2009 R1200RT Rear Brake Pad Wear

[The Rocketman]

I've owned this bike since April 2015. Purchased with 21,269 miles. Have 66,963 today. Always done all my own maintenance.

 

Here's rear brake pad replacement history. Always used the same pads...Carbone Lorraine CL2900X sintered pads:

 

27,292 miles (6,023 miles used by-- me-don't know PO miles) 1-9-2016

49,237 miles (21,945 miles used) 8-27-2020

62,378 miles (13,141 miles used) 6-14-24

66,963 miles (4,585 miles used) 9-30-24

 

First brake pad change I had no history of prior owners mileage/change before that. Next two times still had "some" meat on the pads. Changed them when I thought they looked like they needed changing. This time, down to the backing plate. No brake material left at all.

 

What could account for the premature demise of these pads?

Last 4,500 miles consisted of 3,400 crazy insane riding around Nova Scotia in July, then 1,000 somewhat insane riding in Vermont. When I say "insane" just tons of high peak, elevations and twisty-turny roads.

 

I do not drag my rear brakes, ever. Mostly use the fronts and oftentimes both front and rear.  Possible I did this unconsciously due to the recent terrain?

 

Slide pin cleaned and lubed. Pistons cleaned, lubed and sliding freely. No leaks anywhere. Two caliper clips cleaned and in place correctly. Brake system bled and refreshed regularly. Pads are not hanging up. No unusual sounds, smells or heat from the rear rotor. No vibrations or squealing.

 

Threw another set on the rear today to monitor performance (they're BMW OEM pads, as that's what I had laying around the garage). Thinner pad-inner. Thicker pad-outer, as in the past.

 

[dirtrider]

1 hour ago, The Rocketman said:

I've owned this bike since April 2015. Purchased with 21,269 miles. Have 66,963 today. Always done all my own maintenance.

 

Here's rear brake pad replacement history. Always used the same pads...Carbone Lorraine CL2900X sintered pads:

 

27,292 miles (6,023 miles used by-- me-don't know PO miles) 1-9-2016

49,237 miles (21,945 miles used) 8-27-2020

62,378 miles (13,141 miles used) 6-14-24

66,963 miles (4,585 miles used) 9-30-24

 

First brake pad change I had no history of prior owners mileage/change before that. Next two times still had "some" meat on the pads. Changed them when I thought they looked like they needed changing. This time, down to the backing plate. No brake material left at all.

 

What could account for the premature demise of these pads?

Last 4,500 miles consisted of 3,400 crazy insane riding around Nova Scotia in July, then 1,000 somewhat insane riding in Vermont. When I say "insane" just tons of high peak, elevations and twisty-turny roads.

 

I do not drag my rear brakes, ever. Mostly use the fronts and oftentimes both front and rear.  Possible I did this unconsciously due to the recent terrain?

 

Slide pin cleaned and lubed. Pistons cleaned, lubed and sliding freely. No leaks anywhere. Two caliper clips cleaned and in place correctly. Brake system bled and refreshed regularly. Pads are not hanging up. No unusual sounds, smells or heat from the rear rotor. No vibrations or squealing.

 

Threw another set on the rear today to monitor performance (they're BMW OEM pads, as that's what I had laying around the garage). Thinner pad-inner. Thicker pad-outer, as in the past.

 

Evening The Rocketman

 

If the pads/caliper piston are free (not sticking) then it probably boils down to brake pad material & amount of rear brake used.  

 

If you carried a lot of gear on that motorcycle on your trip then the brake computer was probably using a lot of rear brake with front brake lever apply.  Braking computer automatically balances front/rear braking based on riding factors & weight (traction) on each wheel

 

And/or you used enough rear brake with the front to skew the automatic proportioning in the ABS controller (brake computer).  

 

Also, make sure that your foot (boot) isn't inadvertently contacting the rear brake pedal. I had to lower my 2009 RT brake pedal just a little to prevent boot contact when up on the bars & riding aggressively. 

[The Rocketman]

Understood. Thank you. I actually had just purchased new boots the week before our trip and had to lower the gearshift lever so the toe box would fit under it. Next time out I'll try and see what my other foot is doing. As for weight, I had my daughter (all 125lbs-ish) with me. Top case and panniers were loaded about half the time. So all valid points..