ST1300 brakes

[macpac]

Expert advice requested: I need to replace my ST1300 rear brake pads. Can I get a recommendation or 3 for brand/type?
Thanks.

[DirtFlier]

Use the standard Honda pads and you can't go wrong.  Some of the aftermarket stuff may be cheaper but often times they'll chew a disc to bits.  Do you want to pay now or pay later?   :-) 

[RIDEMYST]

I agree. I tried several aftermarket pads and the Honda brakes outlasted all of them. -JEP-

[macpac]

Thanks all. Happy turkey day.

[roginoz]

I use the OEM pads; they last a long time and provide good braking in my opinion.  If you use a different pad compound than what's being replaced, you need to clean the pad residue off of the rotors.  Install metallic pads after using the OEMs and it'll be really grabby.

[macpac]

Help DIYers!
I thought I knew what I was doing (famous last words) replacing the pads without removing the wheel or caliper. Old pads nearly worn out came out easily. I forced the pistons down using a c-clamp on the old outside pad, and now I have lots of room to get the outside pad in place. But something has forced the caliper to push itself away from the disk so far that it is impossible to get the inside pad in place. I used the c-clamp again to pull it back toward the wheel but there is no room around the clamp left to get the pad in. It looks like maybe the caliper pin could be overextended and wont let me push the caliper back?? Pages 17-38 & 40 ('05 st1300) in the shop manual show this pin.     Any useful advice greatly appreciated.

[DirtFlier]

I've never done pad replacement with the caliper mounted because I like to inspect everything, then clean and grease before reinstalling with new pads. To me a lot of the "on bike" ploys mainly to save time just cause too much aggravation.

[macpac]

Pulling the caliper was my next step.
Thanks. (trying hard to get a ride in this weekend with mild weather).

[roginoz]

I always remove the calipers.  It gives me a chance to spray down the inside of the calipers with brake parts cleaner and brush off the area around the pistons.  It's also easier to make sure that the clip at the front of the caliper is in place.  I replace the caliper pin when I change pads; you can clean off the old one, but they get a bit rough, and it's not much money and the result seems better to me.