EBC FA185 Brake Pads Fit RX3 Front Brake Caliper

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 01:31 AM

I currently own the following motorcycles, in addition to my two Zongshen motorcycles.

2004 Honda CRF250X
2005 Honda XR650L
1998 Kawasaki KDX220

All the Japanese bikes listed above employ the EBC FA185 brake pads in the front brake caliper. For a while I have suspected the EBC FA185 brake pads will also fit the front brake caliper of my Zongshen RX3. Today I tested the EBC brake pads, and they fit perfectly.

In addition, I was able to install the EBC brake pads using the stock pad spring of the Zongshen caliper.

The EBC FA185 brake pads are one of the most popular brake pads being manufactured. Here is a short list of the many motorcycles which employ these brake pads in the front brake caliper.

Honda Motorcycles

CRF230F
CRF230L
CRF250R
CRF250X
NX250
XR250R
XR250L
XR400R
CRF450R
CRF450X
XR600R
XR650R
XR650L

Suzuki Motorcycles

DR-Z400E
DR-Z400S
DR650SE

These brake pads also fit many Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Beta motorcycles.

On my RX3 I installed a spare set of Neutron, sintered brake pads which I bought from Rocky Mountain ATV for $9.25. I had previously purchased these brake pads for my two Honda motorcycles.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...d-Metal?v=2824

These pads work great! They stop the RX3 very well, and they are manufactured to a higher standard than the stock brake pads.

Here is a photograph of the stock brake pads, the Neutron, sintered brake pads, and a Honda pad spring.

I first tried installing the Neutron brake pads with the Honda pad spring, which fits my Honda CRF250X, and Honda XR650L, front brake calipers. The Neutron brake pads would not fit with the Honda pad spring.

Next, I installed the Neutron brake pads without either pad spring, and they fit okay. Finally, I decided to try installing the Neutron brake pads with the stock, Zongshen pad spring, and the neutron brake pads fit perfectly.

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 01:40 AM

I went for a ride to test the FA185 brake pads, and they worked very well.

Here are several photographs showing the Neutron brake pads installed in the front brake caliper of my RX3.

The copper color of the backing plate makes it very easy to inspect the thickness of the brake pads.

If you want to increase the stopping power of the front brake, I highly recommend you purchase these sintered brake pads. You can buy EBC FA185 brake pads, or you can buy any aftermarket, sintered brake pads which fit any of the Japanese motorcycles I listed above.

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 01:53 AM

The RX3 motorcycles imported to the United States by CSC have the latest, rear brake caliper. The U.S. bikes use the EBC FA496 brake pads employed by the following Japanese motorcycles.

Honda CBR250R, CBR300R, CB300F, CBR650F

Suzuki GW250, SFV650

The EBC FA496HH brake pads are made with sintered metal.

rtking · 11-14-2015, 02:53 AM

Thanks Spud! That opens up a lot of options for those looking for more braking power from the RX3!

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 03:44 AM

You're welcome.

superdude · 11-14-2015, 01:48 PM

Hi Spud. Been waiting for this post from you with much anticipation. Thanks for doing this it is much appreciated. So if I read you right, you said you installed the stock caliper spring WITH the ebc 185 pads? And then also you used stock spring for neutron pads as well? Which pads are you gonna end up running the ebc or neutron? If you did indeed get the stock caliper spring to fit the ebc pads I need to go out to my garage right now and try getting it to fit again. Thanks!

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdude

Hi Spud. Been waiting for this post from you with much anticipation. Thanks for doing this it is much appreciated. So if I read you right, you said you installed the stock caliper spring WITH the ebc 185 pads?...

Yes, I used the stock, Zongshen pad spring when I installed the Neutron brake pads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdude

...And then also you used stock spring for neutron pads as well?...

Yes, the Neutron brake pads are the same size as EBC FA185 brake pads.

EBC FA185 brake pads are the same size as many Honda brake pads. I bought the Neutron brake pads for my 2004 Honda CRF250X. However, the Neutron brake pads also fit my 2005 Honda XR650L.

I used the stock, Zongshen pad spring to install these Honda brake pads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdude

...Which pads are you gonna end up running the ebc or neutron? If you did indeed get the stock caliper spring to fit the ebc pads I need to go out to my garage right now and try getting it to fit again. Thanks!

The Neutron brake pads work great, and are an excellent value, so I am going to keep using them, instead of spending more money for EBC FA185 brake pads.

The front brake caliper is attached to the fork by two, 10 mm bolts. When I install the front brake pads, I first remove the front brake caliper from the fork leg. While holding the caliper in my hand, I remove the brake pad pin with a 5 mm allen key. After removing the old brake pads, I install the new brake pads on both sides of the caliper. Then I press the bottom of the pads inward, to compress the pad spring, so I can insert the brake pad pin. After I tighten the brake pad pin, I spread the brake pads with a flat blade screwdriver. Then I install the caliper over the brake rotor disc, and tighten the two, 10 mm bolts.

Using the above method, I easily installed the Neutron brake pads over the stock, Zongshen pad spring.

Lee R · 11-14-2015, 06:34 PM

Excellent Spud,

I've used the EBC sintered pads in the past and they work very well.

I'll be replacing my stock pads shortly as that's one of the weak points on the bike!

Weldangrind · 11-14-2015, 08:06 PM

I might try a set of those on Lifanda.

SpudRider · 11-14-2015, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I might try a set of those on Lifanda.

Doesn't your 'Lifanda' use the standard, Chinese, 'hockey puck' brake pads for the front caliper?

Longboarder1968 · 11-15-2015, 07:57 AM

Guys, thanks for all the great info, especially the list of other bikes with the same pad, I think the front brakes are a major flaw that is easily corrected. Hope I can find ECB pads here in Colombia, or similar. Seems like many other bikes use the same pad so sintered seems what to look for.

Darkrider · 11-15-2015, 10:36 AM

Nice upgrade spud! Wonder if the TT uses the same calipers as the RX3?

Weldangrind · 11-15-2015, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Doesn't your 'Lifanda' use the standard, Chinese, 'hockey puck' brake pads for the front caliper?

I was thinking about the rear, but now that you mention it, I don't recall. I'll have to check.

SpudRider · 11-15-2015, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Nice upgrade spud! Wonder if the TT uses the same calipers as the RX3?

The rear calipers appear to be different. However, I hope the front caliper is the same, since the TT Special employs the same forks and front wheel as my Zonshern ZS200GY-2. If the front caliper is the same, I am going to install one on my older Zong, as well.

Darkrider · 11-15-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The rear calipers appear to be different. However, I hope the front caliper is the same, since the TT Special employs the same forks and front wheel as my Zonshern ZS200GY-2. If the front caliper is the same, I am going to install one on my older Zong, as well.

Well you will probably get a chance to experiment with that before i get a TT so i await hearing how that goes.

11-14-2015, 01:31 AM	#1
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	EBC FA185 Brake Pads Fit RX3 Front Brake Caliper I currently own the following motorcycles, in addition to my two Zongshen motorcycles. 2004 Honda CRF250X 2005 Honda XR650L 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 All the Japanese bikes listed above employ the EBC FA185 brake pads in the front brake caliper. For a while I have suspected the EBC FA185 brake pads will also fit the front brake caliper of my Zongshen RX3. Today I tested the EBC brake pads, and they fit perfectly. In addition, I was able to install the EBC brake pads using the stock pad spring of the Zongshen caliper. The EBC FA185 brake pads are one of the most popular brake pads being manufactured. Here is a short list of the many motorcycles which employ these brake pads in the front brake caliper. Honda Motorcycles CRF230F CRF230L CRF250R CRF250X NX250 XR250R XR250L XR400R CRF450R CRF450X XR600R XR650R XR650L Suzuki Motorcycles DR-Z400E DR-Z400S DR650SE These brake pads also fit many Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Beta motorcycles. On my RX3 I installed a spare set of Neutron, sintered brake pads which I bought from Rocky Mountain ATV for $9.25. I had previously purchased these brake pads for my two Honda motorcycles. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p...d-Metal?v=2824 These pads work great! They stop the RX3 very well, and they are manufactured to a higher standard than the stock brake pads. Here is a photograph of the stock brake pads, the Neutron, sintered brake pads, and a Honda pad spring. I first tried installing the Neutron brake pads with the Honda pad spring, which fits my Honda CRF250X, and Honda XR650L, front brake calipers. The Neutron brake pads would not fit with the Honda pad spring. Next, I installed the Neutron brake pads without either pad spring, and they fit okay. Finally, I decided to try installing the Neutron brake pads with the stock, Zongshen pad spring, and the neutron brake pads fit perfectly. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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11-14-2015, 01:40 AM	#2
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I went for a ride to test the FA185 brake pads, and they worked very well. Here are several photographs showing the Neutron brake pads installed in the front brake caliper of my RX3. The copper color of the backing plate makes it very easy to inspect the thickness of the brake pads. If you want to increase the stopping power of the front brake, I highly recommend you purchase these sintered brake pads. You can buy EBC FA185 brake pads, or you can buy any aftermarket, sintered brake pads which fit any of the Japanese motorcycles I listed above. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 11-14-2015 at 03:26 AM.
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11-14-2015, 01:53 AM	#3
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	The RX3 motorcycles imported to the United States by CSC have the latest, rear brake caliper. The U.S. bikes use the EBC FA496 brake pads employed by the following Japanese motorcycles. Honda CBR250R, CBR300R, CB300F, CBR650F Suzuki GW250, SFV650 The EBC FA496HH brake pads are made with sintered metal. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 Last edited by SpudRider; 11-14-2015 at 03:44 AM.
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11-14-2015, 03:44 AM	#5
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	You're welcome. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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11-14-2015, 08:06 PM	#9
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I might try a set of those on Lifanda. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
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11-14-2015, 02:53 AM	#4
rtking Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 410	Thanks Spud! That opens up a lot of options for those looking for more braking power from the RX3!
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11-14-2015, 01:48 PM	#6
superdude Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Seattle/Tacoma Posts: 104	Hi Spud. Been waiting for this post from you with much anticipation. Thanks for doing this it is much appreciated. So if I read you right, you said you installed the stock caliper spring WITH the ebc 185 pads? And then also you used stock spring for neutron pads as well? Which pads are you gonna end up running the ebc or neutron? If you did indeed get the stock caliper spring to fit the ebc pads I need to go out to my garage right now and try getting it to fit again. Thanks!
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11-14-2015, 06:34 PM	#8
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Excellent Spud, I've used the EBC sintered pads in the past and they work very well. I'll be replacing my stock pads shortly as that's one of the weak points on the bike!
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11-15-2015, 07:57 AM	#11
Longboarder1968 Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 22	New brake pads Guys, thanks for all the great info, especially the list of other bikes with the same pad, I think the front brakes are a major flaw that is easily corrected. Hope I can find ECB pads here in Colombia, or similar. Seems like many other bikes use the same pad so sintered seems what to look for.
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