Brake Pads

[EZdriver]

I see these for sale on Amazon:1986-2003 Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII Kevlar Carbon Front & Rear Brake Pads
Anyone used them and if so, are they good. I'm a carbon/Kevlar kinda guy.

[onegunguitar]

I just put a set of Gafler's on the back of mine. Semi sintered....they work great,even in wet weather.

[Lance McCaw]

I just put the Double HH pads by EBC on and stainless lines. Huge difference.

[debron]

It's hard to pin these down. There are no reviews on Amazon nor anyplace else. The seller in the Amazon listing (D2Moto, Inc.) gives their store name as the brand, but on their website they list them as Volar Motorsport pads. For the price (if that's your objective/appeal) and if you can get them with free shipping, it's worth a try. Report back if you do.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

I've ran a few sets of the Volar Organic pads on my XII. I get between 8 & 10k miles a set (about 2 sessions for me historically). I just got a pair of semi-metallic and will be installing them this weekend. I've ran the organics and accepted the fact that I'll go thru them rather quickly as for me its an economical choice, $20-35 every other year verses the cost of a rotor!
The pads stop me and my loaded Time-Out camper (NO elec brakes on trailer) but then I don't race my bike or try stunts so I feel safe running them.

[ghostler]

I see these for sale on Amazon:1986-2003 Kawasaki ZG 1200 Voyager XII Kevlar Carbon Front & Rear Brake Pads. Anyone used them and if so, are they good. I'm a carbon/Kevlar kinda guy.

You mean http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XLCPIY for $17 shipping included. So far they work for me, replaced back pads, quieter and tear up the rotor disk less than the semi-metallics. Seems a previous owner only knew how to use the back brakes. Front still look fairly new.
Can't say on life expectancy, but $17 for 3 sets you can't go wrong.

[EZdriver]

Thanks for the replies. I only have 5700 miles on my '94 XII but the front brakes make a grinding noise as I come to a stop.. I shut down the engine a lot as I'm stopping, putting down the kickstand at the same time as I roll to a stop. The pads on there were new in '94 but I think I can save the rotors from unneeded wear now. Carbon/Kevlar pads will last a lifetime if they're made right. All the NASCAR cars use them.
I'll post my findings. Thanks, all.
Hey, for $17, how can I to wrong? Just so you know, I'm not throwing away the old ones... :)

[grayblob]

I bought a pair of these pads for my '86 a couple months ago. So far, so good. It's been pretty dry here for most of the summer, so I don't know how they would work in the rain.

[EZdriver]

Thanks. I'll do the same. Give them a shot.

[ghostler]

They work fine in the rain for me.

[Mr Jensee]

I bought EBC pads from the Kawasaki dealer last year. I don't remember if they are organic or metallic but they work fine and they didn't cost all that much.

[voyager55]

EBC FA 85

[ghostler]

My $17 set from Amazon.com says Volar Motorsport VBP013.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

UPDATE:
I installed the new Volar semi-metallic pads on the rear of my Voyager 1200 Sunday morning. Pad fit is exact to other brands no issues or concerns. After caliper was reinstalled and brakes pumped up solid I took the bike for a quick ride to test them out. First time I've ever been able to lock up the rear wheel. Did it a couple times and I am very satisfied with them at this point in time.

[EZdriver]

Thanks!! I'll post my results...

[EZdriver]

I installed the new Volar Motorsports carbon/Kevlar pads and cured (broke in) them by dragging the brakes for a couple of blocks, then let them cool, then repeat. The next day after overnight cooling, I notice an immediate improvement in braking power. Very smooth and quiet. The old pads had a slight grinding noise at the stop. One thing I did notice is the metal brackets were of lighter gauge steel and the pads were thicker than stock. So, for now, it's a positive. I'm going on a 1000+ mile four day weekend ride and that will ring them out. I'll report back.

[ghostler]

I broke my rear set on an 1,800 mile (2,950 kmh) journey. Encountered a combination of weather to include rain. Brakes worked fine, I'm a happy camper.

[kjsett]

Ok, I looked in Dollar 4 Dollar... Nothing on Front Brake pads.
Looked at several threads...people like EBC FA85hh, but i found too many questions looking at Amazon and other sites.
Are these Sintered or Semi-sintered (Amazon didn't say-somewhere else indicated sintered). When I looked at reviews (only 7), half were for 500cc bikes(?????).
Is there an exact part number somewhere? How did the Volar Kevlars work out? I saw many listings that many showed a picture of a different shaped pad(???), yet all said they may fit my bike (MAY??). Wasted a lot of time on this.
I ride an '03 pulling a too loaded (on trips) clam-shell trailer. My travels take me from over 100F desert to 35F in drizzle to outright pouring rain (Oregon of course).
With 55k now and pads that look like some meat, but not a lot, I figure it's time to replace before we head out in just over 3 weeks for Estes (leaving early for some grandson time).
Thanks for all opinions and help in advance.
Ken

Update: D4D has the rears listed: Rear Brake Pads (set) EBC Rear Brake Pads PUFA85HH (sintered, high friction). I guess I presume that the fronts are also sintered. Just curious why not listed in D4D. I am not ragging on anyone. I really appreciate the research that is reflected there.

[debron]

Front and rear brake pads are the same. Though not listed on their website, NorCal Voyagers has Galfer brake pads at a pretty good price though for pulling a heavy trailer (brakes on the trailer??) you might be better off with the aggressive FA85HH.

[ghostler]

Are these Sintered or Semi-sintered (Amazon didn't say-somewhere else indicated sintered). When I looked at reviews (only 7), half were for 500cc bikes(?????). Is there an exact part number somewhere? How did the Volar Kevlars work out? I saw many listings that many showed a picture of a different shaped pad(???), yet all said they may fit my bike (MAY??).
Wasted a lot of time on this.

I ride an '03 pulling a too loaded (on trips) clam-shell trailer. My travels take me from over 100F desert to 35F in drizzle to outright pouring rain (Oregon of course). With 55k now and pads that look like some meat, but not a lot, I figure it's time to replace before we head out in just over 3 weeks for Estes (leaving early for some grandson time). Thanks for all opinions and help in advance. Ken

Ken, I think that this Amazon listing of the same pads I bought states what you are looking for. Cost is now $14.70 with shipping included: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XLCPIY

The are Kevlar non-sintered.

Product Description

• Kevlar Carbon Brake Pads
• Made with Kevlar
• Provide excellent stopping power without noise and rotor galling, even on polished rotors
• Fingertip control and strong, predictable brake response
• Material: Non-sintered / Organic
• Quantity: 6 Brake Pads per package
• Position: Front and Rear
• Fitment: 1986-2003 Kawasaki ZG 1200 A1/A2/B1-B4/B6-B17 (Voyager XII)

Pads seemed thicker than new OEM ones. The rear now has a couple thousand miles on it and is holding up well, brakes strong but without the slight scraping sound of the OEM semi-metallics that it replaced. Put them on my front, put about 600 miles on them the past 2 weeks, seem to brake better than the OEM. Was easy to break in. Braking action is positive with good response, better than the OEM. I'm really happy with them.