What is causing abnormal front brake pad wear on my TVS Ronin?

I’ve been using a TVS Ronin 225 special edition since May 2024. I’m posted in the Darjeeling hills where I’ve ridden for 5000 odd kms since purchase. Pre-monsoon was hassle-free but with the advent of monsoon, I had to change my front brake pad three times after every 1,000 odd kilometres. I’ve been told by local technicians that this is very common during monsoon. So here are my queries if you could kindly enlighten me:

1. Whether this is normal?

2. If it is my riding style, what am I doing wrong?

Arnab Jha, Kallimpong, West Bengal

Autocar India says: That’s a very quick duration for brake pad wear but it’s not impossible. Wear does increase significantly in the monsoons because our roads are dirty and the water mixed with fine grit can rapidly accelerate the wear of brake pads. 

It is unlikely that you are doing anything wrong – it is a common issue with people dragging the rear brake while riding, but not so much with the front brake. OEM pads on some bikes in general don’t have a long life and the wear can become much faster in these conditions. Still, you should have your brakes checked to ensure that the pistons retract sufficiently once you release the lever and that the brakes aren’t fouling when they aren’t being used. 

If everything is operating as usual with the braking system you can look at aftermarket brake pad options from reputed manufacturers. These will cost more, but they will also offer improved performance and longer life.

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