Front rotors

[connie and me]

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....

[VirginiaJim]

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.

[ZG]

EBC 

[jirod]

... 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/

[connie and me]

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....

[556ALPHA]

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.

[tomp]

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

[maxtog]

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.

[jtk1531]

i've switched to EBC rotors and brake pads, absolutely satisfied with it.
bought the rotors from http://ebcbrakesdirect.com
bought EBC pads from ebay.

[tomp]

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. 

[556ALPHA]

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.

[tomp]

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

[tonedeaf]

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/

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.

[stelt]

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 $$

[maxtog]

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.

[Boomer]

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.

[556ALPHA]

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.

[556ALPHA]

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.

[556ALPHA]

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

[gPink]

That's great news. It's good to see that Ma Kaw is good for the warranty.