Best UTV Brake Pads For Can-Am Defender | Hunt or Shred

The Can-Am Defender has many great features that make it more efficient for off-road riding. However, without the best brake pads, it becomes less reliable.

The four best UTV brake pads for the Can-Am Defender are the North Ridge Performance Brake Pad Set, NICHE Brake Pad Kit, Sollon Front and Rear Brake Pads, and Javik Sintered Front & Rear Brake Pads. We also recommend only using sintered, organic, ceramic, or semi-metallic brake pads with this UTV.

We have spent years in the industry and know what works best for high-end UTVs like the Can-Am Defender. This is especially true when discussing brake pads, and all of the options recommended below have been reviewed and tested thoroughly.  

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4 Best UTV Brake Pads For Can-Am Defender

If you have a Can-Am Defender, you must have working brake pads to ensure reasonable stopping distances and ride comfort.

If they are not in good condition, they will fail to provide their optimal braking performance and may even cause damage to your bike. This is why it’s essential to know about some of the best aftermarket brake pads to use too.

The best UTV brake pads for Can-Am Defender should offer a good balance of power and durability. These pads should also have enough power to stop the vehicle but not so much that it will cause excessive wear on the rotors.

Below we have listed our three top-rated options worth considering.

1. North Ridge Performance Brake Pad Set

The North Ridge Performance Brake Pad Set is a high-performance brake pad that has been designed to last longer and deliver better stopping power. It is the option for the Can-Am Defender UTV.

It also comes with an easy installation kit, which includes all the necessary tools and instructions to make installation simple. The set comes with two pads and two calipers, so you can replace your old ones with this new set without buying anything else.

This is an automotive-grade ceramic brake pad so drivers can expect better support and less fade for aggressive off-road and trail riding. It’s a direct fit with no modifications for most Can-Am Defender models.

This specific product fits the following vehicles, but other kits are available to cover the Can-Am Defenders.

  • Can Am Defender MAX HD7
  • MAX HD8, MAX HD10
  • HD10 6x6
  • PRO 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

2. NICHE Brake Pad Kit

The NICHE Brake Pad Kit is an organic brake pad kit that works perfectly for the Can-Am Defender. They are soft and easier on the rotors for smoother stopping and riding.

They are made from high-quality materials and are designed specifically for this vehicle. The kit also includes an instruction manual to help you install them correctly.

The kit also has an anti-friction coating that prevents the brake pads from wearing out too quickly, which means you can use them without worrying about replacing them too often.

This brake pad kit also requires less heat while still creating plenty of friction. This is helpful and causes less dust production compared to metallic brake pad alternatives.

The one downside to this brake pad kit is the reduced performance in extreme temperatures. They wear out faster when exposed to these conditions too.

3. Sollon Front and Rear Brake Pads

The Sollon Front and Rear Brake Pads are designed to provide maximum stopping power. They have a very low dust rating which is better than the average.

These semi-metallic brake pads provide excellent heat dissipation and wear resistance. These brake pads also have a long life expectancy (up to 5,000 miles).

The pads also feature a high friction coefficient and a low coefficient of friction. They are made of premium materials that ensure long-lasting performance. This includes a combination of high-strength fibers for more balanced friction.

These pads also have an excellent bending dynamic, so riding off-road won’t cause them to come loose or weaken. They can be installed in just a few minutes with simple hand tools too.

This is a semi-metallic brake pad, which isn’t our favorite for the Can-Am Defender. However, we can’t ignore how well these brake pads perform. This set also includes four pairs of brake pads.

Lastly, Sollon is a reliable retailer offering free returns and exchanges for all customers.

4. Javik Sintered Front & Rear Brake Pads

The Javik Sintered Front & Rear Brake Pads are one of the best brake pads for the Can-Am Defender UTV because they offer great performance in terms of stopping power, durability, and noise reduction.

They also offer excellent dust control for the vehicle’s wheels to prevent rusting. The good news is that these brake pads are easy to install and will last longer than other brake pads.

These brake pads also fit a wide range of Can-Am vehicles, including the following.

  • Can-Am SxS
  • Defender 6x6 2020-2022
  • Defender Max 2017-2022
  • Defender Pro 2020-2022
  • Maverick Sport 2019-2022
  • Maverick Trail 800 2018-2021
  • Maverick Trail 1000 2018-2022
  • Maverick X3 2017-2021 All Edition

This brake pad design is sintered and includes a copper plating base to provide better heat dissipation. On top of that, both copper and tin are used to create a more durable and high-performing brake pad.

Best Types Of Brake Pads For Can-Am Defender

When choosing brake pads for the Can-Am Defender, various brake pad types are worth considering. We have listed the best ones for this vehicle below.

Sintered Brake Pads

Sintered brake pads are more durable and offer better performance. They also last longer and don't require replacement as often as conventional ones.

This brake pad is made of metallic particles pressed together, so they last much longer and can easily handle dust and dirt build-up.

Organic Brake Pads

Organic brake pads are made from Kevlar, rubber, and silica, and it all gets mixed and bound together with resin. They are much quieter while driving, which is preferred by lots of drivers.

However, they’re not as durable as sintered pads. But they provide sharper braking and maneuver better in cold temperatures.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Ceramic brake pads are made of a ceramic compound that has been heated and then pressed into a mold. They also have fine copper fibers built into them, which helps with heat dissipation.

Typically, ceramic brake pads last longer when compared to semi-metallic ones, but they are not a top performer. Both organic and sintered work much better for UTVs like the Can-Am Defender.

Semi-Metallic Brake Pads

Semi-metallic brake pads are a mixture of organic and sintered materials. This includes metal particles embedded into an organic compound to try and provide better braking and durability balance.

They do provide excellent stopping power and shorter braking distances. This is preferred for longer-riding adventures. However, they won’t provide the same high-end performance when heading off-road.

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Key Takeaways

  • The best overall brake pad for the Can-Am Defender is the North Ridge Performance Brake Pad Set because it’s versatile and durable, and this kit provides plenty of braking performance and support.
  • We recommend only using sintered, organic, ceramic, or semi-metallic brake pads with the Can-Am Defender.
  • If you are interested in other options, consider using the NICHE Brake Pad Kit, Sollon Front and Rear Brake Pads, or Javik Sintered Front & Rear Brake Pads.

About THE AUTHOR

Michael

Michael

41 years old. I'm a freelance writer that specializes in informational blog posts. All my articles are detail oriented and well researched. I'm a huge Arizona Cardinals fan!

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