Motorcycle brake pads are normally available as organic, semi-metallic, ceramic and sintered. Organic motorcycle brake pads contain no metallic parts; semi-metallic motorcycle brake pads are a mixture of organic and metallic parts; ceramic motorcycle brake pads are similar to semi-metallic but the metallic fibres are replaced by ceramic compounds and copper fibres; and sintered metal motorcycle brake pads are made completely from metal. Sintered compound motorcycle brake pads undoubtedly provide the very best performance possible for road use.

But for motorcycle racing applications it is possible to push technology even further with carbon motorcycle brake pads, but these only work properly at extremely high temperature (close 400 degrees celsius) making them no good for everyday road use.