Stop it! (Brake pads..WTF?)

[twocool]

So I replaced my rear tire yesterday...noticed the rear brake pads were just about shot.  Figured  I'd go to the dealer and pick up a set, and be done with both jobs.  Thought again and looked up the price on the Internet.

Rear Pads, OEM Suzuki, are over $100 !!!!!  WTF???....best discount price on Internet was about $85!!!

For freakin' tiny set of brake pads!!!

Remembered EBC makes pads for everything....supposed to be the "best" too!

Found EBC rear for about $25 and front's for about same.....FR + RR + shipping for under $60...that's more like it!

But it took me a long time to find an Internet vendor who had both the front and rear, and had then listed correctly under the correct part numbers......

Even EBC took their "application chart" off the Internet for some reason.  Searched some dealers who still had the old application chart to get the correct part numbers, then searched other dealers to find the correct parts....PITA!!!

What are most of you guys using for brake pads???  ANd where are you purchasing them??

Cookie

[gsJack]

I've used mostly the EBC and EBC-HH pads over the years and bought them locally and online from RonAyers, Chaparral, and BikeBandit for about $30 a pair at most for organic and about $35 for HH pads.  The Emgo I use now I get locally for about $25 and think they are about equivelant to OEM.  Can't believe the price for OEM you quote, they were about $40 a pair last time I checked.  Wow!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg

Needed a pair of fronts in a hurry once and bought the Emgo pads they had from Shadetree and thought I would use them temporarily until I got the EBC but they turned out to be better than EBC and I used them since.  Years ago we got a bunch of junk stuff from Emgo.

[gsJack]

Suzi oem pads are only $39.76 this morning from BikeBandit and they are usually a bit higher than some of the others.  EBC-HH rear pads are $35 now for GS rear from BB.

[twocool]

Suzi oem pads are only $39.76 this morning from BikeBandit and they are usually a bit higher than some of the others.  EBC-HH rear pads are $35 now for GS rear from BB.

I see $104.80 for suzuki OEM from bike bandit....this is for the rear....what am I missing???

Plus the shims are anothe $5 each!

Cookie

[gsJack]

Beats me, don't know what we're missing.  Remembering that all GS front from 97-09 use the EBC FA231 pads and all years 89-09 use the EBC FA63 rear pads I just checked 02 prices before, my year.  After your last post not wanting to search for a EBC catalog I back checked Dennis Kirk part numbers and those EBC pads are still listed for all the years I said.  FA231 front and FA63 rear thru 2009 years, don't remember what year yours is.

Just checked BB again and 2009 oem rear pads were over $100 like you said compared to the 01-02 oem pads I checked at 39.76 at BB.  Also checked RonAyers and oem for 09 are 93.27 front and 32.91 rear, a bit lower than BB as usual.

Think I'd just continue to buy EBC or EMGO until someone figures out why the F model pads are so pricey and what is different about them besides the part numbers.

[BrianKD]

These are on my '93

http://www.bikebandit.com/ebc-sintered-double-h-brake-pads?mg=3610&t=1&td=1

[twocool]

Beats me, don't know what we're missing.  Remembering that all GS front from 97-09 use the EBC FA231 pads and all years 89-09 use the EBC FA63 rear pads I just checked 02 prices before, my year.  After your last post not wanting to search for a EBC catalog I back checked Dennis Kirk part numbers and those EBC pads are still listed for all the years I said.  FA231 front and FA63 rear thru 2009 years, don't remember what year yours is.

Just checked BB again and 2009 oem rear pads were over $100 like you said compared to the 01-02 oem pads I checked at 39.76 at BB.  Also checked RonAyers and oem for 09 are 93.27 front and 32.91 rear, a bit lower than BB as usual.

Think I'd just continue to buy EBC or EMGO until someone figures out why the F model pads are so pricey and what is different about them besides the part numbers.

Likewise....EBC seem good tome and reasonable price....I ordered them from a place called Powersportsuperstore.....front and rear together were less than $50 plus $9 shipping came out to $57 and change...

Cookie

[adidasguy]

All  rear pads are the same.

There are 3 different front calipers so 3 different front pads. Be aware f the year and match the pictures for front calipers.

I've said it before: I take the easy route. Buy calipers with nearly new pads from nearly new bikes that some squid crashed. Like $14.95 for calipers & pads from a bike with under 1000 miles. Saves me a bundle - except what to do with all the old calipers? Nice thing is calipers are compatible, even though they changed 3 times for the front. Junior (1992) and Trey (1994) have 2009 calipers. Phenix will have the same, even though a 1993 frame.

as for Bike Bandit - remember that "in stock" only means they can get it. Doesn't mean on the shelf and can ship today. Been through that, which is why I have extra jet sets. They held the order waiting for an "in stock" part to arrive at their door. So I ordered jets elsewhere that had them in their hand already.

[twocool]

All  rear pads are the same.

There are 3 different front calipers so 3 different front pads. Be aware f the year and match the pictures for front calipers.

I've said it before: I take the easy route. Buy calipers with nearly new pads from nearly new bikes that some squid crashed. Like $14.95 for calipers & pads from a bike with under 1000 miles. Saves me a bundle - except what to do with all the old calipers? Nice thing is calipers are compatible, even though they changed 3 times for the front. Junior (1992) and Trey (1994) have 2009 calipers. Phenix will have the same, even though a 1993 frame.

as for Bike Bandit - remember that "in stock" only means they can get it. Doesn't mean on the shelf and can ship today. Been through that, which is why I have extra jet sets. They held the order waiting for an "in stock" part to arrive at their door. So I ordered jets elsewhere that had them in their hand already.

Now I'm really getting confused!  Yes, I see different part numbers for the front brakes OEM suzuki for different years.........

But EBC shows the same part number for all years!!???

WTF??

Cookie

[adidasguy]

Search past threads on this. Also search for "pinwall" as I often mention them and brakes because they are a really good bike breaker. I've bought many calipers with nearly new pads and rotors from them. Bought one set from a bike with only 240 miles! I love it that squids in the midwest crash their bikes so I can buy the parts dirt cheap.

I believe it was burning1 that informed me there were 3 different front calipers where I thought only 2 (and have now noticed that in looking at my pile of parts).

[slipperymongoose]

I thought there was only 2 types, all models up to the model before the k1, and k1 onwards had the new calipers.

[gsJack]

As far as fitment goes there are only 2 types of GS500 front pads.  EBC FA 231 fit 96-02 GS500/E and 04-09 GS500F models as I said above.  The 89-95 GS500E models took EBC FA129 front pads.  They are listed for these applications.  The caliper redesign took place between the 95 and 96 models.

Just checked and the DP323 pads (DP brand) fit all the same model GSs as the FA231 fit.

But the Vesrah VD435JL and TufStop TSRP904S2 sintered pads are listed only for the 01-09 GS500/F bikes and not for the 96-00 GS500E that are included for the EBC and DP pads.  I've also noticed several places warnings to not use sintered pads on bikes that did not have sintered pads as OEM. I think that might account for the thinking there might be a change in the calipers between 00 and 01 models.

Besides the EBC FA231 organic ($37 list) and the EBC FA231HH ($43 list) there is a newer EPFA231HH ($75 list) high performance pad that has a HH friction rating but lasts as much as twice as long.  Wonder if the Suzuki OEM pads for the F models that cost over $100 are of these newer materials because the old FA231 organic pads will fit the F calipers too according to all the pad makers?

[adidasguy]

Makes sense. 
3 different calipers and 2 different pads. Like 3 girls who can't agree on what to use to make them feel fresh and confident.

[twocool]

As far as fitment goes there are only 2 types of GS500 front pads.  EBC FA 231 fit 96-02 GS500/E and 04-09 GS500F models as I said above.  The 89-95 GS500E models took EBC FA129 front pads.  They are listed for these applications.  The caliper redesign took place between the 95 and 96 models.

Just checked and the DP323 pads (DP brand) fit all the same model GSs as the FA231 fit.

But the Vesrah VD435JL and TufStop TSRP904S2 sintered pads are listed only for the 01-09 GS500/F bikes and not for the 96-00 GS500E that are included for the EBC and DP pads.  I've also noticed several places warnings to not use sintered pads on bikes that did not have sintered pads as OEM. I think that might account for the thinking there might be a change in the calipers between 00 and 01 models.

Besides the EBC FA231 organic ($37 list) and the EBC FA231HH ($40 list) there is a newer EPFA231HH ($75 list) high performance pad that has a HH friction rating but lasts as much as twice as long.  Wonder if the Suzuki OEM pads for the F models that cost over $100 are of these newer materials because the old FA231 organic pads will fit the F calipers too according to all the pad makers?

OK that makes sense...still way to complicated, but makes sense....at least It looks like I ordered the right pads for my '09.........I went with "organic" as I don't see the need for anything special for my type of driving......for under $30 I'd rather just change more often than pay $100 for "long lasting"......

Although, with 21,000 miles, my OEM front's are still good! OEM   Rears are just getting thin...

But then again, I don't stop much.  My typical weekend commute... it's 80 miles each way, with maybe two stop signs!

Yes they say don't use HH pads on a bike not origianlly designed for them......probably this doesn't really matter, just expect way better stopping...might get a big surprise!

But also read don't put HH on rear with organic on front, as this would be imbalance with too good stopping on rear =  dangerous...

One dealer lists FA 142 as the front pads for an '09   But then put FA 231 in parenthessis after that number??  Hard to know what you would actually get ?

Cookie

[gsJack]

Well the FA142 and FA231 pads wouldn't fit the same calipers.  FA142 looks mostly like scooter applications including some Bergmans.  Click on fitment tab:

https://www.denniskirk.com/ebc/kevlar-brake-pads.p199457.prd/195155.sku

https://www.denniskirk.com/ebc/kevlar-brake-pads.p199457.prd/194843.sku

I ran some EBC-HH rear pads with EBC-Kevlar (organic) front pads for thousands of miles at one time but use to say here not to run that mix until you have 100k miles of GS experience.     That GS500 rear disc bit me with a lowside the first month I had the 97 after many miles on 4 old Hondas with drum rears.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSbrakeschains.jpg

[gsJack]

twocool, I don't know why this was still bugging me today but I just went back to check the 04-09F front pad prices on some other parts fiches.  Found all called for the same 59102-33890  oem pad/shim set for these bikes and the set at  MrCycles was $55.10, at RonAyers $51.38, and at SHSpowersport $47.16  So I thought I better recheck BikeBandit and found they were only $56.47 there.  Either we were both totally confused yesterday or the over $100 price we saw yesterday was a typo they corrected overnight.   

Shades of the GS camshafts, Suzuki has done it to me again.  After I bought the 02 GS with the 3 circuit carbs I found mid-range performance to be so much better than my old 97 GS that I couldn't believe it was due only to the 2 to 3 circuit carb change, I believed  there must have been a cam change too.  Searched a long time trying to confirm or dissprove this but never could.  At the same time they made the carb change they went to listing the cams as a set with the sideplay shims included and they all then had different part numbers.

[adidasguy]

I have all 3 calipers on the shelf. Would you like me to photograph them and the pads? (Maybe get it added to the WIKI?) Oh, there is a difference in the threads of the banjo bolts in one model. I remember that from replacing a brake line and the caliper banjo that came with the SS line was the wrong threads pitch.

[twocool]

twocool, I don't know why this was still bugging me today but I just went back to check the 04-09F front pad prices on some other parts fiches.  Found all called for the same 59102-33890  oem pad/shim set for these bikes and the set at  MrCycles was $55.10, at RonAyers $51.38, and at SHSpowersport $47.16  So I thought I better recheck BikeBandit and found they were only $56.47 there.  Either we were both totally confused yesterday or the over $100 price we saw yesterday was a typo they corrected overnight.   

Shades of the GS camshafts, Suzuki has done it to me again.  After I bought the 02 GS with the 3 circuit carbs I found mid-range performance to be so much better than my old 97 GS that I couldn't believe it was due only to the 2 to 3 circuit carb change, I believed  there must have been a cam change too.  Searched a long time trying to confirm or dissprove this but never could.  At the same time they made the carb change they went to listing the cams as a set with the sideplay shims included and they all then had different part numbers.

Jack...

Rear, not front is what I'm talking about...For '09 modle...

It's the REAR pads which are over $100 OEM at bike bandit etc......not the fronts....

Motorcycle superstore has the OEM REAR for $87...

Powersport Superstore has the EBC REAR organic for $22.25.....FA063...that's what I got..

So I'm still baffled at the Suzuki pricing on this..

Cookie

[twocool]

twocool, I don't know why this was still bugging me today but I just went back to check the 04-09F front pad prices on some other parts fiches.  Found all called for the same 59102-33890  oem pad/shim set for these bikes and the set at  MrCycles was $55.10, at RonAyers $51.38, and at SHSpowersport $47.16  So I thought I better recheck BikeBandit and found they were only $56.47 there.  Either we were both totally confused yesterday or the over $100 price we saw yesterday was a typo they corrected overnight.   

Shades of the GS camshafts, Suzuki has done it to me again.  After I bought the 02 GS with the 3 circuit carbs I found mid-range performance to be so much better than my old 97 GS that I couldn't believe it was due only to the 2 to 3 circuit carb change, I believed  there must have been a cam change too.  Searched a long time trying to confirm or dissprove this but never could.  At the same time they made the carb change they went to listing the cams as a set with the sideplay shims included and they all then had different part numbers.

For '08, '09..Suzuki OEM rear pads...part # 61900-0BE00.....list price $115.16

For '01, '02 ..Suzuki OEM rear pads ..part # 61900-01820  ...list price $39.76


Yet everybody says same part fits...so why tow part numbers and two prices??

I say again...WTF ?  over...

Cookie

[gsJack]

We did get off the rear pads for a  while to sort out the front pads, think they're all sorted now for both replacement and oem front pads.  Back to your rear pads, those price differences you posted are amazing to say the least even considering the F prices include shims:

For '08, '09..Suzuki OEM rear pad set...part # 61900-0BE00.....list price $115.16

For '01, '02 ..Suzuki OEM rear pads ..part # 61900-01820  ...list price $39.76

I took a quick quick look at the fiches and there is a rear caliper for K4,K5,K6 models with the $100+ pads and there is another caliper marked not for US market with the lower priced pads:

PAD & SHIM SET 69100-01830 .................list price $47.28

These should be the same or less than the 01-02 price without their included shims.

These lower priced calipers and pads for non US models are no longer listed with the 08-09 F models, just the high priced ones for here.  Can't image what's so special about rear brake calipers made for US model GS-F bikes?