My 2011 is the worse bike I've had yet, because of the front rotor issues. It currently has under 15,000 miles. It has had rotors changed out 3 times. The last time was at 13,200 miles and it is sitting in the garage with warped rotors again 1500 miles later. Every set of rotors started the pulsating at about the same 1200 mile mark. Continues to worsen as you ride it. It goes back in to see the Kawasaki Service Tech from New England on July 7-9 for the second time.
My 2010 is the bike I am riding when this isn't sitting. The rotors on this bike were changed at 38,000 miles due to warping. The 2010 feels way better than the 2011 and always has.
There is a serious brake issue with these bikes. Hopefully Kawasaki will be putting a different brand of brakes on these soon. Or they'll lose customers.
My 2011 is the worse bike I've had yet, because of the front rotor issues. It currently has under 15,000 miles. It has had rotors changed out 3 times. The last time was at 13,200 miles and it is sitting in the garage with warped rotors again 1500 miles later. Every set of rotors started the pulsating at about the same 1200 mile mark. Continues to worsen as you ride it. It goes back in to see the Kawasaki Service Tech from New England on July 7-9 for the second time.
My 2010 is the bike I am riding when this isn't sitting. The rotors on this bike were changed at 38,000 miles due to warping. The 2010 feels way better than the 2011 and always has.
There is a serious brake issue with these bikes. Hopefully Kawasaki will be putting a different brand of brakes on these soon. Or they'll lose customers.
Two questions:
1)How can I figure out if I need new calipers?
2) My rear brakes don't pulsate like the front but is it better to replace both front and back? Worse case maybe order new rear pads?
Thanks Brian. The rears seem to work fine, worse case new pads because I've been using them more with the rotors on the front being shot. I miss Razees though, and I'm not impressed with the dealers here in Alabama but did find an independent who will do them.
I'm also sticker shocked with the cost of the EBC parts though!! $551 for rotors and pads through motorcycle superstore!!!
First time buying brakes so maybe it's normal.
Thanks Brian. The rears seem to work fine, worse case new pads because I've been using them more with the rotors on the front being shot. I miss Razees though, and I'm not impressed with the dealers here in Alabama but did find an independent who will do them.
I'm also sticker shocked with the cost of the EBC parts though!! $551 for rotors and pads through motorcycle superstore!!!
First time buying brakes so maybe it's normal.
I'm also sticker shocked with the cost of the EBC parts though!! $551 for rotors and pads through motorcycle superstore!!!
Interesting. The rotor carriers were changed mid- year in 2011 I think and it seems that the incidence of rotor warping has declined or at least it appears to the be the case based on the number of complaints (that is not data, only my perception). That said, when I was at the COG national rally, a few of us got into that discussion and we looked around at a bunch of C-14's of various years: there was clearly a change in the later rotor carriers but it seems that the late carriers were actually lighter than the early ones! At least the notches stamped out of the carriers is larger, meaning there is less area of rotor carrier on the later models. Of course they may be thicker and so overall be heavier but that is not how they appear. ??Thanks Brian. Some good info right there. I really think that there is something bigger than just brakes wrong with the 2011. I am not a Tech, so I can only guess. Like you I put a lot of miles on these bikes and am trying not to switch to a different brand. But this 2011 has really sucked out my patience, I'll have more info after July 10th or so.
At any rate, I have an '08 with stock rotors: the first set warped at 57K miles and was replaced, front and rear. The rear again warped soon after, and was also replaced under warranty but I found the caliper had one piston stuck (not quite frozen but stiff (easy boys!)). The front rotors are still smooth approaching 100K miles, and the second replacement rear rotor has been fine also.
I will ask my local dealer about the incidence of rotors warping on later C-14's next time I stop by.
Brian
Murph can save you maybe $40.00 for the full front EBC set up. And no one ships faster. I just finished changing mine this afternoon.
www.murphskits.com
Anyone used the EBC pro pads? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co.uk/30961/i/ebc-extreme-pro-front-brake-pad
I'll be changing my rotors soon and plan on going with EBC as well
The rotors or PJ's?
Thanks Brian. Some good info right there. I really think that there is something bigger than just brakes wrong with the 2011. I am not a Tech, so I can only guess. Like you I put a lot of miles on these bikes and am trying not to switch to a different brand. But this 2011 has really sucked out my patience, I'll have more info after July 10th or so.
....I'm also sticker shocked with the cost of the EBC parts though!! $551 for rotors and pads through motorcycle superstore!!!...
Murph can save you maybe $40.00 for the full front EBC set up. And no one ships faster. I just finished changing mine this afternoon.
www.murphskits.com
I paid $174.50 each for my EBC XC rotors from Amazon
EBC Brakes MD4155XC Brake Rotor
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC