More research has resulted in the following info regarding Nissin HH vs Honda OE pads:

1. DS supplies the OE Honda P/N 45105-KV3-701 for 20 pound each and does not supply the aftermarket Nissin HH rated type listed by RO,

2. RO supplies the aftermarket Nissin HH pad for 24 pound a pair which he considers is a superior replacement for the Honda OE P/N.

3. Nissin HH pads are far superior to some other brands (thanks philfingers), -

4. Many on this forum consider the Honda OE pads to be superior to all other brands for road use.

What should I conclude from this info:

1. Honda OE pads are excellent performers but expensive, 80 pound a set,

2. Nissin HH are better than Honda OE and cost 48 pound a set.

Have I missed anything?

An update RO has just informed me that his Nissin HH pads are in fact Honda P/N 06455-MAS-305.

£20 a pad???

Yes, my RO HH Nissin pads were in a very genuine Honda blister pack! I still have it somewhere. As much as I like them, the ones I had in before left the front wheel clean, and weren't anywhere near as hard on the discs, and I could still lock the front. but i'll stay with the HH ones

Another update from RO, Honda rates 45105-KV3-701 as GG. So they are one step lower on the performance table when compared to the latest Honda OEM offering although still a very good brake pad going by the endorsements on this forum..

Pad friction ratings can make very interesting and confusing reading. Ferodo Platium pads are effectively FF, using their friction data, and their sintered pads are GG. Ferodo CP1 race pads are GH, which says they lack cold bite, perhaps to be expected from a race pad, but their H rating friction value when hot is somewhat lower than that claimed by AP racing for their product.

Decision, decisions.

So they are one step lower on the performance table when compared to the latest Honda OEM offering although still a very good brake pad going by the endorsements on this forum

Wow a lot of thinking over brake pads..

I don't agree with the above comment that they are lower on the performance either.

While on paper the HH pads have a higher friction co-efficient (basically they can offer more stopping power) they also have a very different feel to them than GG pads.

HH pads usually are quite grabby / snatchy instant on feel compared to GG pads, this can make braking quite scary in bad conditions when you need to feather the brake a little more.

Also much easier to lock the brakes with HH pads by over-doing it, such as an emergeny stop

GG pads are softer so less harsh on the braking, also less harsh on the disc and as a consequence of being softer bed in much quicker, especially on a worn brake disk.

Modern day bikes offer a lot of power so most mfgs use HH pads.

The NC30 is old and not so much rocking the power.

Unless your constantly braking from flat out to stop and then repeating this GG pads offer more feel, bed in quicker and are kinder to your discs.

The bite of the HH isnt needed on the 30, this is probably why many people really enjoy the feel of the stock pad.

Of course it will depend on your riding style, while most prefer stock its upto you.

They are both great pads so instead of doing some pen and paper research get what you think will suit you best and try that, if you dont like it you can always change to the others when you wear them out.

I have HH in mine at the moment as the Honda OEM were on backorder.. the HH cost just over 80 quid for a set (same price as the Honda OEM) and while sharp as a tack are a bit too bitey for my liking.

Maybe that helps, maybe not.

But since they are both different It depends on application as to what you choose, one isnt strictly better than the other when all things are taken into account.

Happy to hear your comments Neo, expanding the info base was the intention of my post.

My comment that you take exception to only to state the current picking order, particularly as many riders believe that HH pads are the best, and where past and present Honda OEM pads fit in the grand scheme.

Your comments regarding HH pads and their bitey feel was the reason for the original question and research. No sense jumping in with HH pads and then wishing I had not, if the experience of others can help.

Your preference for GG rated pads is likely to steer me in the that direction, particularly as the Ferodo pads I have at present are in the FF category.

don't get me wrong the HH Nissin's on mine are very good, i like the pads totally with regard to feel/bike but they make a lot of dust and they seem hard on the discs, i could live with a 'easier on the disc' pad even if it meant a little less feel/bike. I'd be tempted by GG next

magg wrote:Happy to hear your comments Neo, expanding the info base was the intention of my post.

My comment that you take exception to only to state the current picking order, particularly as many riders believe that HH pads are the best, and where past and present Honda OEM pads fit in the grand scheme.

Your comments regarding HH pads and their bitey feel was the reason for the original question and research. No sense jumping in with HH pads and then wishing I had not, if the experience of others can help.

Your preference for GG rated pads is likely to steer me in the that direction, particularly as the Ferodo pads I have at present are in the FF category.

Good good, I didn't mean it to sound like "your wrong" and im right as its all down to personal preference at the end of the day.

Many riders do think HH are the best becuase of looking at the graph co-efficient.

How many riders bin the bike on emergency braking? Softer pads wont stop that but they do offer more feel.

Try both if you get the chance, but id recommend starting with the GG pads

If you really want a high friction set of pads, Brembo SC and RC are the go. If you can believe the data, both are HH++. Curious as to whether theory translates to practice, anyone tried them either on road or track?