Warped front rotors

[fatsingleguy]

I thought I was crazy but mine warped at 3k miles

[AndrewD]

Dealer checked the front rotors. Reported to be within range in terms of thickness and movement. They advised next step is to change the pads which I will do when I do my tires in about 2000km. Perhaps the pads didn't bed in right.

[mrjim]

I took the bike to the dealer and had a tech ride it. He felt the problem but said that it could be the worn front tire. New tire installed, same pulsating. Next he adjusted steering head bearing 1 half turn tighter, same pulsating. Rotor run out was within spec. Kawasaki was called and I get new rotors next week!

[Reciprocal]

I took the bike to the dealer and had a tech ride it. He felt the problem but said that it could be the worn front tire. New tire installed, same pulsating. Next he adjusted steering head bearing 1 half turn tighter, same pulsating. Rotor run out was within spec. Kawasaki was called and I get new rotors next week!

I'm glad you got new rotors finally but it's maddening what they put you through. Pulsating rotors is an obvious condition. I guess too, I've never had a bike that I did not wear the rotors into a warped, pulsating condition at some point, usually earlier than later.

What it come down to I think, is if the condition develops while Kawasaki is still willing to extend warranty coverage for it. Otherwise the new rotors would be on me.

[Reciprocal]

I don't like talking about things that make me slower.

[FJR919]

Glad I hung on to the rotors from the crashed bike. Hopefully I'll never need them.

[danham]

Not to say rotors never warp, but a more common cause of brake pulsation is pad material "baked" onto rotors in spots. Typical scenario: after some vigorous braking with pads and rotors hot, you get stuck in traffic and sit with the brakes on, pads touching the discs. Some pad material transfers to the rotor in that spot and every time it comes around in rotation under normal braking, you get more (or less) friction than on the rest of the disc and the lever pulses.

If you are lucky, you can sand and clean it off, but usually it bonds to the metal and you have to replace the rotor and pads. Oh, and if you use a dial indicator to look for warpage, be sure it is in a clean part of the disc, or else deposited material will read just like warpage.

-dan

[stk0308]

After having to replace a rotor that was contaminated by a blown fork seal in 2019, I also replaced both sets of pads at the time. I've had a shudder under braking appear late last year. After a very hard weekend in Arkansas it has lessened, but not gone away. Has anyone come up with an aftermarket replacement? The Kawasaki part number shows being used by the H2 SX models only. So, no luck cross fitting the direct part number, just from another model.

[Champ87]

The Kawasaki part number shows being used by the H2 SX models only.

Really? When I put together my part number comparison, OEM discs for the SX, SE and SE+ all had the same part numbers. Kawasaki Part # 41080-0688-18U

[stk0308]

The Kawasaki part number shows being used by the H2 SX models only.

Really? When I put together my part number comparison, OEM discs for the SX, SE and SE+ all had the same part numbers. Kawasaki Part # 41080-0688-18U

That's what I mean. That part number isn't being use for, like, the Ninja 1000, or ZX10R. I was hoping for it to cross over to another model that will make it more profitable for an aftermarket company to make a version.