Brenta Motorcycle Brake Pads: Technical Information
Motorcycles accelerate fast and often have a high top speed, so they rely on perfect braking for safety.
Brake pads suffer extreme stress each time you brake to slow down or stop. Their job is to stop a metal disc, which is spinning very fast powered by an engine, and squeeze it to a standstill to stop the motorcycle - quite hard work!
And they have to do it for miles and miles and miles, losing an infinitesimal bit of their friction material each time they do it. So you can appreciate their value and see why it's important to keep them in good condition and change them when necessary.
How do Brake Pads work?
Brake pads are manufactured using friction material which stops the bike when the brake pad comes into contact with the brake disc. They transfer the driver's braking actions into the force that stops the wheel.
When the driver applies pressure to the brake lever or pedal, this is converted to hydraulic pressure by the mastercylinder. This forces brake fluid through the hydraulic brake hoses towards the caliper pistons. The caliper pistons are pushed forward by this increase in pressure, pushing the brake pads into contact with the brake disc (or rotor).
Because the friction material is applied to the disc in order to stop the bike, it gradually wears away over time, so it is necessary to replace your brake pads when they get worn out.
Motorcycle Brake Pads
Motorcycles, unlike cars, have independently operating front and back brakes which are operated by different controls - the front brake by a handlebar mounted lever and the back by a foot operated pedal. The front brake delivers the most stopping power.
Scooter Brake Pads
On most modern scooters, the rear brake is operated by the left lever and the front brake is operated with the right lever. Older scooters, or those with manual transmission, have the rear brake operated with a foot pedal.
What are motorcycle brake pads made of?
For road users, there are two main types of brake pads and which sort you should choose depends on your bike, your weight, the weather and the conditions which you will be riding in (for example trail or road, wet or dry).
- Organic, which are made of materials like glass and rubber held together with resins.
- Sintered, which are metallic and bound together by pressure and temperature.
Organic Motorcycle Brake Pads
Organic brake pads tend to be very heat resistant - in fact, the heat generated by braking even helps to bind the brake pad material together. They are generally quieter to run and generate less brake squeal. They have more bite initially when they are applied and when they are new, and need less time to wear in. However, organic pads don't last as long as sintered pads as they are made of softer material.
Organic pads are better for lighter-weight riders and are great for cross country, flatter areas and general everyday road riding. Their initial grab is much better than sintered pads, but they will wear out quicker.
Sintered Motorcycle Brake Pads
Sintered pads give a better performance in the wet and are more resistant to 'brake fade'. Because they are made of harder metallic materials, they last longer than organic pads. They are generally better for heavier riders and for wet or dusty conditions, or for racing.
Sintered pads do not have the initial bite of organic pads and will take longer to wear in, but they will be performing better at the end of the ride, due to the heat being transferred back through the caliper not the disc, therefore helping to prevent brake fade. Sintered pads are generally louder than organic pads.
When you are deciding which motorcycle brake pads to use, make sure that you choose the type of pads that will enhance your motorcycle's performance best and suit your type of riding.
Why choose Brenta Brake Pads?
Manufacture
Brenta brake pads are manufactured by Italian company Frenotecnica.
Frenotecnica has over 30 years experience specialising in friction materials for motorcycles and scooters. All Brenta products are designed and made using the latest and most advanced technical equipment in Frenotecnica's factory in Italy (not outsourced), ensuring consistent quality control across the range. All equipment and machinery is approved and monitored by one of the leading certification bodies in motorcycle part manufacture.
TUV approval.
Both Brenta's organic motorcycle brake pads and sintered brake pads have been through TUV Germany's strict testing and approval procedure. On all tests Brenta brake pads received excellent feedback as to the safety and performance of friction material.
Link:Certification for Organic and Sintered Brake Pads
Price
Brenta brake pads are proof that great quality doesn't have to come with a premium price tag.
Brake pads are a consumable material and need replacing when they're worn; a rider shouldn't be inclined to use worn brake pads because the cost of replacing them is too high.
Both organic and sintered motorcycle brake pads are priced sensibly for the road user and for garages.
Brenta Brake pads are imported into the UK by the Worlds End Group:
