Brake pads for Yamaha XJR 1200 & XJR 1300

Brake pads for Yamaha XJR 1200 & XJR 1300: specialist recommendations

Organic versus sintered pads

Advice to use only organic pads because sintered material damages discs dates partly from 20–30 years ago, when many motorcycles used cast-iron discs. That technology has not been common on modern production motorcycles for decades.

Modern discs are designed for sintered pads. Over 95% of current production motorcycles leave the factory with sintered pads. Modern road sintered compounds do not excessively attack discs, unlike certain racing compounds.

Why we recommend sintered pads

The XJR is a heavy, powerful naked bike. Compared with organic pads, sintered options offer stronger braking and a more stable pressure point, very little bedding-in time, reduced glazing concerns, much greater temperature resistance and reduced fading risk.

Anyone who has experienced weak brakes before a hairpin after a long descent on organic pads knows how critical this can feel. Modern sintered compounds are much less affected and can maintain stopping performance at high temperatures.

Why organic pads are not actively promoted here

For this weight and performance class, we consider organic compounds less appropriate in performance and thermal stability. The shop therefore mainly offers modern sintered pads. Organic pads are available only by specific enquiry and subject to availability.

If you need help choosing a compound, we can advise from more than two decades of XJR experience.

Additional information

Brake pads for your Yamaha XJR 1200 and XJR 1300 from the XJR specialist.

Back to the category introduction