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[MikeL]

I need to replace the brake pads on my 2018 FXS within the next 1k miles and I'm having trouble locating where to buy them.

It looks like the front part number from EBC is FA181 (unofficial zero manual https://zeromanual.com/wiki/Brake_Pad_Lookup) and on Amazon they appear to have FA181R. It looks like "R" might be for rear but another post on this forum said they work for the front.

A few questions:

• Should I go with the FA181R from Amazon for my front brake pads?
• Any other possible brands I should consider based on experience with the FXS?
• Any general things I should look for when doing brake pads on the FXS? First time owning a Zero...

[NoMoreIdeas]

I just bought mine through my dealer. Any dealer can order and ship them to you, but AF1 racing seems to be a crowd favorite. Mine ran me like ~$60 after tax, they are proud of those brake pads.

[Curt]

FA181 or FA181R are the "right" pads, for some definition. Replacing the pads should be trivial, but there are a couple factors complicating it due to the off-brand brake components.

EBC FA181R work on my 16FX, but are not identical to the EOM pads, and a slight difference in shape causes the anti-rattle spring to stay loose and click against the wave rotor. This is alarming and/or harmless. My saga with that: https://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=9317.0.

Another factor is the brake squeal. Search threads for other brake pad sources that apparently don't squeal. EBC FA181R squeal very loudly (I have already posted a couple times how I completely stop the squeal from these or any other pad).

[Say10 15FX 16FXS]

EBC FA209HH. S,SR,DS,DSR,FXS front. The only way to go IMO! Stock pads are $75-80 bucks and noisy! You can find EBCs on ebay for around $30. Quiet and better feel. They also make other compounds in carbon, organic,etc. but the HH semi sintered offers the highest performance.

[MikeL]

Honestly, I'm so surprised how hard it is to figure this out haha. Based on EBC's own books (Which have incorrect model numbers for Zero FX and FXS) it looks like FA181HH would be the best for the 2018?

But EBC FA209HH will work with the 2018 FXS?

[MikeL]

Well, I just ordered FA209/2HH from Amazon. Hopefully these are correct, but if not I can always pick up the FA181HH from Amazon. Total cost would be about 1 set from the dealer if I need both.. so I'm willing to experiment.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

That brake pad lookup article on the unofficial manual is built from hard-won fitment confirmations, and is one of the most difficult pages to maintain and update.

I absolutely will not update that table until someone physically confirms fitment. Trusting the EBC and other publications has actually turned out to be error-prone for various reasons.

[Say10 15FX 16FXS]

EBC FA208R ‘15 up S SR DS DSR FX FXS rear

       FA181R ‘15 up FX front
     
       FA209HH ‘15 up S SR DS DSR FXS front

I have personal experience with these in my FX and FXS. Not sure why a member was having issues with the FA181R but I ran them on my ‘15 FX for miles and had no problem. These fit and will greatly reduce noise while improving brake feel.

[MikeL]

I went with these (ordered earlier) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006BVJZ6W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hopefully they work the same as the SFA209/2HH. We will see!

[Say10 15FX 16FXS]

They are the same. The number is the pad shape. I think the S(FA) on my packaging is for scooter. Same material, different packaging. I can stand mine on the nose with 1 finger.

[MikeL]

Thought I'd followup and say the FA209/2HH are working for my 2018 FXS Front Brakes after getting them on this morning and going for a test ride.