1100 rt / front brakes

[rich7196]

hi.. how do you tell when its time to change front brakes.. last time the bike was at dealer for 18K service they said it was almost time to change.. I've put approx 1k on since then.. what do you look for etc.. i know this is a basic question, but i am not mechanical and would appreciate some guidance.. thank you.

[MotorradMike]

Hi Rich:

New pads have grooves in the friction material cut almost to the steel backing plate. When the pads wear down to the bottom of the grooves, replace them.
I think you should be able to see the grooves without removing the front wheel.

Disks wear much more slowly. Check thickness with a micrometer.

[bikerfish1100]

dealers have a tendency to replace pads based on mileage/appearance. they may have seen yours at 18K, said "they likely won't last until 24K (next scheduled service), so let's change them now ."
that happened once to me- but i complained, as i did not ask for the brake change, they had the bike for several days but failed to tell me they were changing them (or bother ask if i wanted it to be done), and i had a brand new set of Galfers sitting at home, waiting to go on. they ended up giving me the pads, i paid for the labor- a semi-fair compromise.