Front pads Tiger 1050

[Garandman]

Please edjamacate me.

Signed up for the TTD non sportbike day and will need new pads for that.

2008 Tiger 1050 ABS.

Not sure what the best choice is: this bike will be once or twice a year trackdays, otherwise city and road riding.

[MattR302]

I use EBC HH pads on my FZ6 for the same situation, same for my old ZX6R and F4.

Edit: EBC HH sintered pads on the front, organics/OEM on the rear.

[e30addict]

I run EBC HH pads on the front of my Tiger. I hate the stock pads and think the EBCs are the way to go on the front, they really make a huge difference. The EBCs on the rear are great loaded up and running the roads in WV, but a little too much with just me, especially on dirt. I like the stock rear pads overall for the rear, though I also don't run really sticky rubber either.

[Garandman]

Great, thanks!

EBC now has rear organic pads so I went with them as well.

EBC FA214/2 Organic Rear Brake Pads - RevZilla

What about brake fluid? 16 choices..... got to go find the specs.

'Brake fluid' search results - RevZilla

[Garandman]

More adventures. Some of the forums say you need a software package to properly bleed the brakes on an ABS bike. Truth?

Bike takes DOT 4, still trying to find quantity.

[TripleTaco]

FYI, I've used the Lucas or Pentosin DOT 4 fluid from Autozone before. Most seem to stock it.

[Garandman]

What do you use for grease? A vid on YouTube references "copper grease." Guess it's time to actually read the Service Manual.

Turns out you need software to open the ABS system and get the last bit of oil fluid out. Ordered it from the UK, but of course because they're Brits in summer, closed until the 14th.

[e30addict]

I believe copper grease is copper anti seize.

I don't use any. I just slap the pads in and grease the pins with the synthetic grease I use on my truck.

[carsick]

Avoid petroleum based lubricants on any brake part that has a "rubber" component, such as caliper boots, o-rings in the piston or slide pins. They will swell and fall apart. Synthetic (silicone) brake grease in sparing amounts is the thing.

[Spooler]

I just rebuilt the three brakes on my Tiger a month or two ago and changed all the pads. I went with EBC scintered front and back, generic DOT4 fluid. It doesn't take much fluid, I'd buy maybe two small containers and if you don't open the second one you'll have it next time you need it.

- - - Updated - - -

And I used "brake lubricant" from autozone on the pins and the backs of the pads.

[Kurlon]

I use food safe plumbers grease for brake caliper pins. Cheap and easy to find, won't bother rubber one bit.

[Garandman]

Got the EBC HH pads and they are great. Better initial bite and more linear feel than OEM.

Bought EBC organic for the rear but the stock pads were so little worn I left them in.

Got Permatex synthetic Burke* grease.

* Spell check too funny, how about "brake."

[Spooler]

I don't know about yours but the rear brakes on mine are more or less useless. I was hoping after my rebuild/flush and bleed/new pads it would make a different. Not really.

[Garandman]

Lee Parks did three stoppies in a row, then asked, "If you can brake so hard with the front wheel the rear wheel comes off the ground, why would you ever use your rear brake? I pretty much only use it to control speed downhill on slippery surfaces.

Is there a Motul dealer near Boston? Does Nault's Honda sell it?

[e30addict]

Trail brake for one, and it balances the heat load other times.

Maybe not relevant for a race application, or panic stop, but under heavy, repetitive braking it can help prevent over heating them.

Two up also comes to mind.

Rear brakes on my Tiger are good for 18k. I definitely use them.

[Spooler]

On my sprint I used to use the front and back together in many situations, plus trail braking. The Tiger has caused me to completely give up on rear brake because a) the pedal is located where my toe can not easily reach it, generally, and b) it does basically nothing.

[SprintPoser]

Lee Parks did three stoppies in a row, then asked, "If you can brake so hard with the front wheel the rear wheel comes off the ground, why would you ever use your rear brake? I pretty much only use it to control speed downhill on slippery surfaces.

Is there a Motul dealer near Boston? Does Nault's Honda sell it?

I was at Cycles 128 and noticed they carry Motul. I really like their chain lube.

[tls25rs]

Any dealer that has an account with Parts Unlimited or Western Powersports can get you Motul products.

Or you can buy it online from motosport.com

I am sure any number of online vendors can get it for you as well.

[Garandman]

Punted on Motul, used Castrol Bike shifts noticeably better.