RC51 Mods HRC Pads Review
Forget about at new calipers, master cylinders , iron rotors & such... Simply buy a set of the HRC pads:
Part
# 45105-NL3-621 (hard initial bite & the most popular choice)
Part # 45106-NL3-621 (softer intitial bite)
I always
thought the RC51's brakes were the best I had ever experienced on
a stock bike & even though I had entertained the idea of
adding some aftermarket calipers & rotors to the bike for
both improved performance & the cool factor I must say after
experiencing the HRC pads that I will never deviate from the
set-up I have now! If they quit making these pads then I'm going
to give up riding altogether
The linear feel of the pads is unbelievable & they just scream stopping power! These are probably the best pads I have ever used on a Stainless Steel rotor.
They are kind of pricey & really don't last all that long compared to some other premium brands, but they just make the good brakes on the RC51 even better & most importantly I like the way they perform as they give me confidence which is priceless to me
There are 2 different types of HRC pads one with a hard initial bite & the other where the bite is softer. While the vast majority of riders prefer the hard initial bite I personally prefer the latter as it suits my riding style better. I like to trailbrake very late into the turn & I don't mean just applying the brakes & tipping into the turn sometimes I even apply the brake long after I have already initiated the turn & with the harder biting pads the front end dives as the brake pads grab which as you know isn't a good thing when you are already at or near full lean mid-turn. The softer biting pads allow me to apply the brakes more gradually, but they still have tons of braking force.
& Yes I use them on both the street & track.
| The following
is an excerpt from an HRC pad user: These
pads are twice the price of the stock pads and are
intended for track use. Most of us that own them use them
for the track and that just isn't normal mileage so
results will vary greatly. I noticed a nice difference
from the stock pads and am very happy with the purchase
(Mine are the hard initial bite pads). I also had a
warping problem with the stock pads, after the first few
track days I found the pad backing had warped and was
casuing a lot of brake-drag. The HRC units are built with
a thicker backing plate to reduce warping and less pad
material as a trade-off. They will not last as long as
the stock pads but the stopping power is nice and the
late braking is worth it for me. My bike is a street
bike/ track day bike, the last 5K miles have been split
evenly between the two. The pads are fine on the street
but it does seem like they need a little warm up before
they really grab, the stock pads seemed a little better
for those first couple stops. Wear depends completely on the
rider and the track, temp and or use. What I like about
the HRC pads over stock is the ability to trail brake the
front wheel as hard as I want while leaned over and
continuing to have complete control. This helps me
determine what lean angle I choose to apex a turn, the
speed I choose to do it with, and ultimately determines
the level of confidence I have in the bikes ability to
respond to my commands. |
Available
from Kyle Racing
831-394-1330
