Goldfren brake pads, anyone use them?

[Taipan]

Long (brakes) story short I was saying to someone I used OEM pads these days as I've had issues with EBC pads and their fit in the past. He replies I haven't used EBC for years either, typically I use Goldfren for street and SBS for track. So I made the Goldfren/TEMU joke and he said he knows more people that use Goldfren than EBC and to look into it. So I did and yes there are plenty of goldfren fans out there but, tbf, plenty of haters too? Anyway, I went for OEM as usual, but out of interest, are there any users of Gold Fren pads on here?

[KungFooBob]

Better that no brakes I suppose.

I'm sure I fitted some to something once, but I can't remember what or when. I do remember they were total shite.

[Taff]

No, on this Honda I'm a fan of the OE pads up front, they are expensive but work well and last a lot longer than any ebc that I've ever used.

I may try the goldfren in the rear when it's due

[weeksy]

Fitted once, wife did 5 miles, we threw them in the bin. I wouldn't even give them away for free.

[mangocrazy]

Never used Goldfren, heard lots of horror stories about them. If not OE, I'd buy SBS. They do a complete range and they're not just for track use.

[v8-powered]

When I purchased my BMW it had a nice new set of OEM discs but bloody GoldFren pads - even after a few hundred miles had no bite and feel, chucked in the bin and fitted some EBC HH.

But then again a very fast racer mate who was racing endurance with HMRC had them on his race bike to my horror! Perhaps that's why he was quick, couldn't brake????

[KungFooBob]

By far the worst brake pads I ever used were Armstrong, made Goldfrens feel like Bembos.

[silver991]

Goldfren pads? I’ve heard some people like them, but honestly, I’ve never had a good experience. They just don’t have the bite or feel I’m after. I’d stick with OEM or SBS if I were you, just seems safer overall.

[Felix]

Got them in the back. They work but god knows whats in the front. They stop also what is handy.

[Taipan]

I fitted SBS street pads to a bike (KTM690?) and binned them shortly after. I find sintered pads vague and lacking bite when cold, or in normal road use, compared to organic compounds and SBS were the worse I've ridden with. So if gold fren are like that i'll deffo avoid them!

The problem i have is, its getting hard to get organic compound pads for anything other than scooters now. I did manage to get Ferado eco friction (semi sintered ?) for my Africa twin, which coincidently are the same pads as the X-ADV, but couldn't find then for the X-ADV when I looked. I've held off ordering OEM for now as I've reminded myself that the AT & X-ADV uses the same pads as a few other smaller bikes, so i'll do some x-reffing for organic compounds.

[mangocrazy]

As my learned fiend Mr ToePain alludes to, it's getting really hard to find organic pads now. I've got ductile iron discs on the VFR and the Falco and sintered pads are nasty and grabby on DI and also wear them out very quickly, so organic are the only option. I've managed to source a spare set of Performance Friction 95 compound pads (all the way from the USA!) but when they've worn out I don't know what I'll use.

It's a worry...

[Whysub]

Not used Goldfren but now using Brembo Greenance in my NC after the original pads wore down to the thickness of fag papers in under 20,000 kms (12,000 miles). Feel better than the standard Honda pads, so I have also bought a set for the Street Triple, but not put them in yet.

I did have a set of EBC sintered pads in Kawasaki GT550 once that wore to the metal backing in less that 500 miles but they were found to be fake (supplied and fitted by a well know South London bike shop that cartered for dozens of despatchers).

[Scotsrich]

None of the things I won’t buy cheap.

All the more because they’re not exactly something you buy regularly.

[Ian]

As my learned fiend Mr ToePain alludes to, it's getting really hard to find organic pads now. I've got ductile iron discs on the VFR and the Falco and sintered pads are nasty and grabby on DI and also wear them out very quickly, so organic are the only option. I've managed to source a spare set of Performance Friction 95 compound pads (all the way from the USA!) but when they've worn out I don't know what I'll use.

It's a worry...

Ferodo Platinum P say they are suitable for Iron.
I've been using them for years admittedly after I fucked my iron discs with EBCs.
They are very consistent wet or dry, don't grab and last ages

https://www.ferodoracing.com/products/m ... comparison

[mangocrazy]

As my learned fiend Mr ToePain alludes to, it's getting really hard to find organic pads now. I've got ductile iron discs on the VFR and the Falco and sintered pads are nasty and grabby on DI and also wear them out very quickly, so organic are the only option. I've managed to source a spare set of Performance Friction 95 compound pads (all the way from the USA!) but when they've worn out I don't know what I'll use.

It's a worry...

Ferodo Platinum P say they are suitable for Iron.
I've been using them for years admittedly after I fucked my iron discs with EBCs.
They are very consistent wet or dry, don't grab and last ages

https://www.ferodoracing.com/products/m ... comparison

Unfortunately they don't seem to do a Platinum compound in the fitment I require (FDB2120). They only offer Sinter (ST) or a racing compound (XRAC). If it was available it would be FDB2120P, but it's not A Thing, unfortunately.

[KungFooBob]

IIRC you've got PFM's. When I bought mine PFM recommended organics, but there was one brand of approved sintered pads. Bendix (my rubbish memory says MMR). Oddly the Bendix pads didn't wear the discs, but they did wear themselves super fast. I'd only get one and a half trackdays out of a set.

[mangocrazy]

IIRC you've got PFM's. When I bought mine PFM recommended organics, but there was one brand of approved sintered pads. Bendix (my rubbish memory says MMR). Oddly the Bendix pads didn't wear the discs, but they did wear themselves super fast. I'd only get one and a half trackdays out of a set.

Yeah, PFMs. Currently running PFC 95 compound, which are fine except for the fact they are almost impossible to get hold of over here (they're Merkin made). SBS offer the 762HF ceramic compound but seeing them as being 'Designed for commuters, general-purpose street and cruiser bikes' doesn't fill me with a great deal of confidence.

Perhaps Brembo will have something suitable.

[KungFooBob]

Dunno about the VFR, but doesn't the Fatso have 'Goldlines'?

Every manufacturer must make pads for Goldlines?

[mangocrazy]

The Fajita normally has Goldlines, but I've swapped them for the 4 pad/4 piston Brembos off the RSV R and Ducati 999/749. The VFR has the same calipers cos I like decent brakes on a big old tourer.

[Bigyin]

I only ever put Goldfren in the rear calliper of the 636 as I never used the thing as the fronts were so good the rear would skip about if the rear caliper was applied. They last 30000 miles and were on the bike when I sold it on