Brake Disc Update

[vfrtom]

You may recall the saga of my 2010 GTR which trashed front discs in 20k miles.
After many e-mails Kawasaki are maintaining this is normal wear and tear. They acknowledge a change in pad material in 2010, but claim thay do not know what the difference is.
I cannot accept that this is normal wear and will be contacting various bike press.
If any of you have 2010 or later models, I suggest you check the discs and any problems should be sent to Simon Chitty in customer services. E-mail below
[email protected]
I am extremely unhappy and will be investigating aftermarket discs for the future.
Tom

[Kwikasfuki]

Thanks for the update Tom. I still find it hard to believe that discs could wear after 20k. I think I use my front brake 99% of the time under heavy braking and my discs were fine until they suffered the dreaded warp issue.

I wouldn't bother spending the £700 Kawasaki want for the replacement discs and pad. You can get EBC for £370 or you could get the Chinese branded discs for £150 + pads. I bet the Chinese ones are just as good, if not better, than the Kawasaki OEM.

[Lonewolf]

Tom, sorry to hear this. Seriously though its times and issues like this that we as a 'group' can possibly help each other out.
Kawasaki are probably claiming that they haven't had many complaints re this, or you  are the only person etc that has raised this as an issue, typical bull shit when manufacturers etc dont want to be held responsible for fitting a part which is clearly not fit for its intended purpose.
Here's what we need to do, everybody on here with a 2010 onwards GTR needs to email that link you have posted and politely advise Kawasaki via Simon Chitty that there is potentially an issue with the discs, what harm can it do? Strength in numbers etc.
I will gladly do it if you wish. PM me if you wish to do so with a summary of discussions or copies of your correspondence and I will submit something along almost identical lines. They cant argue with the facts if they get many almost identical complaints can they?

[Mogster]

good point, hows about someone puts together a kinda template that we can use... seeing as there are some us who have english as their second language .......Drunkanese being my first lol 

[O.C.]

I think that contacting Kawasaki as a group is probably a good idea, however I also think its important to substantiate our contacts with evidence of problems, as, to me just contacting them and saying "we know there is a potential problem" doesn't really cut the mustard, they will need fact in support of such claims.

I would have hoped/thought that Kawasaki U.K would monitor this and other related forums related to the GTR in an effort to keep abreast of running/maintenance issues.

I do agree that having to change discs at 20k miles does seem to be an indication of poor disc material maybe coupled with harsh pad material, dont forget also that the front and rear brakes are linked, wether that has any bearing on this issue or not, i really don't know.

I will be monitoring the disc thickness on my GTR and watching with interest.

[Winston Smith]

Never, ever had any problems with other marques machines, particularly Honda.  A 50k Blackbird and 37k Pan both ran on original discs and were never even worn never mind warped.  GTR - 2 x sets in 20k??!! 

[Martin#30]

As a 2010 owner with disks worn below the 4.5mm limit (mine are at 4.39mm now) at 24,000 miles, I can sympathise Tom. My second set of brake pads is almost worn out too.

I have called my dealer, and as expected, got the fair wear and tear reply.

Like Tom, I am very disappointed but I do not expect Kawasaki to change their mind. To me, they have fitted cheaper pads to the 2010 on model that wear much faster than the previous year's part. All to save £20 a bike up front. They can legally (though not morally if you ask me) argue that this is wear and tear, you must be hard on brakes sir.

Tom, I applaud you for challenging it with Kawasaki but myself, I shall be buying aftermarket disks/pads and chalking it up to experience.

Martin.

[100milesaway]

Tom, sorry to hear this. Seriously though its times and issues like this that we as a 'group' can possibly help each other out.
Kawasaki are probably claiming that they haven't had many complaints re this, or you  are the only person etc that has raised this as an issue, typical bull shit when manufacturers etc dont want to be held responsible for fitting a part which is clearly not fit for its intended purpose.
Here's what we need to do, everybody on here with a 2010 onwards GTR needs to email that link you have posted and politely advise Kawasaki via Simon Chitty that there is potentially an issue with the discs, what harm can it do? Strength in numbers etc.
I will gladly do it if you wish. PM me if you wish to do so with a summary of discussions or copies of your correspondence and I will submit something along almost identical lines. They cant argue with the facts if they get many almost identical complaints can they?

But why should you, or I complain about something that we have not had a problem with?. I feel really sorry for Tom, and agree that there is no way that his bike should do its discs in at 20,000 miles, BUT the rest of us ganging up on Kawasaki is in my opinion not the right way to address the problem. I have had no problems at all with my bike, and would not want the manufacturer thinking that there is a widespread problem with a certain issue, when in truth there may not be. Tom has a problem and by the sound of it Kawasaki are not being very sympathetic, and I wish him well in resolving the problem. But I dont think the rest of us squaring up to Kawasaki, when we have not had a problem is going to help the situation.

[Kwikasfuki]

Even though its their flagship tourer, my personal opinion is Kawasaki are cutting costs. I have been disappointed with a few things, namely the disc warping, quality of bearings (replaced twice now) and the flimsy wind shield bracket.

All manufactures have issues. Sometimes it would be nice if common sense prevailed, especially with discs wearing at 20k.

Still love the bike though.

[Lonewolf]

Geoff, apologies if I have been misunderstood. I wasnt suggesting we should gang up on anyone, just in an organised way and collectively for those that this concerns to address the matter as a group rather than a single voice.

[vfrtom]

Thanks for all your support.
I was suggesting mob rule in complaining to Kawasaki, but if any other riders have the same problem, it is vital they let Mr Chitty know.
I will not let this drop and will keep you updated.
They admit a change of pad material, but claim to not know what the difference is.
Tom

[O.C.]

Thanks for all your support.
I was suggesting mob rule in complaining to Kawasaki, but if any other riders have the same problem, it is vital they let Mr Chitty know.
I will not let this drop and will keep you updated.
They admit a change of pad material, but claim to not know what the difference is.
Tom

It's interesting that Kawasaki make the claim about not knowing what the new pad material difference is.

Perhaps then, they could make enquiries as to 'why' the material was changed

[Andy]

Have 2011-12 models got different discs?

[Kwikasfuki]

Have 2011-12 models got different discs?

Nope. '10 model onwards

Both the discs and pads were changed. The discs due to the warping issue. Don't know why the pad compound was changed

[GTRPete]

You may recall the saga of my 2010 GTR which trashed front discs in 20k miles.
After many e-mails Kawasaki are maintaining this is normal wear and tear. They acknowledge a change in pad material in 2010, but claim thay do not know what the difference is.
I cannot accept that this is normal wear and will be contacting various bike press.
If any of you have 2010 or later models, I suggest you check the discs and any problems should be sent to Simon Chitty in customer services. E-mail below
[email protected]
I am extremely unhappy and will be investigating aftermarket discs for the future.
Tom

My discs wore out (officially) at 24K.  I had problems with them at the 16K service but nothing was done at that point (which I regard as suspect).  At my big 24K service my pads were replaced.  At 26K I was in Protyre in Bristol and the tyre fitter there told my my discs were knackered, as were the pads.  So, either the discs became knackered AFTER the 24K service OR new pads were put on to work with shagged discs (which then subsequently shagged the pads in less than 2k miles) and Kawacrappy then tell me its fair wear and tear.

This is absolute horse sh*t.  The are not using quality discs in the first place and they are refusing to acknowledge it.  This was my third warranty claim on the bike (exhaust paint, seized rear shock and then the discs).  My concern is what's next?  All I can say is I never EVER had a problem with my Fireblades or the Gixxers I had over the last six years or so.  My previous Kawasaki (a ZX9R some years ago) had chocolate discs (8k miles!!!) on it and after a scrap with Kawasaki were replaced under warranty.  Oh and WD40 removed the paint from my wheels as well....

I love this bike, it has been the best bike ever for chewing up the miles,  but I am not sure if I will buy another given the quality issues and now Big K messing me about. 

I will not be purchasing an additional warranty and will now be getting the bike serviced at Morpheus motorcycles in Bristol 100% of the time and sod the remaining warranty (September this year).  If anyone wants the photos of the discs and pads destroyed after less than 2k miles let me know and I will email them to you

VFR1200 looks tasty and Honda build quality and reliability (in my opinion) is the dogs.....