Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: connie and me on September 27, 2014, 08:39:44 AM
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Greetings, So my 12 connie bike, at 14,000 miles, need rotors, ::) I know where to go for car stuff, but not bike stuff... do I go with OEM, aftermarket, used, <(just kidding) the pulsing is very annoying, especially with the linked in function, back to front. just don't know where to go or to buy from....
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If they are pulsing and you can feel it through the lever then they may be warped. Your warranty should take care of that but I thought that most of that was taken care of in the latest models.
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EBC :thumbs: :thumbs:
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... just don't know where to go or to buy from....
Might be covered by warranty, for sure if you got the extended plan. If you decide to buy, check with Murph (murphkits.com). Bought a full EBC set of rotors and pads 3,000 miles ago. So far, so good. Be sure to follow EBC recommendations at http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/ (http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/)
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thanks guys!! def. a pulse in the lever, sllooowwly getting worse, might wait till winter to replace,, just looking for idea's.... btw. this started at about 10,000 miles....
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Just ordered the Chinese Rotors, will try that for now with Gen 2 pads. I am under warranty but not worth my time getting the same problem fixed again later after fighting for warranty coverage.
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556alpha,
Worked as a service adviser in the early 90's for Mazda. The top of the line 929 had horrible rotors. We replaced all four on untold amount of cars, again and again. No new products were available to us, so we kept replacing bad rotors with more bad rotors. Tons of very upset customers, even with free warranty replacements.
I would use my warranty and ask if the new rotors have different part #'s from the OEM ones, with which you are having problems. Most parts, once installed, normally have a 12 month warranty, even if your extended warranty ends earlier, so new problems should be covered too, up to a total of the original replacement warranty period. May want to place the Chinese rotors in the closet, for an out of warranty future date...You paid for the warranty, use it. If not. the warranty company just made money without responsibility, and that's what they want...tp
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If not. the warranty company just made money without responsibility, and that's what they want...tp
I don't think there is a warranty company with the factory warranty or the factory extended warranty. It is just Kawasaki.
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i've switched to EBC rotors and brake pads, absolutely satisfied with it.
bought the rotors from http://ebcbrakesdirect.com (http://ebcbrakesdirect.com)
bought EBC pads from ebay.
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I don't think there is a warranty company with the factory warranty or the factory extended warranty. It is just Kawasaki.
I agree with that, and even if it is just Kawi, they do sell the warranties with the hopes that the purchaser doesn't ever need or actually have to use it. Extended Warranty sales are generally designed as a profit center for the manufacturer. Same with electronics and appliance purchases. Aren't you always asked at point of sale, "Wouldn't you like to extend this products warranty for only $XX.xx, today and today only?" Pure profit, probably close to 99% of the time.
FWIW, normally, after market extended warranty companies wouldn't cover rotors anyway, as they, like sparkplugs, hoses, pads, O/F, etc, are all considered "normal wear items". If Kawi covers rotors under the original factory issued warranty, then they should also be covered in their extended warranty, as it is simply an extention of the original one.
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Probably a good idea, I will call the dealer tomorrow and see if they will work with me. If you do not buy from them sometimes they are less than helpful. I have the Kawa warranty.
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Probably a good idea, I will call the dealer tomorrow and see if they will work with me. If you do not buy from them sometimes they are less than helpful. I have the Kawa warranty.
Don't think they have a choice in the matter. Kawi is Kawi, everywhere, and your warranty card, or computer info, should be good as gold at any dealer. If not, a call to Kawi USA is in order, to correct a dealer's reluctance. The dealer gets paid to do the work, so should be no skin off their nose...Good luck. Warpped rotors suck ,and are dangerous, to boot. tomp
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Might be covered by warranty, for sure if you got the extended plan. If you decide to buy, check with Murph (murphkits.com). Bought a full EBC set of rotors and pads 3,000 miles ago. So far, so good. Be sure to follow EBC recommendations at http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/ (http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/)
My rotors have stunk since new. I recently got my 16,000 mile service and asked them to take a close look at the rotors. They mic'ed them out and they were in spec, so no warranty. They will not even ride the bike to see how bad the problem is -- if they are in spec they are OK, no matter how poorly they work.
It will be EBCs for me this winter.
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Bought EBC rotors and pads....absolutely fixed the pulse problem....now I've got to do the back cause I can tell the rear brake is fairly useless.....Oh well it's only $$ ;D ;D
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Don't think they have a choice in the matter. Kawi is Kawi, everywhere, and your warranty card, or computer info, should be good as gold at any dealer. If not, a call to Kawi USA is in order, to correct a dealer's reluctance. The dealer gets paid to do the work, so should be no skin off their nose..
The issue is that dealers often do not get paid as much with warranty work as with regular work. So some will hem and haw and delay and make excuses and tack on unnecessary unrelated charges and generally act badly. Especially true if they have lots of work in the queue already. Other times they are afraid they will get a denial and not get paid and yet told the customer it was covered, so it is a lot of hassle. They are not supposed to treat the customer any differently, but we have some reports of when this happens. And it should be reported to Kawasaki central when it is suspected.
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Buy a can of spray brake cleaner.
Hose down the rivets that attach the rotor to the carrier whilst turning them with an allen key.
Once they all turn easily take her out for a test.
If it fixes the problem or improves it, do it once a month or every few thousand miles.
I kept my OEM front rotors going until I replaced with the Arashi ones at 42000 miles.
At that point they were at 4.1mm thick and the recommended minimum is 4.5mm.
Have had the Arashi's since then and they are great. There was a slight pulsing initially with these but cleaning the surface with a green scotchbrite and some brake cleaner fixed that.
Rear still has the OEM rotor and plenty of meat left in it too.
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The issue is that dealers often do not get paid as much with warranty work as with regular work. So some will hem and haw and delay and make excuses and tack on unnecessary unrelated charges and generally act badly. Especially true if they have lots of work in the queue already. Other times they are afraid they will get a denial and not get paid and yet told the customer it was covered, so it is a lot of hassle. They are not supposed to treat the customer any differently, but we have some reports of when this happens. And it should be reported to Kawasaki central when it is suspected.
EXACTLY....I dropped it off. Will fill you guys in when I hear back. The brakes are unsafe at speed when warm so I will be replacing one way or the other. I just hate having mu bike in the hands of others when I have had way too many bad experiences with having the bike returned damaged. The pulsating was horrible and ruined the experience to the point of not wanting to ride.
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Buy a can of spray brake cleaner.
Hose down the rivets that attach the rotor to the carrier whilst turning them with an allen key.
Once they all turn easily take her out for a test.
If it fixes the problem or improves it, do it once a month or every few thousand miles.
I kept my OEM front rotors going until I replaced with the Arashi ones at 42000 miles.
At that point they were at 4.1mm thick and the recommended minimum is 4.5mm.
Have had the Arashi's since then and they are great. There was a slight pulsing initially with these but cleaning the surface with a green scotchbrite and some brake cleaner fixed that.
Rear still has the OEM rotor and plenty of meat left in it too.
I tried that about 3 weekd ago and may have helped slightly. Cleaned the calipers and rotors as well but at this point either Kawa or me will be fixing the problem once and for all.
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Got word that Kawasaki agreed to replace the front rotors and pads. I inquired about part numbers and the dealer said that the parts are for 2012 and later C14's. I have not taken the time to look up the numbers, has anyone with a 2012 or later had to have the rotors and pads replaced? I will put the Chinese Rotors and 2014 Factory pads on the shelf just in case I need them.
On a side note they also agreed to replace the instrument cluster from where the sun damaged the needles and housing.
Thanks for encouraging me to try using the warranty, total cost of parts alone is almost $1900.00 before labor. Id say the warranty paid for itself.
looks like 09 and 10 rotors are the same, diff number for 2011, and another number for 2012
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That's great news. It's good to see that Ma Kaw is good for the warranty. :thumbs:
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That's great news. It's good to see that Ma Kaw is good for the warranty. :thumbs:
+1 :thumbs: :thumbs:
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I have until the 24th to decide whether to spend the 339, and after keeping up with this thread, I believe I should go for it, unemployed or not. tp
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I could just about buy two sets of used zx14 rotors, on ebay, for 339.00. I'm not sure I'd use this specific issue as a reason to extend.
sorry I had to edit..I type like a drunken four year old...
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I could just about buy two sets of used zx14 rotors, on ebay, for 339.00. I'm not sure I'd use this specific issue as a reason to extend.
sorry I had to edit..I type like a drunken four year old...
Well, tyhen you would have rotors of questionable heritage, that may be worse than you current ones... they were for sale for a reason...duh.
Ya still need pads, and even then, its all on you, no further warrantee of parts or service...pretty much a no brainer. Or, I could say that deal and lack of warrantee would have been made without using ones brain...
I have until the 24th to decide whether to spend the 339, and after keeping up with this thread, I believe I should go for it, unemployed or not. tp
I'm with you on the unemployed thing, money is tight, (im in the same boat currently, but my 08' is good for 2 more years) and its hard to reason the expense, but even my frugal wife would say get that extension, because once it lapses, tough luck Charlie...
If you plan on keeping this bike only a fool would not make the GTPP purchase. Don't wait till the last moment, as it just adds on to the expiration date of a current plan. You'll kick yourself if it runs out, and you have TPS or brake issues...hell, anything that goes wrong on this bike where you need a part, will cost in excess of $339 for a NEW part and install.
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Picked the bike up yesterday and it was great to have things back the way they are supposed to be. For the first time in a while I felt confidence in the bike. Maybe it is just me but they seem to have far less grab than the 09 pads and rotors.
My mileage had to start at 0 with the new instrument cluster but it is documented with Kawasaki and I took photos as well.
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Hi,
Glad everything worked out. I bought my 2012 from a dealer with 1900 miles on it. It looked showroom new. Still had the stickers on it. I bought additional warranty that will see me good to 2018! I call it CHEAP insurance as you see it does not take much to go wrong or wear out to make your money back! Brakes,rotors,TPS tire sensors,even little things like his add up! 8)
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Well, I finally had a chance to take mine into the dealer on this rotor issue, ( I was their over 3hrs had to wait for it) they told me the fronts were with in spec. so they drove it, and yes they admitted that their was a "pulse", then they noticed that my front tire had no wheel weights on it, and I told them 2 diff. dealers balanced it, so they REbalanced front wheel, and did NOT add any weights, they drove bike again, and of course still pulsed a little at the front. So they were gonna try and get Kawi to cover it, and or do some thing for me, they know that bike has GTPP till sep. of 2018. It was my first time at this dealer, since I did not buy it from them, the place I bought bike from told Kawasaki to take a hike, ( apparently kawai is very demanding on how many bikes they make you buy) So have to get to know new dealer. anyway after all the work they did, I did not pay for anything that day ??? and they said they will let me know..... this was on wed the 8th.
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Sounds "all good", to me. Be polite but persistant, in your desire for warranty coverage in this matter, and all should hopefully work out for you. Keep us posted, as what work is done under the extended warranty, as this is kinda like establishing a prescedent, for others to use as evidence of compliance. Just a thought... tp
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I had the same fears since I did not buy from them but this is the third time they have fixed something. Before they did some meter panel trim piece and they also replaced the TPMS sensors.
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Picked the bike up yesterday and it was great to have things back the way they are supposed to be. For the first time in a while I felt confidence in the bike. Maybe it is just me but they seem to have far less grab than the 09 pads and rotors.
My mileage had to start at 0 with the new instrument cluster but it is documented with Kawasaki and I took photos as well.
I agree...the new pads dont grab as hard as the older ones. Not weak, but maybe more progressive???
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556 Alpha,
Glad they replaced them for you, just hope you don't have the same experience my friend had with his '08....
Kawi and an incredibly reliable dealer replaced his 3 times.
They would be fine for about 3,000 miles or so, then would warp again.
After the 3rd time, he said forget it, the stock parts suck and ARE the problem.
Went with Galfors...end of problem...period.
My 2011 warped it's rotors after only 3,000 miles. After seeing what he went through, I decided it would be a total waste of time to have mine replaced under warranty.
So, I figured out that by using my rear brake pedal first, and braking with it most, then applying the fronts to complete the stop, I don't feel the warped pulsing. It took me a while to train myself to stop that way, but now it's second nature. It really helps!
I'm not rich enough to afford a set of Galfors, so I had to figure out something else. I now have 22,000 miles. So far, so good, using this method of stopping.
Kawasaki has had an issue with rotors since '08.
As many warranty replacements as they've now done, they're bound to realize there's a flaw.
The C14 is a remarkable bike, and I love the reliability both my friends' and mine has demonstrated.
Brake rotors are definitely one of it's weaknesses.
Bob
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My 08's rotors are still good after 23K miles, and one pad replacement. If I grab a handfull of front brake, it feels a little gritty, but no really pulsing. Maybe I am just lucky, but understanding what causes warpage, I use front and rear brakes together to take some of the heat/pressure off the front rotors.
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For what it's worth, the original rotors on my 08 lasted 125,000 miles without any pulsing or any other problem. They finally began with a mild pulsing at 125,000 miles but by then they were worn to well below the service limit. The only "trick" I used was to briefly release the brakes once or twice during the last few yards of a stop.
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I use front and rear brakes together to take some of the heat/pressure off the front rotors.
On the 2nd gen C-14, we don't have a choice with that :)
Even so, I think my rotors might also have a slight amount of warp too. In my case it is not enough to concern me.... most of the time I don't even notice it. Hopefully it won't progress, but my luck usually doesn't work that way.
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Max, I know you use Sunrise but Cycle World has surprisingly been great on my warranty issues and I bought from Rockingham in NC.
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Max, I know you use Sunrise but Cycle World has surprisingly been great on my warranty issues and I bought from Rockingham in NC.
I haven't used Cycle World before, mostly because I bought my bikes from Sunrise. Generally Sunrise has been good. But it is nice to know there is another very local option that is recommended, if I need an alternative.
I just stopped by Cycle world a few weeks ago, they had a burgundy Gen 1 C-14 there (tradein, no doubt), WITH HELI HORIZONS installed. First time I have ever seen those in person. Bigger than I thought they would be.
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Over 35 grand for miles. No braking issues. In fact, they work better than my new ZX14R.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/newnail001_zps6938e991.jpg) (http://s415.photobucket.com/user/Jimmymac25/media/newnail001_zps6938e991.jpg.html)
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Over 35 grand for miles. No braking issues. In fact, they work better than my new ZX14R.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/newnail001_zps6938e991.jpg) (http://s415.photobucket.com/user/Jimmymac25/media/newnail001_zps6938e991.jpg.html)
Yummy green 14R JM! :P 8) :chugbeer:
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I haven't used Cycle World before, mostly because I bought my bikes from Sunrise. Generally Sunrise has been good. But it is nice to know there is another very local option that is recommended, if I need an alternative.
I just stopped by Cycle world a few weeks ago, they had a burgundy Gen 1 C-14 there (tradein, no doubt), WITH HELI HORIZONS installed. First time I have ever seen those in person. Bigger than I thought they would be.
Did it have the bags off and a Delkevic stainless pipe? Quite possible that it was my bike as I have the Horizons installed on mine. They are quite large and with the small factory shield, stock seat, and no trunk or bags they look even larger. Here is a recent photo with the hybrid Russell seat. (Russell modified back/stock front)
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/2007electraroad/re_zps2879fd54.jpg)
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Did it have the bags off and a Delkevic stainless pipe?
Yes and yes. It also had side/tank pads on it and a large aftermarket windscreen like what you are showing in the photo. It might have been red instead of burgundy, the lighting was poor in there.
Quite possible that it was my bike as I have the Horizons installed on mine. They are quite large and with the small factory shield, stock seat, and no trunk or bags they look even larger. Here is a recent photo with the hybrid Russell seat. (Russell modified back/stock front)
I don't remember it having that seat, though. You are local to me? I don't remember that either (but I have a lousy memory). You sold your Concours?
The other Concours I saw there was a new, black 2014, a few weeks prior, which they had subsequently sold.
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Yummy green 14R JM! :P 8) :chugbeer:
Thanks Studmuffin. Took it to work today. What a ride.
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Yes and yes. It also had side/tank pads on it and a large aftermarket windscreen like what you are showing in the photo. It might have been red instead of burgundy, the lighting was poor in there.
I don't remember it having that seat, though. You are local to me? I don't remember that either (but I have a lousy memory). You sold your Concours?
The other Concours I saw there was a new, black 2014, a few weeks prior, which they had subsequently sold.
Probably mine, I just had it in for work I had the factory seat and small 09 screen on it though. I took the bags off so they would not be scratched. They installed the new pads/rotors and display. Yes I am in VB.
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Probably mine, I just had it in for work I had the factory seat and small 09 screen on it though.
The screen looked unusual, have never seen a gen1 screen before, that might be why I thought it was aftermarket. And yep, it was stock seat. So I "met" your bike!
I took the bags off so they would not be scratched.
Always a good idea
They installed the new pads/rotors and display.
Oops. I thought it was a trade in and sat on it :) Hope you don't mind. The sales guy apparently didn't know. Sorry.
Yes I am in VB.
Damn, we gotta connect sometime!
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Hey, it may be a God thing and you were suppose to meet. Hope y'all find some great riding together. tp
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They haven't met yet. Max just molested Alpha's bike. :_shudder_Emoticon
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They haven't met yet. Max just molested Alpha's bike. :_shudder_Emoticon
Eeeeeeeew..... all I did was sit on it!
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Eeeeeeeew..... all I did was sit on it!
So. Did you like the Heli-bars?
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So. Did you like the Heli-bars?
I was with someone else who was trying to leave, so I didn't have much time to look at them. They are impressive looking, for sure. Looking, sitting, and riding are all three very different things, though.
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Did they have it sitting out front? It was supposed to be in the warehouse but I dont mind someone who appreciates their bike taking a sit down. It sat there waiting for the parts for a week. If they are going to let it it sit out for display I will probably take it home next time if I have a problem.
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Did they have it sitting out front?
No, it was in the building in the back where they store the overstock bikes (assembled and also boxed). I thought since it was there, it was a trade-in. But I guess that is just where they store waiting bikes. Had the employee indicated it was not a trade-in or for sale, I would have looked but not touched/sat.
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Admit it though, great bikes, like the '14 are hard for us to look at and not sit on. I know, I currently work at a dealership and am sitting on different bikes all the time, all except the Duc 1190 Superleggera, that is ownewd by the GM. Not even allowed to dust that one.