Regular brake maintenance is essential for keeping your motorcycle safe and performing at its best. Over time, brake pads gradually wear down as they create friction against the brake disc, eventually requiring replacement.
Fortunately, replacing motorcycle brake pads is one of the easiest maintenance tasks many riders can perform themselves.
With a few basic tools and the correct replacement brake pads, most riders can complete the job in less than an hour.
High-quality replacement brake pads such as those manufactured by SBS are designed to deliver consistent braking performance and reliable durability for a wide range of motorcycles.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of replacing motorcycle brake pads, including how to find the correct SBS brake pads for your specific motorcycle.
Before starting the job, gather the following tools:
socket or spanner set
Allen keys or Torx keys (depending on the motorcycle)
screwdriver
brake cleaner
clean cloth
torque wrench (recommended)
Having the correct tools prepared beforehand makes the job faster and safer.
Before removing anything, inspect the current brake pads.
Look through the brake caliper and check the thickness of the friction material.
Most brake pads start with around 3–4 mm of friction material.
If the pads have worn down to 1–1.5 mm, they should be replaced.
Other warning signs include:
squealing brakes
reduced braking power
uneven wear
vibration while braking
These symptoms are covered in more detail in our article:
“5 Signs Your Motorcycle Brake Pads Need Replacing.”
To access the brake pads, the brake caliper must be removed.
Locate the caliper mounting bolts.
Use the correct socket or Allen key to loosen and remove the bolts.
Carefully slide the caliper off the brake disc.
Avoid pulling the brake lever while the caliper is removed, as this may push the pistons out too far.
Most brake calipers use retaining pins or clips to hold the brake pads in place.
Remove the retaining clip (if fitted).
Unscrew or slide out the brake pad retaining pins.
Carefully slide the old brake pads out of the caliper.
Take note of the orientation of the brake pads so the new ones can be installed correctly.
Before installing new brake pads, it is recommended to clean the brake components.
Use brake cleaner and a cloth to remove:
brake dust
dirt
debris
Cleaning the caliper helps ensure smooth brake operation and reduces noise.
Now the new brake pads can be installed.
Insert the new brake pads into the caliper in the same orientation as the old pads.
Reinstall the retaining pins or clips.
Tighten the retaining pins securely.
High-quality brake pads from SBS are designed to fit precisely within the caliper, ensuring consistent braking performance.
Once the new brake pads are installed:
Carefully slide the caliper back over the brake disc.
Reinstall the caliper mounting bolts.
Tighten the bolts to the manufacturer’s recommended torque specification.
Using a torque wrench is recommended to ensure the bolts are tightened correctly.
Before riding the motorcycle, pump the brake lever several times.
This pushes the brake pistons back into contact with the new brake pads.
If this step is skipped, the brakes may feel soft when first applied.
New brake pads require a bedding-in process to achieve optimal braking performance.
This involves gradually heating the brake pads through controlled braking.
Typical bedding procedure:
Ride at moderate speed.
Apply the brakes gently several times.
Gradually increase braking pressure over several stops.
This allows the brake pad material to transfer evenly onto the brake disc.
Our article “Brake Pad Bedding-In Explained” covers this process in more detail.
Brake pads come in different shapes designed to fit specific brake calipers.
To identify the correct brake pads for your motorcycle, use the SBS product selector:
Simply enter:
motorcycle brand
engine size
model
year
The system will display compatible SBS brake pads for your specific motorcycle.
This ensures correct fitment and optimal braking performance.
Choosing high-quality brake pads can significantly improve braking performance and reliability.
Many riders trust SBS brake pads because they offer:
Advanced friction compounds deliver consistent braking behaviour.
Brake pads from SBS maintain performance even under aggressive braking.
The SBS range covers approximately 95% of motorcycles, making it easy for riders to find compatible brake pads.
Replacing motorcycle brake pads is one of the most important maintenance tasks for maintaining safe braking performance.
By following a few simple steps, riders can replace their brake pads quickly and safely.
Installing high-quality brake pads such as those produced by SBS helps ensure reliable stopping power, improved rider confidence, and long-lasting braking performance.
Using the SBS product selector also makes it easy to identify the correct brake pads for your motorcycle.
Yes. Replacing brake pads is a relatively simple maintenance task that many riders can perform with basic tools.
For most motorcycles, replacing brake pads takes 30–60 minutes.
Brake fluid does not need to be changed every time brake pads are replaced, but it should be inspected regularly and replaced according to the manufacturer’s service schedule.
You can use the SBS product selector by entering your motorcycle’s brand, model, engine size, and year.
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