As briefly reported in our review of the 2022 EICMA ' Milan Show ' in November ( AMD January 2023 ), leading Denmark based performance brake pad manufacturer SBS Friction is introducing a ' Better Brakes ' programme . The product launch will entail upgraded formulations , environmental regulation and best practice code compliance and performance for more than 95 % of all the brake pad products manufactured under the SBS brand name . All its product ranges will be transitioned " in full scope ," meaning that all products in a product range are included in the transition phase . It will not be possible to purchase old formula based SBS products once the transition is complete in 2025 . Transition will happen following an

HF ceramic designed for commuters , general-purpose street and cruiser bikes .

impact-principle , meaning that high volume fast-moving products are first in line as this is where highest impact can be obtained soonest . It is only racing products that are not being transitioned in the present scope . This is due to the complexity of race related compounds . The Better Brakes Law and Standard is designed to be a U . S . national model

that can be carried by all states , and to act as a catalyst and inspiration for other national and regional legislative areas outside the U . S . In implementing the Better Brakes Law , the working group that had been established worked closely with brake

" macro-economic trend forecasts by the World Bank "

manufacturers , retailers , distributors and environmental groups - including SBS Friction A / S . SBS Marketing and Product Manager Thomas Midtgaard- Jørgensen explains that " one of the principal ( but by no means only ) aims of the new protocol is the massive reduction and , where possible ,

HS sinter designed for modern highperformance , sport , big touring and adventure bikes .

complete elimination of the use of rare earth minerals and other potentially toxic substances - metals and chemicals - with special initial focus on the elimination of the use of copper and nickel in sintered brake pads and antimony from ceramic pads . " During the 1990s , research reports were issuing warnings about the heavy metal contamination in the San

Francisco Bay . This resulted in new legislation in 2010 that has presently been adopted by both California and Washington states for cars - initially motorcycle brakes were exempted from the legislation and therefore SBS Friction and other motorcycle brake pad manufacturers have not been covered by the legislation . " The copper content in brake pads should have been reduced to less than 5 % ( weight ) after January 1st , 2021 , decreasing down to 0.5 % during the coming years , with full implementation of the legislation in 2025 . Furthermore , three additional nickel and zinc-based substances are under observation for potential future inclusion in the ban . " In January 2015 , the manufacturers signed a memorandum of agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and the Environmental Council of the States to adopt standards based on Washington ' s and California ' s brake laws . This means that every new brake pad sold in the United States will meet

Washington ' s standards for copper and other toxic chemicals . " By working together on the Better Brakes programme , ecological advocates and brake manufacturers were able to agree on an approach that protects the public and the environment . Since manufacturers sell their products globally and have relatively long product design cycles , these changes will have far reaching beneficial effects ." From SBS ' point of view , the first products to transition into ' SBS Better Brakes ' specifications are HF , HS and

" similar wear profile and an overall improved sense of grip and performance stability "

MS . " Due to the performance characteristics in the new Better Brakes SP-series ( similar to those of the Better Brakes HS ), it has been decided to merge the two types into one . The SP compound can , as of 2023 ,

Transition

Compound

Type

Scope

HS - SP

Street - Sinter

2023

HF

Street - Ceramic

2023

MS

Scooter > 250 cc - Sinter

2023

SI

Offroad - Sinter

2024

LS

Street , rear - Sinter

2023

RQ

V-twin , Scooter - Ceramic

2023

CT

V-twin , Scooter - Ceramic

2023

CS

Offroad - Sinter

2023

ATS

Offroad - Sinter

2023

H . HF

Street , V-twin - Ceramic

2023

H . CT

V-twin , Scooter - Ceramic

2023

H . HS

Street , V-Twin - Sinter

2023

H . LS

Street , V-Twin rear - Sinter

2023