Brake Disc Update

[Mogster]

I do wonder whether we should be looking at car type milage on our discs, we want good handling , easier to turn, light and CHEAP! bikes. which means there is going to have to be some sort of compromise somewhere.
If you want all the goodies that seem to be the norm nowadays you are going to have to get used to paying much more for ya bikes, traction control, ABS, heated this and that, master control computers on the dash, etc ect...

Years ago, when i had hair, there were none of these things bikes were cheap and brakes disc were the thickness of manhole covers... oh and disc brakes didn't work...

Short answer is tbh, if you are unhappy with the GTR and the cost of running it, buy a Car....

Modern motorcycling is not cheap, sevicing costs are increasing as dealers both good and crap struggle with all the technology that our bikes have now....
Yes i do agree that sometimes parts are expensive, dispraportionaly so... for example, the discs went on my Tuono after 12,000 mikes, they cost £70 each to replace (aprilia ones) but I also realise that if i am going to ride the thing hard i have to expect to pay for it.

I am bloody amazed at the bikes I own, i've been riding since i was 16 and marvel at the advances in technology, kit ect. yes i agree sometimes suppliers and  dealers get it wrong, but usually if you work with them they will put things right. Go through the channels, get Trading standards involved.... but understand, they arn't there to stich you up and if you feel that way...  sell the GTR and buy a sumit else.
But to be sure, i think you'll find the grass isn't as green as it looks.

[viper]

I do wonder whether we should be looking at car type milage on our discs, we want good handling , easier to turn, light and CHEAP! bikes. which means there is going to have to be some sort of compromise somewhere.
If you want all the goodies that seem to be the norm nowadays you are going to have to get used to paying much more for ya bikes, traction control, ABS, heated this and that, master control computers on the dash, etc ect...

Years ago, when i had hair, there were none of these things bikes were cheap and brakes disc were the thickness of manhole covers... oh and disc brakes didn't work...

Short answer is tbh, if you are unhappy with the GTR and the cost of running it, buy a Car....

Modern motorcycling is not cheap, sevicing costs are increasing as dealers both good and crap struggle with all the technology that our bikes have now....
Yes i do agree that sometimes parts are expensive, dispraportionaly so... for example, the discs went on my Tuono after 12,000 mikes, they cost £70 each to replace (aprilia ones) but I also realise that if i am going to ride the thing hard i have to expect to pay for it.

I am bloody amazed at the bikes I own, i've been riding since i was 16 and marvel at the advances in technology, kit ect. yes i agree sometimes suppliers and  dealers get it wrong, but usually if you work with them they will put things right. Go through the channels, get Trading standards involved.... but understand, they arn't there to stich you up and if you feel that way...  sell the GTR and buy a sumit else.
But to be sure, i think you'll find the grass isn't as green as it looks.

+1

running our gtr cost more to run than our merc.

The other thing to factor in when buying tyres and discs and pads is that the production runs on such consumable is so much smaller than that of  cars , so there is no economy of scale, especially with tyres, less people making them, less people selling into a smaller market = higher prices.

[Kwikasfuki]

But to be sure, i think you'll find the grass isn't as green as it looks.

Amen. That's why I'm sticking with the GTR

Edit: However, I do think on a marquee product skimping on costs isn't always the best idea. Accountants I tell ya ...

[Boomer]

I don't think that Kawi skimped on products, but there is every chance that their brake disc supplier did.
I really must get round to checking the width of my front discs this weekend.
There is no lip on them, inside or outside and the bike stops as good as it always has.

I don't expect car like longevity from tyres, brakes, clutches or wheel bearings, but a disc lasting 20k miles is pathetic.
Jeez, my OEM front pads lasted 24k miles.
Wheel bearings should last at least 50k miles as well, not the disappointing 20-25k we get on the front wheel.

[vfrtom]

Looks like I have drawn a blank with Big K
They acknowledge the pads were changed due to the introduction of ABS across the range. They still maintain they do not know what the difference is and that 20k is fair wear and tear.
I will now be contacting avrious mags and TV programmes to stir it up a bit.
Not optimistic, but who knows.
On the basis I get no-where, can anyone recommend aftermarket discs for the next change.
Happy to pay K prices, but would expect much better wear rates
Tom

[Kwikasfuki]

I have the EBC ones on. Still early days but very good so far.

There's some cheaper Chinese ones that are available. I read on the USA forums that these are also very good. I would have gone for them had I been paying for them

[1ka]

I did 60K on the FJR with the original discs. 

I've done 8K on the GTR and the dealer is replacing the discs because they are warped.    I didn't even have to ask them, they noticed in the service, so kudos to Bristol Kawasaki.

[Ubertours]

Ive done 40,000 miles on a blackbird and 28000 on a busa bothon original discs, they were never an issue. Something is not right!!!

[howard]

Hi
My discs were changed at 8k allso. Brill bike shame about the poor quality discs that Kawasaki fit.

[vfrtom]

All the bikes I have had previously, VFRs and Blackbirdds, all did 70-80K and never had the discs changed. What does that tell you.

[Martin#30]

I am still convinced it is the pads, rather than the discs.

I don't think anyone on the 2008/9 bikes has the same issue, and from what I can see on the Cornwall Kawasaki parts fiche, only the pads changed between the 08/9 bikes and the 2010 onwards. Discs are the same part number, and price.

Not that this helps us 2010 owners with worn discs.

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

I am still convinced it is the pads, rather than the discs.

I don't think anyone on the 2008/9 bikes has the same issue, and from what I can see on the Cornwall Kawasaki parts fiche, only the pads changed between the 08/9 bikes and the 2010 onwards. Discs are the same part number, and price.

Not that this helps us 2010 owners with worn discs.

Martin.

The Cornwall Kawasaki parts fiche shows only the reference number, not the actual part number. Been caught out with that several times! The Kawasaki site now has a much better parts fiche.

The 08/09 bikes had the following part for the disc 41080-0102-5C.
2010 onwards have the following part for the disc 41080-0570-5C.

(You need to click on Front Brake to link to the actual part)

I believe the difference is due to the warping issue (that's what I was told when mine were replaced under warranty).

[Martin#30]

The Cornwall Kawasaki parts fiche shows only the reference number, not the actual part number. Been caught out with that several times! The Kawasaki site now has a much better parts fiche.

The 08/09 bikes had the following part for the disc 41080-0102-5C.
2010 onwards have the following part for the disc 41080-0570-5C.

(You need to click on Front Brake to link to the actual part)

I believe the difference is due to the warping issue (that's what I was told when mine were replaced under warranty).

Excellent investigation, thanks Asif.

Still leads me to think pads though. Neither vfrtom nor I have suffered warped discs, but both of us have had the discs wear below their minimum limit in around 20k miles. Assuming the 2010 disc is an improved part vs. 2008/9 to combat warping, and also assuming there are no pre 2010 bikes wearing discs so quickly, I can only surmise pads.

Lots of assumption there, lots of areas where I could be wrong, but I personally won't be using the OEM 2010 pads any more. I am tempted to use the OEM 2008/9 ones though.

Martin.

[Kwikasfuki]

I've used both types of pads and TBH I couldn't really notice a difference.

What do I need to measure the discs? I'll see how much mine have worn

[Lonewolf]

A pair of these will do the job nicely.


Or perhaps these would be easier to get in.