Since my 99 had organic Galfer pads up front, so I'll be looking at new pads before long, besides Honda and EBC HH sintered pads, what other pads are you all using?
In the refurbishment of my '99 I went with these EBC pads: https://ebcbrakes.com/product/extreme-pro-brake-pads/ I really like the feel of these pads, they've got great authority and are easily modulated. They don't have too much initial "grab", they don't bite too quickly.
Do they need to heat up to work? What is the part number? The organic Galfer pads I have require quite a forceful squeeze of the brake lever. Very high effort.
Check out this link from Gator (I believe). Note that this is regarding the use of these pads on an RC51 but the comments should still be valid. Note that Sport Bike Track Gear has most of the brakes on the list. http://www.rogueracing.org/hrcpads.htm
Has anyone used the Carbonne Lorraine XBK5 pads? Supposed to be good, according to the article. More expensive than stock (from Partzila) and EBC HH, but according to the link above, they are supposed to excellent.
I was planning on trying them out on my rebuild. They're not that expensive at STG. http://www.sportbiketrackgear.com/cl-honda-vfr800-fi-98-01-xbk5-front-brake-pads/
There is a lot more to brake feel than just the pads and I just don't agree with that assessment of the EBC Pads. I have sampled most of the available pads for the VFR and the EBC HH were definitely my favorite. I wouldn't use any of the organic pads again, they make a mess and the feel isn't as good as the HH pads. I used them in the rear to "tune" the feel of the linked brakes on my 6G, and I have to admit it was a failed experiment.
I have to say for street use, I really didn't have any issues with the EBC HH pads but I thought I might give the CL XBK5 a shot. Considering my 5 Gen is my track/canyon bike, I would like to see how the CLs perform in comparison.
I have Vesrah HH pads on my delinked 01 with CBR929 calipers as they where 50% off when I needed them. At that price they were worth the shot. I find they don't have the initial bite of the EBC HH pads which are my main go to pad. Once hot they are great, but take a few applications to be at their best. I have always used EBC HH from back in the day, great initial bite, superb feel and no fade, even better when heated up so why change. I should listen to my own advice!
I actually ended up using the EPFA pads after experimenting with the EBC HH and a few other types. I don't think you can find a better street/track pad than the EBC EPFA pads.....unless you have a metric fuckton of disposable income, doing track days, and are capable of putting enough heat into carbon/carbon brakes. My preferred combo for the VFR was HEL Lines, Motul RBF 600 fluid, and EBC EPFA pads. For brake controls, Pazzo levers and Sato rearsets. I think you would be hard pressed to find a combination that works better than that.
I agree that there's more than just pads, but the pads that I have require SO much to stop, especially at higher speeds. It's really a weird inverse. The more I need them, IE, the faster I go, the more work is required to get them to stop. It's a little unnerving. It feels like I have blocks of wood, not brake pads.
+ 1 on the EBC HH - I've tried them all on my '04 over the years and the HH is the best. Great initial bite and no fade. Proven reliability.
Quote" "It's really a weird inverse. The more I need them, IE, the faster I go, the more work is required to get them to stop. It's a little unnerving. It feels like I have blocks of wood, not brake pads." I don't know Lint, that doesn't sound right in my experience. I've never had anything but good linear action with the EBC HH pads. My first reaction is to suspect caliper issues, specifically scored or un-lubed pins. I've also found the front pads to be mounted incorrectly, i.e. the inboard pad cocked. When you remove the calipers (we all do remove the calipers when changing pads, right?) look 'em over carefully as you disassemble them for any signs of weirdness. My 2-cents. Joe in IL V4 Dreams (dot com)