Well, after tearing into the 400ex ( I bought 2 weeks ago) I have been doing the much needed maintainance . While doing so, I found out that I had 3.5 pads for the brakes. Pretty ugly sight. I think I can salvage the caliper so I am trying to find brakes. My wonderful local dealer doesn't have any but can get me some for $28 a side. Do I have any other alternative?( I know yes, but..) Has anyone used the brakes you can find on ebay for I think $12 a side? If I remember right I ran across someone else on ebay that had them for $36. Just trying to find out what most or some of you are using. Thanks..

 

I have a 99 ex that I bought new in 99 and I am still running the stock front pads. I changed the back out last year, they wore wore pretty good though they had still not gotten to the indicator mark on the pad. I have rode this bike a lot as well, though I have always gone around the mud when possible. So in my opinion the stock pads are worth it.

 

I have never replaced 400EX pads but I can tell you based on many years of wrenching on Honda dirt and road motorcycles that the Honda OEM pads are always much better, longer lasting, better fit than any after market pad that I have tried. So I guess the question is are they worth it. I think so.

 

I had an 86' Honda TRX 350 Foreman 4x4 (my first atv) that the brakes went out on me in 2005 , it had the drum type brakes 2 on the front and 1 on rear instead of disc's like your ex ; the rear brakes were still like new and the front shoes still had over 3/4's of lining left on them ! But the front cylinders were frozen beyond repair,as were the keeper spring's and all the mounting hardware , local honda dealer wanted $69.99 per cylinder and $29.99 per side for new shoe's + 7 percent sales tax ; total $213.96 this was such a shock to me that i didn't even ask for a price on the keeper springs and mounting hardware ! I chose to search for parts on ebay , and i was lucky enough to find a seller who was auctioning off 2 brand new complete front Brake backing plate assemblies for $250.00 for the pair, these were New"OEM Honda Factory assemblies" , already assembled with everthing new ( cylinders,shoes,keeper springs and barke lines) ! Starting bid was $250.00 and i was lucky nobody else made a bid on them but me , and it was a free shipping deal , i checked with local dealer for a price quote and it was $279.98 per side + tax ; so i would try ebay just check seller feedback and know what and who you're dealing with and what you're getting before you bid ! I always use paypal on all my ebay purchases , because paypal will refund your money , then they will go after any sleazy saler/dealer as long as you're have a paypal account in good standing ! Good luck, and here's hoping you're as lucky as i was ! .......................williebee

 

Yeah, I guess you get what you pay for. I called the Honda dealer back and he said he found some EBC. They work great on my VTX 1800 so I might give em a try. Thanks for everyones input..

 

I just bought tusk brake pads from rocky mountain and they're pretty good. I think I paid about 58$ for pads all the way around.