has different pistons and seals. The SV-650 calliper supersedes the GS calliper, according to Ron Ayers.

My initial pad of choice was Galfer Stintered HH Pads. Those pads form the benchmark for this post. I've run the Galfers on both the 93 calliper, and the SV-650 calliper.

Generally, the Galfer Stintered pads are good. They have a strong initial bite, but braking power falls off a little after initial application. Especially on the older style calliper, they felt slightly inconsistent, which somewhat robs confidence. Power over all is good, with these pads easily lifting the rear wheel, especially with more abrupt application. I generally have to replace them every race weekend.

EBC Greens: I picked these up slightly in a panic when I realized I was running a pair of Galfer Pads that had been nearly worn out. The Greens had a slightly more progressive feel, without as strong an initial bite. Power was initially very good with little fade, but started to fall off badly later in the day. The pads were replaced afterhalf a race weekend. I ran these pads on an old style calliper only.

EBC Extreme Pro: My current personal favourite. These pads do not have a strong initial bite. Braking power comes on smoothly and predictably, with less of a tendency to pick up the rear end of the bike. Once firm pressure is applied, power is extremely good. Pads overall are incredibly consistent and confidence inspiring; very little fade, and the power is easy to modulate and extremely predictable. It feels very comfortable to trail brake on these pads. I've run them on the new style calliper only, however they are available for the pre 96 GS callipers.

I've run the Extreme Pro for one race, so I'm not sure how they will feel as they wear down. I'm informed that they should last significantly longer than the Galfers I had used before... Which is good, since they cost about twice as much. Overall, I feel that the extra expense is easily justified, even if they didn't have a longer usable life.

I'll update this post when I replace the Extreme Pros.

[black and silver twin]

good notes, I am curious how the ebc hh pads would work for you, since I may be upgrading to them. Also have you tried any aftermarket rotors at all? do the not work any better than OEM?
I look forward to all future updates.

[burning1]

I may have EBC HH pads on my BMW. I can't recall for sure right now.

I currently don't have any intention of running an aftermarket rotor on the GS - during the winter, I'll be installing a front end off of a 600. But, I have run Galfer waive rotors on a GSX-R 600, and I can say that they noticably improved braking performance, and also lasted significantly longer than the OEM parts. Combined with HH pads, Stainless Steel brake lines, and a lever that slightly increased leverage, I could lift the rear wheel on that bike with 1 finger.

I was very impressed, and would definitely go aftermarket over OEM if I had to replace the rotor at retail prices. But if you're just looking for an upgrade, fresh fluid, SS lines, and the right pads can provide most of the braking power you want, without as much cost.

[burning1]

As I've mentioned elsewhere... The 96+/SV650 calipers are a significant improvement over the older design. In terms of reliability, power, and convenience (much easier to change pads on the new caliper.)

[black and silver twin]

mines an 04 so its already got the better caliper, and I have goodridge braided lines with new (obviously) dot4 fluid. I have also put an adjustable lever on and the bike came with tokiko HH pads stock (thats what is imprinted on the back of the pads). I was just curious about the pads and rotor because if/when I need new ones I was thinking of the EBC hh pads and rotors. (I never use stock parts, I always upgrade)

[burning1]

In retrospect, I think the first set of pads I put on the bike were EBC HH Stintered pads. I recall that they provided consistent performance until I replaced them (E.g. braking power didn't reduce significantly towards the end of their life) and I didn't recall significant fade.

With that said, I felt that they were more or les comparable to the Galfer HH pads. The EBC Extreme Pro pads are significantly better.

[black and silver twin]

How do the EBC extreme pro pads do on the street? aka when there cold? DO they squeak/squeal? Do they desroy rotors or themselves?

[burning1]

I haven't run them on the street, although EBC claims that they are suitable for street use. I *will* probably install them on my BMW once the OEM pads are worn down.

I noticed a good bit of noise out of the Galfer and EBC Stintered HH pads I've run. On my previous BMW, the pads made a bit of a buzzing sound. I haven't noticed it with the Extreme Pros, but to be honest it's not really a concern for my use, either.

It's hard for me to comment on rotor wear at this point. I really beat the shaZam! out of my brakes, and I've already on my 3rd rotor this year. After a race weekend, I haven't noticed more significant wear than normal, but I haven't used them long enough to feel comfortable commenting.

Regarding rotors: If you can swing it, the Galfer Waive rotors are a significant improvement over stock, both in braking power, and in life. The design is supposed to throw off dirt, so you're less likely to cut groves into your rotors as dirt is trapped between the pad and the brake disk. I would run them on my race bike, but I intend to perform a front end swap, an the cost is too high to justify for a single race season, when I have a limited budget and a stack of OEM rotors to run through.

IMO, a waive rotor is going to provide better performance than one of the EBC designs.

[black and silver twin]

IMO, a waive rotor is going to provide better performance than one of the EBC designs.

Why is that? ebc has a petal style rotor (called "contour"), is the galfer better because of the metal used? The rotor I had in mind was the ebc XC which is the contour with the new flat side (square drive) rivets. it is also there lightest rotor.

[burning1]

Okay, NVM. I'm not too familiar with the Contour rotor, and I'm not sure how it performs compared to the Galfer Waive rotor.

Edit: I was thinking more of the EBC Pro-Lights

[Kurlon]

The EX500 guys are saying the EBC Contour rotor plus Extreme Pro pads is the 'go to' setup now.  Long life, no warping rotors and awesome stopping power.  I ran a Countor (pre square drive I believe) EBC with GFA pads on my 92 and loved it.  I also upgraded to a Nissin 14mm radial master, SV caliper and stainless line.

[burning1]

Update on the EBC Extreme Pro pads...

I love these pads, but you might not, especially at first.

After finishing off the racing season, the pads are still stopping the bike admirably. Power does not seem to have fallen off considerably, and the pads are still extremely consistent in their application of power - they do not feel as if their effectiveness drops as the race goes on and heat builds up in the system.

Rotor wear is significantly better than with any of my previous pads. I haven't had to replace a rotor since installing them, which is huge given that I started off the season by replacing my rotor twice.

I've gone so far as to install them on my BMW K1300GT street bike.

For race use, the lack of initial bite and liner delivery of power is very nice, however for street use, it may initially make the pads seem weak. The same amazing overall breaking power is there, but when applied gently as one typically does in a street situation one might not be initially not be impressed by them. As brake pressure is increased, the same amazing power comes on, which may be a little surprising to someone who is accustomed to more conventional pads that bite, and then fade off somewhat.

With that said, once I became accustomed to the pads, power was incredibly predictable and accessible. Still my favorite pads, and still highly recommended.