We have received payment for the content in this article. Learn more.
A closer look at the EPFA, GPFAX and new flagship GPFAX D2 motorcycle brake pad ranges.
Whether riding on the road, enjoying the occasional trackday or competing at the highest levels of motorcycle racing, having the right brake pad is essential for delivering the performance, consistency and confidence riders demand.
EBC Brakes offers a comprehensive range of motorcycle braking products designed to suit these different applications, with its EPFA, GPFAX and newly developed GPFAX D2 compounds representing three high-performance options.
From the street-focused versatility of EPFA to the ultra-high friction of GPFAX, and now the improved precision and control offered by GPFAX D2, each compound has been developed with a specific type of riding in mind.
EPFA – High-Performance Braking for Street and Trackday Use
Manufactured at EBC Brakes’ production facility in Ohio, USA, the EPFA Sintered Brake Pad range is a premium, long-life street pad offering improved fade resistance, heat cycling and noise characteristics.
Designed for heavy streetbikes, cruisers and faster superbikes, EPFA is equally suited to intermittent track use, providing a high-end braking solution that is both silent and powerful.
The compound is based on EBC Brakes’ top-selling Double-H sintered material, with additional friction-stabilising additives to improve brake effect and heat cycling. These additives include ceramic particles, which enhance stability and pad life, marking the first time an EBC sintered pad has incorporated ceramic into its compound.
Many EPFA pads also feature double-segment technology, helping to reduce backplate flexing whilst improving ventilation. Manufactured using hard EN series steel backplates, the pads are designed to resist warping and brinelling under heavy loads.
With German TÜV testing and ABE certification, EPFA pads are suitable for road use whilst offering the heat cycling ability required for occasional trackday riding.
For riders looking for a premium, high-friction pad that combines smooth, quiet street braking with impressive trackday capability, EPFA represents a great value-for-money option.
GPFAX – Ultra-High Friction for Race Use
For riders demanding a dedicated racing compound, EBC Brakes’ GPFAX Sintered Race Brake Pads deliver exceptional braking performance in demanding track conditions.
Also manufactured in Ohio, USA, GPFAX features an ultra-high friction, fade-resistant compound, with a friction coefficient measuring between 0.6 and 0.7.
This exceptional level of friction provides tremendous braking effect, giving racers the confidence to push their machines to the limit.
Alongside its impressive friction characteristics, GPFAX offers superb heat cycling ability, maintaining consistent performance race after race, with excellent heat stability and resistance to brake fade.
The pads are manufactured using hard SN series steel backplates, designed to resist warping and brinelling of surfaces under heavy loads.
Importantly, GPFAX is designed exclusively for closed-circuit racing. Its extremely high friction characteristics are intended for prepared asphalt surfaces and racing tyres or slicks, making the compound unsuitable for road use or standard highway tyres.
GPFAX is not ECE R90 approved or TÜV tested with German ABE certification and is therefore not road legal in many countries.
GPFAX D2 – The Next Generation of Race Braking Performance
Building on the success of its highly acclaimed GPFAX compound, EBC Brakes Racing has unveiled its latest flagship motorcycle track and race brake pad: GPFAX D2.
Developing a truly confidence-inspiring race brake pad isn’t simply about chasing peak performance figures. It’s about delivering consistency, control and predictability at the limit. With GPFAX D2, that’s exactly what EBC’s development team set out to achieve.
Representing a significant step forward from the original GPFAX compound, the new formulation combines improved durability, enhanced braking feel and exceptionally consistent torque output across a wide range of operating conditions.
Built for Precision and Control
One of the defining characteristics of GPFAX D2 is its impressive torque linearity.
From initial brake application through to maximum braking force, the compound has been engineered to deliver a smooth, progressive and predictable response.
A low initial torque rise helps improve modulation, whilst braking torque increases linearly with pressure input. This relationship remains stable regardless of speed or temperature, giving riders a consistent and intuitive braking feel.
In simple terms, what you put in is exactly what you get out. Applying more pressure results in a directly proportional increase in braking force, allowing riders to confidently push deeper into the braking zone.
Rather than delivering an aggressive, spiky initial bite, GPFAX D2 provides a controlled increase in braking force throughout the stop.
This progressive characteristic allows for precise adjustments mid-corner and under heavy braking loads, giving riders greater control when it matters most.
Improved Durability Without Compromising Performance
Alongside braking feel and consistency, durability was another key focus during the development of GPFAX D2.
In back-to-back testing against the previous generation GPFAX compound, the new D2 formulation demonstrated significantly reduced wear rates, helping to extend pad life without compromising braking performance.
This improvement provides another important advantage for riders seeking consistent, high-performance braking throughout demanding track and racing conditions.
Proven Through Extensive Testing
Extensive dynamometer testing has played a crucial role in validating the performance of the new compound.
Testing highlights GPFAX D2’s exceptional consistency, producing clean, repeatable torque traces that remain stable across varying braking pressures and temperatures.
These results reinforce the compound’s key characteristics: smooth, progressive braking, improved modulation and predictable torque delivery.
Where previous materials pushed close to EBC’s performance targets, GPFAX D2 brings these characteristics together into a more complete package.
With enhanced feel, improved durability and exceptionally consistent performance, the latest compound represents an important evolution of EBC Brakes Racing’s motorcycle brake pad technology.
For riders looking to maximise precision, control and confidence on the track, GPFAX D2 represents the next step forward in EBC’s racing brake pad development.
