Major Service

[Skids]

Took the Crossrunner in for her 16k service today.  She's just out of warranty so I would normally attempt the majority of it myself but I took out a servicing agreement when I bought it and decided to let the dealer do this service. I intend to service the bike myself from now on (with a little help from a friend).

Mildly concerning is that after 16k miles, the front brake pads are 80% worn. I don't use the front brake much, rather use the gearbox and rear brake to control slowing, with the front generally lightly applied for the final bit of slowing. For a non-CBS bike, that amount of wear is worrying. 

Sadly, they were unable to complete the service today, so I brought the loan bike home which was a bit of an ordeal on the A1 as it is an unfaired CB500F which is quite difficult to hold on to at 70mph!   

[v8guy]

Originally Posted by Skids

Mildly concerning is that after 16k miles, the front brake pads are 80% worn. I don't use the front brake much, rather use the gearbox and rear brake to control slowing, with the front generally lightly applied for the final bit of slowing. For a non-CBS bike, that amount of wear is worrying. 

Back in November, at around 12k miles, I noticed that I'd hit 100% wear on one of the front brake pads, and about 95% on another. Whilst replacing them I found that one pad on each caliper had seized, leaving the entire braking effort to the other pad, hence causing excessive wear. 

Turned out that my pad inspection was based on the assumption that both pads were wearing at the same rate, largely because I find it very difficult to see the inner pad by squinting along the disc, even with a torch. So I'd seen plenty of life left in a pad that wasn't being used at all.

On a positive note, with new pads, I had to re-learn graceful and sensitive use of the brake lever, to avoid looking like a total n00b with powerful brakes and headbutting the handlebar every time I drew to a stop. 

All that said, I'm not overly reliant on the front brake for stopping either.. I do use the engine a lot, and always combine the front and rear when coming to a stop, but perhaps I'm not avoiding the front brake as much as you say!

Having not done all that many miles on a regular basis for quite a few years, I can barely recall how many miles I'd expect from a set of front pads, but it seems clear that 12k was too few under normal circumstances, for this bike.

[JohnG]

I was warned at my 8000 mile service that the front pads were getting down and now at 11,000 and rechecking them I find they are still OK for now, though I do have replacements in the Garage ready for when they do need replacing.

Strange how everybody's riding style varies so much as I rarely use the rear brake, relying on the front brake and engine braking almost entirely other than the odd time when I feel the rear would help.

[moley]

Removed my brake calipers yesterday to give them the once over and a good clean  and the front pads have 2 mill left on them and the rear 1 mill and that is after 10000 miles . Can't say Im unhappy with that . As I have a large trip coming up in May I have ordered new pads for front and back from Amazon , All sintered and all for under a hundred quid  . I changed the brake fluid too after a years use and it was definitely darker than it should be  so happy I did that . When I was on the Stelvio pass last year My back brake boiled without warning and completely disappeared so I was a bit concerned if any damage had been done but it was just a case of fresh fluid and new pads when they get here and its all good to go

[JohnG]

Under a £100 for a full set of pads!!!! I bought two pairs of EBC "HH" sintered Front pads for the CR as I found these work well on my Blackbird and they cost just over £40.00 including P&P. I'm off to the Stelvio and other Passes in June, hope you have a good trip wherever it is you are going.

[Skids]

Dealer has fitted new front EBC-HH sintered pads, the same as I have used for the last 200k miles or so on all my bikes once the OEM have worn out. Cost less than £25 a set after the discount they gave me. They're just over £28 from EBC Direct.

I did the Stelvio a few years ago on my 08 VFR with no brake issues. Mind you, we went UP the pass rather than down it. 

[moley]

I forgot to mention that list also included 4L of castrol  and an air filter and a funnel so yeh youre about right on the price . Stelvio is def worth a look but beware of mad Italians hell bent on getting up and down it at 80 miles an hour and expecting you to get out of the way . I was doing between 30-35 coming down as I was behind a car and a third of the way down I thought I had lost my rear brake pads somewhere !! Brake just boiled and failed without warning and I was a little concerned that the front was then going to do the same ...Half an hour later ,the brake had cooled and was working perfectly. Have fun man , my trip is a bit further round this year

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by Skids

Dealer has fitted new front EBC-HH sintered pads, the same as I have used for the last 200k miles or so on all my bikes once the OEM have worn out. Cost less than £25 a set after the discount they gave me. They're just over £28 from EBC Direct.

I did the Stelvio a few years ago on my 08 VFR with no brake issues. Mind you, we went UP the pass rather than down it. 

I think I used Sportsbike Shop as EBC wanted about £56 for the two pairs against just over £40 from Sportsbike Shop.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by JohnG

I think I used Sportsbike Shop as EBC wanted about £56 for the two pairs against just over £40 from Sportsbike Shop.

That's a very good price.    Dealer charged me £21 each in the end.

Despite my return journey yesterday late pm being down the A1 from Peterborough, what a fabulous feeling to get back on the X after 100+ miles on the loaner CB500F. Don't get me wrong, it's a great little bike, but trying to hang on at cruise speed for all those miles was hard work.

Then I jumped back on the X and it hit me with such a stark contrast how good the VFR is. Everything is just right, in the right place and works so well. A really comfy riding position, mirrors that do their job fully, braking/handling that is so neutral, controllable and stable and a fairing that works even at slightly above the legal limit!   

I love the Crossrunner, easily the best 800 VFR I've owned. 

[JohnG]

Hi Skids,

Have to agree with you 100%, my Dealer loaned me a CB500 when my CR was in for its 8000 mile Service - felt like a toy, though grateful not having to wait while they did the Service.