Author Topic: What brake pads for C14? (Read 5950 times)

MrSkydriver · « **on:** June 20, 2013, 02:05:50 pm »

I need to replace my brake pads and would like to know your recommendations. What type and why?

Thanks,
Gregg

Baldy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2013, 02:07:18 pm »

about time for my 08 as well.....interested in the replays

JPavlis_CA · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2013, 02:29:50 pm »

Everybody's going to say EBC, or maybe Galfer. Personally, I won't touch anything EBC unless desperate - I've had nothing but problems with their products over the years.

OEM is good and a reasonable choice if you're happy with the way they feel.

I have been a long time fan of DP Brakes brake pads (formerly Dunlopad - no relation to Dunflop, but litigation forced name change). I've run them on my old '95 and my big Zed-12 and love the power and feel they give. I put a set of DP Sports HH+ on the front of my 14 two months ago and had to rcalibrate my right hand - what used to take 3 fingers with the OEM pads now takes one finger.

http://www.dp-brakes.com/

RideBellChain · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2013, 06:38:56 pm »

They put EBC's on mine last time, and I was not happy with them as compared to the OEM pads. They make noise, too. I have EBC's on my cruiser, and they seem fine. I'm sticking with OEM for the Concours.

Tundra Tom · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2013, 01:20:49 am »

Search brake pads. The stockers warped my first set of rotors. Went to EBCs, better feed back and more linear feel. Needed new pads and installed second gen. 2010 pads. Now have pulsing starting again.

S Smith · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2013, 02:11:12 am »

BDF · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2013, 02:29:24 am »

I started off with OEM (new bike) on an '08. The brakes were great but left about four pounds of black brake dust on the wheel every time I rode the bike. Then tried EBC pads and they were OK but not outstanding; less initial bite and the brake effectiveness did not keep up with the increase in brake system pressure. Finally, they were the most 'hissing' pads I think I have ever seen- not squeaky, grabby or chattering, just hissed when applied. Then I tried 2nd generation OEM pads and really like them. No appreciable amount of brake dust, no noise and performed as well or a bit better than the EBC's. They are also something like $20 per side less expensive than the first gen. brake pads. Go figure. If purchased online through a deep discounter, they are very competitive with aftermarket brake pads.

Brian

Quote from: MrSkydriver on June 20, 2013, 02:05:50 pm

I need to replace my brake pads and would like to know your recommendations. What type and why?

Thanks,
Gregg

JS_racer · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2013, 09:40:27 am »

Quote from: BDF on June 21, 2013, 02:29:24 am

.............. If purchased online through a deep discounter, they are very competitive with aftermarket brake pads.
Brian

any leads of the top of your head ??

BDF · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2013, 11:26:38 am »

Do a Google search for Kawasaki parts. Ron Ayers is an old stand- by for on-line parts supply at great discounts. Some others will do even better. Just be careful ordering on-line because you often cannot return the parts, and you cannot change an order once you initiate it. And always check the shipping costs because they can be high and have a fairly high minimum; if the min. shipping price is, say, $10.95, and you order $20 worth of parts, that will overcome the discount.

I find on- line ordering makes sense when the price is fairly high, such as brake pads, and there is virtually no chance of making a mistake and order the wrong part, again for something like brake pads. Fairing screws are on the other side of the equation- very easy to get the wrong ones and they are inexpensive enough that ordering them on-line is a disadvantage.

Brian

Quote from: JS_racer on June 21, 2013, 09:40:27 am

any leads of the top of your head ??

JeffP · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2013, 12:15:45 pm »

Where can you get 2nd gen pads online? How do you know they are Gen 2?

BDF · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2013, 12:22:36 pm »

For the 'where', see my post above.

Front brake pads for 2008 and 2009 are Gen. 1 brake pads. The brake pads for 2010 and later C-14's are Gen. 2 pads. They have different part numbers. To buy Gen. 2 pads, I just order the pads for a 2010, 2011 or 2012. All front brake pads on C-14's are interchangeable but the pad material is different between Gen.1 and Gen.2 pads.

Brian

Quote from: JeffP on June 21, 2013, 12:15:45 pm

Where can you get 2nd gen pads online? How do you know they are Gen 2?

Scotty · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:46:08 pm »

I only get 18k out of a set of fronts on the oems. Been through two sets. Not sure how other brands compare.

REC911 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2013, 07:34:17 pm »

Quote from: Scotty on June 21, 2013, 08:46:08 pm

I only get 18k out of a set of fronts on the oems. Been through two sets. Not sure how other brands compare.

Good question. Riding style will make a huge difference (like tire life) but is 18k about normal?

Don557 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2013, 01:07:20 am »

I ran my '11 OEM pads until about 14K, at which point they were toast. Don't care much for the OEM; kind of a wimpy initial bite and take more effort under hard braking than I prefer. I've always used Galfer on my track bikes. I see lots of posts recommending EBC, but I've ridden Galfer and EBC HH's back-to-back on the same bike, and there's no comparison in my opinion. To each his own, just sayin'. On the C14 it's no exception - I luv 'em. Marked improvement over stock.
The Galfers I just got for the C14 were from Pashnit Moto; $79.90 for a full front set ($39.95 per caliper), and free shipping. Hard to beat.

Bob · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2013, 09:30:12 am »

I only got 6000 out of my pads, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300714712204?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

they worked great but didn't last long, about $45 for a full set

Madman · « **Reply #15 on:** June 23, 2013, 06:16:59 pm »

Anybody seen/use these before?: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20082011-Kawasaki-Concours-14-ZG-1400-ABS-Front-Carbon-Kevlar-Brake-Pads-/161051894714#ht_3344wt_1170

Jeff Kerkow · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2013, 06:33:10 pm »

Been using factory pads on mine, the 18000 sounds about right I put in my second set at 41000.

With all the rotor issues I figured I will stay with stock pads.

Don557 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2013, 07:44:56 pm »

Quote from: Madman on June 23, 2013, 06:16:59 pm

Anybody seen/use these before?: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20082011-Kawasaki-Concours-14-ZG-1400-ABS-Front-Carbon-Kevlar-Brake-Pads-/161051894714#ht_3344wt_1170

Seen 'em, never tried 'em. I think HH pads are a step up from Kevlar (performance-wise), although I believe the Kevlar are easier on the rotors. Not sure what that translates into in real-world usage though.

motonerd14 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2013, 06:21:05 pm »

Reading this made me just go outside to have a look at my pads and see how much wear there is after 6000 miles. My un-scientific armchair guess is that they're about 1/3 worn, give or take. Assuming this is correct, it would appear that as a set, they'll probably last me about 18k miles, or thereabouts. I'm quite happy with the OEMs, so will be ordering another set of these when the time comes.

MrSkydriver · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2013, 07:50:19 pm »

Thanks for all the advice!

I ended up taking Jim P. advice and got the DP (thanks Jim

)...they will be on Thursday so i'll let you know what I think. There is 18K miles on the bike now (12K when I picked it up April 25th) so I'm assuming they are stock and it appears the PO used the rear brake a lot....I rode it for a few thousand miles with no rear brake, don't use it much anyway

There has been a slight shuddering in the front and I'm hoping it just needs new pads and not rotors $:-\$

rsorrell2 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 25, 2013, 08:15:13 pm »

I am using EBC, but then I have EBC rotors (after two sets of OEM rotors and pads)

Seems like less dust and better braking but that is my opinion.

Nottacop · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2017, 08:42:42 pm »

Well Mr. Gregg, how are the DP pads working out? Any good?

ChrisD · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2017, 08:58:28 am »

I use EBC on my car and just started swapping them out on my Connie (rear first). Never had any issues on all my previous bikes, excellent pads and discs in my opinion.

connie_rider · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2017, 04:08:30 pm »

I came across this discussion and saw the DP brakes noted on Post #2.
Thought it sounded like a good plan.

I just realized that Jim Pavlis posted it.
{Sadly Jim passed away}

Still miss the guy!

Ride safe, Ted

ghostrider990 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 03, 2017, 11:45:43 pm »

Quote from: Don557 on June 23, 2013, 01:07:20 am

I ran my '11 OEM pads until about 14K, at which point they were toast. Don't care much for the OEM; kind of a wimpy initial bite and take more effort under hard braking than I prefer. I've always used Galfer on my track bikes. I see lots of posts recommending EBC, but I've ridden Galfer and EBC HH's back-to-back on the same bike, and there's no comparison in my opinion. To each his own, just sayin'. On the C14 it's no exception - I luv 'em. Marked improvement over stock.
The Galfers I just got for the C14 were from Pashnit Moto; $79.90 for a full front set ($39.95 per caliper), and free shipping. Hard to beat.

I'm curious about which Compound of Galfer's you used??
Also, are you still running the OEM Rotors with the Galfer pads, how many miles, and any ill effects of the OEM rotors with the Galfer pads??

Thanks!

gr