Some consider that the most important thing in a motorcycle is the throttle, but equally important are the brakes. 

The good condition of your motorcycle's brakes guarantees your safety. To change the brake pads on your motorcycle yourself, you don't need special knowledge or specialized tools, with the process usually not exceeding thirty minutes.

How often do the brake pads on your motorcycle need to be changed? 

There are no specific intervals at which you should change the brake pads on your motorcycle. The wear of the friction material depends on each person's driving style, the motorcycle, and the quality of the brake pads you use. Do not wait to hear metal-to-metal contact to replace your worn brake pads. In such a case, you should know that the brake disc wears out significantly, and the braking ability of your motorcycle is greatly reduced.

Why do your motorcycle's brake pads "squeal"?

The unpleasant squeal that is sometimes heard when applying the brake is related to the resonance caused by the moving parts and does not indicate wear on the brake pads. To stop this resonance, it often requires experimenting with different brands. 

The spongy feeling when applying the brakes can very well be due to burnt brake pads and can be corrected by replacing them. A brake pad is considered burnt when, although it appears to still have friction material, it does not perform correctly and is characterized by a spongy feeling. The friction material on burnt metallic brake pads takes on a characteristic purple color, while on semi-metallic pads, it melts. The burning of the friction materials is caused by hard use and requires replacement.

Which brake pad compound should you choose?

It would be best to use brake pads with a compound identical to the one recommended by the manufacturer and to consult an expert if you want to replace them with pads that differ from the factory specifications. For example, when the factory recommends pads with a metallic compound, it is not recommended to install pads with a semi-metallic compound. 

A good pair of motorcycle brake pads can significantly improve your motorcycle's braking performance, while a poor-quality pair can have exactly the opposite effect, in addition to wearing out the brake disc much faster. New brake pads (as well as motorcycle tires) require bedding in, and you should do about 300 km / about 150 braking actions with progressive pressure on the lever and pedal, without causing overheating, as in any other case they will not seat properly.