I've got a brand new Monster 696 but I noticed the brake pad friction material thickness is very very thin compared to say brake pads for a small car. I'd say the thickness for each pad was comparable to about 10-20 pages of paper. I can see all of the pistons extended. I talked to a few riders and racers and they said their pads are generally much thicker.
Is this normal for the stock pads to be this thin? Should I buy new pads? EBC, Ferrodo, or any other suggestions?
The braking on my 696 is very progressive, not mushy. Once I feel the lever/pedal "stop" due to resistance, I jam them down more and more to lock up the wheels.
If you are happy with the performance keep what you have.
I can see the pistons from outside of the caliper, I just want to make sure the pads I have are safe to use and if it is normal. I've worked/raced/driven cars and the pads are much thicker and you should not see much of the pistons (if at all) with new pads.
As for the stopping performance, I've only ridden 3 different types of bikes. Honda CB125 and Honda Nighthawk 250 (both during the MSF course) and my 696. The brake feel from the lever/pedal feels about the "same"
I used some feeler gauges to get an approximate thickness, and it came to be just under 3mm. I heard that the front pads should be replaced at 2mm. I've logged just under 20 miles total and I don't ride the brakes.
I looked up the Brembo web site and there was a spec of 8.4mm for one type of pads and 9mm for another type designed for our front 4-piston calipers.
I may just get new Ferodo or EBC pads next year.
So it's a brand new bike, with only 20 miles, and you're worried about the brake pads?
Am I missing something here?