I had been using Spec VR until it stopped production. Actually even after it's no longer available, I still bought a couple used sets while waiting for the new compound to come out. Until I couldn't wait any longer, I went ahead and tried out the Hawk HT10.

The HT10 was pretty good. It's quite comparable to the Spec VR. When my set was about to finish, I was excited to try out the long-awaited XR series. I took the sales rep suggestion and went with front XR3 and rear XR5.

I had a chance to try them out back to back at the last Mid Ohio event (Friday - HT10, Sat - XR3). I have to say that the XR3 blows the HT10 out of water in terms of initial bite, pedal feel and overall performance, and what surprised me most was that the XR3 needed little to no warmup time. Excellent pads, highly recommended.

However, I think the rear XR5 is a bit too strong for the XR3 in front. I experienced quite a bit of rear lockup. It might also be a result of the new front splitter that I had. Now with the new GT wing installed in the rear, it should help a little.

I think the XR3 is a great pad for track days (with R-comp) and racing. Personally I would prefer a bit stronger bite for racing, so I ordered up another set of XR2 to take to the Nationals. It should be a better balance for the rear XR5 too.

The pad material is white/silver and attached to the backing plate with gold rivets (bling!). From what I heard from fellow racers, those rivets can also be used as friction material so we can keep using even if the rivets are showing.

 

Nice review Waison!! Couple of questions though...

1: How much louder if any are they compared to the HT10s and VRs? Not that I care about brake noise, just curiosity.

2: So silver brake dust now? IMO that's genius, my VRs make my wheels looks like an ink cartridge blew up on them after 1 session or a quick drive across town and back. Not that I care about that either it's pretty easy to clean up.

 

good stuff, only problem is the price. $180 or so for the xr3 is pretty expensive. I hear they are supposed to outlast a few sets of rotors though. How did you notice the wear on the pads, Wai?

 

cool.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JjuuN R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1: How much louder if any are they compared to the HT10s and VRs? Not that I care about brake noise, just curiosity.</TD></TR></TABLE>

To be honest I'm not sure.....
With the helmet on in the noisy, shakey cabin, I couldn't really hear any brake noise.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JjuuN R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2: So silver brake dust now? IMO that's genius, my VRs make my wheels looks like an ink cartridge blew up on them after 1 session or a quick drive across town and back. Not that I care about that either it's pretty easy to clean up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL at ink cartrigde blew up!! :D
Even tho the pad color is silver, I dunno if the dust color is the same. My wheels are so dirty that I can't tell anyway.

 

Lets see pics with the splitter and wing on your car!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 743power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">good stuff, only problem is the price. $180 or so for the xr3 is pretty expensive. I hear they are supposed to outlast a few sets of rotors though. How did you notice the wear on the pads, Wai?</TD></TR></TABLE>

$180 really isn't too bad, because the HT10 that I got was ~$173.
But GT Motoring was able to offer a discount on the Cobalt so it ended up being cheaper for me (GTM also honor referral discount. so mention my name and you would also receive a discount).

As for wear, I've only had 1 weekend on them so it's still too early to say. But from the pic I posted above, it's after 2 days of usage:
15 mins practice + 20 mins qualify + 30 min race, each day.
Still looks like new.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mullet eater &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Lets see pics with the splitter and wing on your car! </TD></TR></TABLE>

You must have missed this thread :
https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=7

 

Sorry i did. But wow the lip and wing look dope ive seen splitters like that befor id like to have one did you build it yourself or did you buy it somewhere if so where and how much$

 

I've experienced most racers like the XR2 front while most HPDE 2-3 level drivers prefer the XR3. Both applications running the GT-Sports in the rear with ease. Oh, and I have silver SPOON's now!

-Victor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97 TYPE-R 312 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've experienced most racers like the XR2 front while most HPDE 2-3 level drivers prefer the XR3. Both applications running the GT-Sports in the rear with ease. Oh, and I have silver SPOON's now!

-Victor</TD></TR></TABLE>
So the XR series pads from Cobalt = Silver brake dust?

 

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mullet eater &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry i did. But wow the lip and wing look dope ive seen splitters like that befor id like to have one did you build it yourself or did you buy it somewhere if so where and how much$ </TD></TR></TABLE>

Guess you didn't read that thread from the start.
It was mentioned in page 4:
https://honda-tech.com/zero...age=4
It was built by Top Setup. As far as price, you would need to contact them directly. Here's their website:
http://www.topsetup.net

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97 TYPE-R 312 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've experienced most racers like the XR2 front while most HPDE 2-3 level drivers prefer the XR3. Both applications running the GT-Sports in the rear with ease. Oh, and I have silver SPOON's now!

-Victor</TD></TR></TABLE>

So the dust is indeed silver.
XR2 here I come!

 

Nice wing, ricer

Give Takumi a pat for me

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Splat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Give Takumi a pat for me </TD></TR></TABLE>

I just did, and he looks happy.

 

damn wai what pads do you recommend for street/ track use I have stock itr brakes just mugen brake lines and brembo blank rotors

 

I love my XR3s. Took me a little while to get a good feel for them after several sets of VRs, but man they really grab.

 

Do the D503 backing plates have the two tabs now?

 

i would have been running XR2's now if it wasn't for the fact they didn't fit properly


but it was cool when i opened them up and they were the silver colour

 

Still on Spec VR's myself, Wai how do the XR3's compare directly to the VR's? I'm presuming that the XR2's are "more" than the VR's, is that correct?

I've still got a new set of VR's and about halfway through the set on the car. I wanna hear again your thoughts after a few more events and the XR2's.

 

Shameless plug: I have a set of front ITR fitment XR2 pads for sale for $130, been used lightly for one session only (session, not day). Save $50!

 

I just used the XR3's at a race that was somewhat brake friendly (enough straights to allow brakes to cool) and I liked them a lot. The surprising thing about them was that they were ready immediately. With the VR's, I had to drag the brakes on the pace lap and still corner 1 was a little dicey. I hear the XR2's are similar to the VR's that way. I still think the VR's have a stronger bite than the XR3's. If I had to guess, I would think the pads would rank the following in bite/torque: XR3 &lt; VR &lt; XR2 (Note: I have only used the XR3 & VR and only know about XR2 from interviewing a friend).

However, I have a set of the XR2's now to go on the car for race days and probably use XR3's for a local time trial/autocross thing they have down here in Texas in a big parking lot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94rs-turbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn wai what pads do you recommend for street/ track use I have stock itr brakes just mugen brake lines and brembo blank rotors</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll jump in here...

You really can't go wrong with a set of GT-Sports F/R for daily/track use. I ran GT-Sports daily/track on my EP3 when I did the TYPE-S 5 lug conversion and it was great!

-Victor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97 TYPE-R 312 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I'll jump in here...

You really can't go wrong with a set of GT-Sports F/R for daily/track use. I ran GT-Sports daily/track on my EP3 when I did the TYPE-S 5 lug conversion and it was great!</TD></TR></TABLE>
But, Victor, some people occasionally exceed 100 miles per hour.