EBC “race only” pads on the street? What’s the worst could happen?

[JMardy]

I’m setting up a Ducati 848 for street use.
I had a leftover set of EBC GPFAXHH race pads.
Not being someone who usually follows warnings, what’s wrong with using these on the street?

 

[ST Guy]

Usually race pads don’t work very well until they get hot. Or at all. When you grab a big handful of brake, you very well may find you cant stop.

I wouldn’t run them on the street.

 

[Enchanter]

I limited experience with race pads on a 165lb motorcycle, but I learned the hard way on a car…

When cold, the braking wasn’t any worse than a regular street pad, and much better when warm (1-2 stops). The issue was that when not up to temperature race compounds are MUCH more abrasive to the brake rotors. I wore out the brake rotors in about 25% of their intended life.

When at the optimum operating temperature they would transfer pad material onto the rotors, improving braking and life of the rotors. Below that temperature the pad material would just directly contact the rotors and wear them out faster.

 

[JMardy]

Thanks guys.
Will actually listen to good advice for once.

 

[ST Guy]

My friend runs Wilwood brakes and race pads on his 1965 Mustang track car. When he occasionally drives it on the street, he really has to lean on the brake pedal to get it to stop. But on the track, where he can get heat into the brakes and maintain that heat, his brakes are awesome.

 

[stangmx13]

Ask people that have actually used the pad. Every pad compound is very different.

I've run a handful of race pad compounds. Vesrah XX - worked great in all conditions and would be amazing on the street. Vesrah SRJL17 - I did use these on the street. I was nowhere close to dying, but they were wooden in the cold and I wouldn't recommended it. SBS DC - absolutely no braking force in the cold or wet so you'd probably die on the street.

I have not used the GPFA so I will defer to people that have.

 

[It's Wes]

I've run those HH pads and IMO they stop well enough cold to not be dangerous on the street. The thing @Enchanter said about accelerated wear makes sense though...