Pardon the pun but what is the proper way to "break" in your brakes? I understand why you want to "bed" your pads but what is the proper way? also, is anyone aware of a brake upgrade kit for the V?
right now its more for information, I don't have alot of miles on a V under my belt so I ask alot of ??????? to gain a knowlege base. I did hear, and I don't know if its true or not but its been said the stock V front rotors are prone to warping.
my answer will be... just ride, brakes will work properly after few braking. I think there's no need to upgrade those brakes, in my opinion sense have only installation of stainless brake lines.
The only thing you really need to do is set the brakes. That is done simply by pumping the brake lever a few times to make sure the pistons, and therefore the brake pads, are pushed in correctly so the brake pads are "riding" on (lightly touching) the rotors. They will seat themselves naturally but you do want to take it easy on them for the first 50 to 100 miles while they seat in. No stoppies (endos).
Haven't looked into the upgrades so afraid I can't help you there.
Since new, I've had some harmonic noise on the front brakes. The pads are in contact with the rotor (so a wushing sound when I've got the front wheel in the air and spin the tire). At speeds above 40mph, this turns to a hum, and doesn't change tone faster or slower. Apply the brakes, and the hum goes away.
I took it to 2 different dealers, thinking it was bearings. They said this noise was normal. I'm still not agreeing with these answers. It's getting louder within the past couple of weeks, and I'm to the point of pulling off the calipers and replacing the pads to see if this changes anything. In my opionion, I shouldn't be hearing this humming at freeway speeds over the road noise and through my full face helmet!
Sure, that's what the manual says. I haven't done it because my brakes feel as strong now as when I bought the bike 2 years ago. I'm waiting until I can begin to feel some sponginess in the lever, otherwise what's the point? (Having said that, I'll probably change the fluid this winter, for somehing to do.)
I kept the original pads but purchased a set of Stainless steel braided brake lines last winter.
The brakes have a much better feel and stopping power has improved.
I went touring in the mountains last summer with the stock brakes and braking was never an issue but I was bored this winter and decided to get the brakes lines for the V
Another question...
How long do brake pads last?
I've had the bike almost a year now... a bit over 10k mies... will they need changing soon?
They seem to operate just as well as they did when they were new...
Since new, I've had some harmonic noise on the front brakes. The pads are in contact with the rotor (so a wushing sound when I've got the front wheel in the air and spin the tire). At speeds above 40mph, this turns to a hum, and doesn't change tone faster or slower. Apply the brakes, and the hum goes away.
I took it to 2 different dealers, thinking it was bearings. They said this noise was normal. I'm still not agreeing with these answers. It's getting louder within the past couple of weeks, and I'm to the point of pulling off the calipers and replacing the pads to see if this changes anything. In my opionion, I shouldn't be hearing this humming at freeway speeds over the road noise and through my full face helmet!
Any thoughts?
Took it to the dealer this week for a new front tire. I told them to go through the brakes while everything was apart. They cleaned and lubed everything up real nice, but no change. If I can find a spot where pads are sold (besides from Kawi through the dealer), that may be my next step.
On the bright side. If you can hear your pads rub over the rest of the cacophony that is Kawasaki assembly, you've likely got a well put together bike!
Use a flashlight and see how close the steel pad backing plate is to the rotor. Change when you've got about 1/16" left.
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