Motorcycle Clutch and Brake Pads
To become familiar with motorcycle clutch and brake pads, it must first be understood that two of the most important components in any vehicle are its brake and clutch systems. Without brakes and clutches, no vehicle can be moved from one place to another because clutches are essential for movement and brakes are necessary for stopping. Motorcycles are no exception to this rule.

Moreover, since motorcycles are considered high-risk vehicles, having high safety standards in their spare parts is of great importance. Therefore, having a good brake and clutch system is one of the main conditions for improving safety in motorcycles. For this reason, using high-quality brake and clutch pads is recommended to motorcyclists—a recommendation unfortunately often ignored by many, leading to irreversible consequences.

In this article, we aim to briefly review the features and functions of motorcycle brake and clutch pads.

What is a Motorcycle Brake Pad?
A brake pad is a component made of special fabric and compounds, attached with special adhesives onto the brake caliper. Its function is such that when you press the brake, the pad contacts the brake disc, and the friction generated by this contact reduces the wheel speed, resulting in the motorcycle stopping.

In the past, asbestos was the key raw material used in brake pad production. Asbestos had very high temperature resistance, but its main problem was that it would powder when braking, releasing particles harmful to the environment. Over time, after proving asbestos is highly toxic and carcinogenic, today brake pads are made from various compounds such as metal wool, glass fibers, and a special type of rubber.

Types of Motorcycle Brake Pads:
After introducing motorcycle brake pads and their characteristics, it’s good to take a quick look at their types. After asbestos was banned, these pads are mainly classified into three types based on their main raw material:

Asbestos-Free Brake Pads:
Lacking asbestos makes these pads environmentally friendly. They are also very soft and silent. The main drawback is that they can emit unpleasant odors and lose effectiveness at high temperatures.

Semi-Metallic Brake Pads:
These pads, depending on their materials, are quiet and have a good friction coefficient. They perform well in various weather conditions. They offer a balanced performance in all aspects, which makes them somewhat more expensive than ordinary pads.

Ceramic Brake Pads:
Their most important feature is outstanding performance at high temperatures, which is why they are mostly used in racing motorcycles. They also perform well in different weather conditions, are silent, and have a long lifespan. Ceramic pads are considered the standard type of motorcycle brake pads, but their only downside is their high cost.

What is a Motorcycle Clutch?
The motorcycle clutch is one of the essential components designed for shifting gears or stopping the vehicle. It acts like a lever and serves as a force transmission mechanism. Overall, the clutch is a frictional connection between the engine, as the energy source, and the motorcycle’s gearbox.

How Does the Clutch Work?
The clutch temporarily disconnects the engine from the drivetrain and transmission system, allowing the rear wheel to move. Without this component, gear motorcycles cannot move because when the clutch lever is pulled in, springs on the clutch plate compress, separating the steel plates so they can rotate independently.

Types of Clutches:
Clutches are generally categorized into two types: dry clutches and wet clutches.

Dry Clutch:
Designed for motorcycles with lower torque, dry clutches are not immersed in oil or lubricants and operate completely dry. They generally perform better than wet clutches but have lower durability. Their main advantage is that they do not waste engine power due to the absence of oil.

Wet Clutch:
These clutches are immersed in lubricants to reduce wear and smooth operation. Their structure is similar to dry clutches except that friction plates are continuously lubricated by oil. They produce less noise than dry clutches because the oil reduces the friction coefficient.

In wet clutches, oil circulates constantly, allowing faster heat transfer. Therefore, the clutch plates can endure longer slip times. Wet clutches also have longer service life and require less maintenance. They occupy less space, which makes manufacturers prefer wet clutches for motorcycle production.

What is a Motorcycle Clutch Plate?
The clutch plate is a round disk that contacts the clutch disk (a ring-shaped part inside the clutch housing, fixed by clutch springs and several tabs or pins). Around the clutch plate, brake pads are riveted to the wavy spring plates of the clutch plate. The pads also have grooves designed for better cooling and to prevent overheating. The degree of engagement and the friction surface area of the pads, whether in brakes or clutches, show the importance of raw material quality, technical features, manufacturing process, brand, and more.

Mana Tormoz Mashin and Motorcycle Clutch & Brake Pad Production
Mana Tormoz Mashin is proud that, in addition to other products, it specializes in manufacturing brake and clutch pads for various motorcycles and is a leading producer in the country.