Ferodo Moto: 125 Years of Braking Dominance
The history of braking didn't start with Brembo or Nissin. It began in 1897 in England when Herbert Frood invented the world's first friction material for stopping horse-drawn carriages. Thus, Ferodo was born. Today, after a century of innovation, Ferodo stands as the oldest and one of the most respected brands in motorcycle racing. From World Superbike to MXGP, riders entrust their lives to Ferodo technology.
ATOMIC-SHOP is an official supplier of Ferodo Racing products. We know that a motorcycle offers no forgiveness. Your life depends on two small tire contact patches and two sets of brake pads. In this detailed guide, we will help you navigate the complex chemistry of Ferodo compounds and choose the perfect match for your riding style.
Organic vs. Sintered: The Eternal Question
This is the first decision you must make. Ferodo manufactures pads using two fundamentally different technologies. Choosing the wrong one can lead to ruined rotors or a crash.
1. Organic Pads (Platinum / P Series)
This is "old school" refined to perfection.
Technology: A blend of resins, aramid fibers, and fillers pressed at moderate temperatures.
Performance: Smooth, predictable, with excellent modulation. They do not "bite" the disc aggressively.
Best For: Classic bikes, customs, cruisers, and crucially, for rear brakes on modern sportbikes (to prevent wheel lock-up). Also ideal for cast iron rotors.
2. Sintered Pads (SinterGrip / ST Series)
The modern standard for high-performance bikes.
Technology: Metal powder (mostly copper) is sintered (fused) under immense heat and pressure directly onto the backing plate.
Performance: Aggressive. They offer the highest friction coefficient, perform flawlessly in wet/muddy conditions, and remain stable even at 600°C.
Best For: 99% of modern motorcycles (Street, Sport, Adventure) equipped with stainless steel rotors.
Decoding the Codes: ST, SG, XR, CP
The Ferodo catalog can be confusing with its suffixes. Here is your key to understanding them:
| Compound Code | Type | Application |
|---|---|---|
| ST (SinterGrip Road) | Sintered HH. | Gold Standard. The best front brake pads for street bikes. Powerful bite, long life, excellent wet performance. |
| P (Platinum) | Organic. | For commuting, touring, and rear brakes. Rotor-friendly, quiet operation. |
| XRAC / ZRAC | Racing Sinter. | Track Only. Used in WorldSBK. Requires some heat warm-up but offers phenomenal stopping power and thermal stability. |
| CP1 (Carbon Grip) | Carbon-Ceramic. | Pro Racing. Only works when HOT. Used in MotoGP. Do not use on the street (no cold bite). |
| SG / SGII | Off-Road Sinter. | For Enduro and Motocross. Designed to handle mud, sand, and grit without wearing out instantly. |
Array Cooling™ Technology
A unique feature of Ferodo racing pads (XRAC/ZRAC) is Array Cooling. Under hard braking, heat transfers from the friction material through the backplate directly to the caliper pistons, boiling the brake fluid (brake fade).
Ferodo treats the backplate (using laser texturing or thermal shields) to reduce the contact area with the piston. This acts as a thermal barrier, keeping the caliper cooler and ensuring consistent lever feel until the last lap of the race.
Why ST is the Best Choice for the Street
Many riders ask: "Why do I need SinterGrip if I don't race?" The answer is simple: safety.
ST series pads have the highest friction coefficient (HH rated). This means you need less lever pressure for an emergency stop. In a panic situation, those split seconds and meters of braking distance mean everything. Furthermore, ST sintered pads do not lose performance in the rain, unlike cheap organics that can feel "wooden" when wet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will sintered pads (ST) eat my rotors?
Any high-performance pad wears rotors faster than soft organic ones. Physics dictates that friction comes at a price. However, modern stainless steel rotors are designed to handle sintered pads. Ferodo ST pads contain specific lubricants in the compound mix that minimize rotor wear, making them perfectly acceptable for daily use.
Do Ferodo pads need warming up?
It depends on the series:
— Platinum (P) and SinterGrip (ST): Do not require warm-up. They work from the first stop sign.
— XRAC/ZRAC: Require 1-2 hard stops to reach operating temperature.
— CP1 (Carbon): Require serious heat generation. Cold performance is very poor. Track use only!
What is the proper Bedding-in procedure?
This is crucial. After installing new Ferodo pads, perform a series of gentle stops from medium speed, allowing the brakes to cool slightly between cycles. Avoid "panic stops" or coming to a complete standstill with the brakes held during the first 50-100 km. This allows a proper transfer layer to form on the rotor surface, preventing glazing and judder.
Trust your life to the professionals. Choose Ferodo brake pads at ATOMIC-SHOP — we will help you find the perfect compound for your bike.