Jap & German Motorcycles

INDEPENDENT BMW MOTORCYCLE SPECIALIST

Phone Number: 02072 372299

Signs Your Motorcycle Brake Pads Are Broken

  • Posted by:
  • Admin
  • Tags:
  • Posted date:
  • 29-09-2023
Signs Your Motorcycle Brake Pads Are Broken

We look at signs your motorcycle brake pads are broken. From squealing sounds to reduced braking performance, our guide helps you identify potential issues with your bike's brake system. Don't compromise on safety – recognize the red flags early.

 The Brake Lever Is Soft Or Spongy

A motorcycle's braking system is crucial for ensuring a safe ride. A typical warning sign that something might be wrong is if your brake lever feels unusually soft or spongy when you pull it. This noticeable change in resistance can suggest that your motorcycle's brake pads are damaged or worn out. If it's unexpectedly easy to pull the lever, and there's minimal stopping power, then it might be time to consider replacing your brake pads.

The brake lever might also feel spongy due to the presence of air in your brake fluid lines; this could reduce the braking effectiveness of your motorcycle. You can usually address this problem by bleeding the brake fluid to remove any air.

However, if after doing this the brake lever still feels spongy, your brake pads are likely worn out. Your brake pads are an essential component of your motorcycle's braking system. If they're not functioning correctly, they can pose a serious safety risk. Therefore, if you notice a soft or spongy brake lever, you should prioritise checking and possibly replacing your brake pads to prevent potentially dangerous situations on the road.

 Issues With The Brake Pedals

Identifying issues with your brake pads is essential for your safety on the road, and paying attention to the brake pedals can be key to this. If you experience abnormal vibrations when applying the brakes, this could point to a problematic situation.

These unusual vibrations might be a result of worn brake pads, causing the brake pedals to come into contact with the rotor, a component that should remain untouched under normal circumstances.

Another potential indicator of compromised brake pads could be difficulties you experience when attempting to stop your motorcycle - if your motorcycle requires longer to stop than usual, this is often a solid indication that your brake pads demand inspection or possibly, replacement. 

Signs Your Motorcycle Brake Pads Are Broken

These issues can quickly become dangerous, especially when you need to brake quickly or under critical conditions; as a result, it's strongly advised to make sure that your brake pads are maintained. When the brake pads of a vehicle become excessively worn, this can sometimes lead to the brake pedal feeling soft or less resistant under the foot. This is often due to the brake pads becoming uneven and flat against the worn discs.

However, the disc's deterioration or a problematic hydraulic system may be the more frequent causes rather than the brake pads themselves. Brake pedals might not feel as responsive when there's a need for a sudden stop; if you feel as though your motorcycle isn't stopping quickly enough when applying the brakes, it could be an indicator of a leak in your brake system.

Prolonged use of brakes without completely stopping can also contribute to a softer brake pedal - this is because the continuous contact generated between the brake pads and rotors over lengthy distances can cause a tremendous build-up of heat. As a result, the brake system's ability to create the necessary friction for stopping the vehicle diminishes over time; therefore, it's always beneficial to get your brakes checked regularly.

 They Make a Grinding Sound

An unusual grinding sound coming from your motorcycle's brakes may indicate that your brake pads are damaged or broken. The grinding noise serves as a warning signal that the brake pads are excessively worn. As a result, you may notice metal scraping against metal within the braking system; this can be potentially dangerous, increasing existing issues with your brakes if it's not fixed quickly. The sound of grinding is produced when worn-down brake pads allow their backing plates to come into direct contact with the brake rotors.

To maintain your bike's safety standards, replacing the worn-out brake pads should be your first response.  If you didn't pay heed to the earlier squealing sign that your motorcycle's brake pads are thinning, you'll soon hear a more severe sound - this heavy, metallic growling or grinding noise indicates that your pads have worn down to the point of depletion. The harsh grinding noise originates from the metal plate rubbing against the rotor; this could scratch or damage your rotors, even causing the metal to fuse, which might result in your brakes sticking.

 The Brakes Are Clunky

Riding a motorcycle with a problematic brake system can be quite unsettling - one warning sign to watch out for is a clunky or clattering noise whenever you use your brakes. This noise often suggests that your motorcycle's brake pads may have worn away completely or are on the brink of breaking.

Continuing to ride your motorcycle with dysfunctional brake pads poses a severe safety risk, with the potential to cause extensive damage to your motorcycle if left unchecked.

Sometimes, you might feel a sudden jerk or halt even with the slightest touch of the braking system. This erratic behaviour could imply that your rotors have deteriorated unevenly, meaning that you need a brake fluid replacement.

The Brakes Are Clunky - We Look At Signs Your Motorcycle Brake Pads Are Broken

Alternatively, if you find yourself exerting extra pressure on the pedal, almost touching the motorcycle's floor to activate your brakes, then you're possibly dealing with another issue altogether; this could indicate the presence of air in your brake fluid, low brake fluid levels, dangerously thin brake pads, or a malfunction in your motorcycle's hydraulic system.

Whether it's the clunky noise or the need to excessively push the pedal, these signs necessitate immediate attention. It's advisable to take your motorcycle to a mechanic for a check-up. Riding with broken brake pads is not only risky but can also lead to more significant issues.

 Pulling To One Side

A worrying and potentially dangerous situation can occur if you notice your motorcycle pulling to one side each time you use the brakes. This is often an indicator that one of your motorcycle's brake pads might be more worn out than the other, leading your vehicle to lean to one side as you stop. This issue means that your motorcycle has a skewed brake balance, and this could result in your bike veering in one direction when trying to stop.

It's important to fix this issue immediately, making the necessary checks and repairs as soon as possible. Neglected worn brake pads pose a significant risk since they could rapidly transform into a dangerous road hazard, particularly if you need to brake quickly. To avoid encountering more severe problems in the future, maintaining a regular inspection of your brake pads and replacing them promptly when needed is non-negotiable.

This routine ensures that your motorbike always delivers safe rides and continues to operate at its best performance. Alternatively, if your motorcycle leans to one side, it could also indicate that there may be unwanted debris in your brake fluid.; in this scenario, it's necessary to drain and replace the fluid. Remember, the safety and longevity of your motorcycle depend enormously on its regular maintenance and your attention to detail.


Jap & German Motorcycles provides the best BMW motorcycle services in and around West London. Whatever you require, our team can assist you with everything from BMW motorbike repairs to providing motorbike spare parts.