New brake rotors?

Emu · June 21st, 2020, 04:28 PM

Following the service manual, I need to replace both my front and rear. I looked around and my choices are

BikeMaster Brake Rotors $99.95
Galfer Standard Solid Mount Wave Rotors $108.95
EBC Pro-Lite Contour Brake Rotor $148.95
EBC XC-Series Contour Rotors $222.95
Braking SK2 Directional Front Race Rotor $276.95
Kawasaki OEM $206 Rear/$296 Front

I'm not gonna track this bike, just need it for daily commuting. That being said, what is the difference between the front and rear OEM from kawi? If I bought 2 of the same after market disc's would I be alright with clearance on both the front and rear? I'm not too worried about the price overall, mostly wondering if you all have experience with any of these and what is your preference for non track riding.

DannoXYZ · June 21st, 2020, 10:44 PM

You don't have to match front & rear rotors. I have factory OEM rear rotor and pads on my track bike and after 4-seasons they are unworn and brand new.

Worst value is OEM Kawi brake rotors. They are made of 300-series stainless steel, which is a "soft" steel compared to what else is available. I did my first track season on new factory rotors with Galfer HH sintered pads (G1375 compound). After +40 days at track that season, factory rotors were gone, fully worn out. Galfer pads were half worn.

I replaced front rotor with Galfer wave rotor which are made from tougher grade of stainless. Heat-treated 420 which is one of hardest versions. One variant, 420C can't even be machined easily. After 3 more seasons and another complete set of Galfer 1375 pads, the front rotor shows ZERO wear after +100 days at track! Zero wear, can't measure any reduction in thickness, can't feel any ridges or waves in surface, no step between parts where pads touch vs. non-contact area next to it!

So when my bike needs new rotor, I'm putting on Galfer. I don't have any experience with of those other brands, so can't say anything about them. BTW , where are you finding Galfer rotor fr $108?

Emu · June 22nd, 2020, 04:03 AM

All prices are from bike bandit

https://www.bikebandit.com/aftermark...24638?m=148685

When I was looking last night, this wasn't on back order. Should have just ordered it

DannoXYZ · June 22nd, 2020, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emu

All prices are from bike bandit

https://www.bikebandit.com/aftermark...24638?m=148685

When I was looking last night, this wasn't on back order. Should have just ordered it

Ah, that's rear-rotor. Amazon has it for $108.90

Amazon/Moto Hero has front for $306. They have better seller rating than others

Emu · June 22nd, 2020, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

Ah, that's rear-rotor. Amazon has it for $108.90

Amazon/Moto Hero has front for $306. They have better seller rating than others

So the difference between the two is the higher priced one has the steel section riveted to the aluminum hub making it $300. The one from bike bandit is just a solid steel brake rotor with no fancy light aluminum.

I think I'm gonna go with the EBC rotors for now unless I find a pair of those galfers in stock. I'm not too worried about the price but I kinda don't want to drop $600+ on brake rotors

DannoXYZ · June 22nd, 2020, 04:31 PM

Difference is that one is front rotor and one is rear rotor. No one makes floating rear rotor simply because it's not needed for piddling amout of braking done by rear brakes. Thus solid rear rotors cost less than floating front ones. Other brands have similar difference in pricing as well, although ones with solid front+rear has more similar pricing.

Galfer = $109 rear + $306 front
Bikemaster = $99 rear + $122 front
EBC Pro-Lite Contour = $149 rear
EBC XC-Series Contour Rotors $ = $223 front
Braking SK2 Directional = $276.95 front

Emu · June 22nd, 2020, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ

Difference is that one is front rotor and one is rear rotor. No one makes floating rear rotor simply because it's not needed for piddling amout of braking done by rear brakes. Thus solid rear rotors cost less than floating front ones. Other brands have similar difference in pricing as well, although ones with solid front+rear has more similar pricing.

Galfer = $109 rear + $306 front
Bikemaster = $99 rear + $122 front
EBC Pro-Lite Contour = $149 rear
EBC XC-Series Contour Rotors $ = $223 front
Braking SK2 Directional = $276.95 front

OOOOOOOOOOOOH ok, as always, you're the man danno. Thanks for the info. I went on Braking USA's website and found that they have the same price, as of right now, listed for a floating and non floating rear disc at $116.
$275 front +$116 rear for that brand.
http://www.hardracing.com/Brakes/BrakingUSA.htm

Makes it the highest cost behind OEM pair of Discs.

The EBC pair comes out $43 less than the Galfer pair, with that info, I have been offically swayed to take up the Galfer pair next. Maybe after this pair wears out I'll try out the Braking USA pair just to see if it is that much more worth.

Triple Jim · June 22nd, 2020, 08:08 PM

Just out of curiosity, why are the rotors you have unusable? Are they just slightly thinner than the service limit? I know lots of guys who turn 1/3 of their rotor thickness off just to save weight. I'm certainly not telling you what to do though.

DannoXYZ · June 22nd, 2020, 08:29 PM

Must be error on Braking's site. A 320mm rear floating-disc does not make sense. That's larger than the front-rotor! You'd have to redo entire brake-caliper mount and slide it up swingarm. For zero performance gain since rear-brake really doesn't do anything, very odd...

yeah, I used my factory rotors down well past wear-limits before. They will actually warp and cause substantial shaking at some point and must be replaced.

Emu · June 22nd, 2020, 09:04 PM

My rear is 0.057mm before service limit and my front is like -0.01 or so out of service limit. out. I am basically fixing almost everything on the bike that needs fixed because the previous owner didn't really do anything beyond oil changes. My overall goal is to get the bike to a point where I don't have to worry about major services for a while, just maintain.
I have sold all of my other firsts in life (first pistol, rifle, guitar, etc) while still owning more of those things and I always grow to regret it. I want to keep this bike for a long time.

I have a secret project I am gonna be working on after I get all the parts in that I think everyone will find interesting.

June 21st, 2020, 04:28 PM	#1
Emu ninjette.org member Name: Emu Location: Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2019 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 55	New brake rotors? Following the service manual, I need to replace both my front and rear. I looked around and my choices are BikeMaster Brake Rotors $99.95 Galfer Standard Solid Mount Wave Rotors $108.95 EBC Pro-Lite Contour Brake Rotor $148.95 EBC XC-Series Contour Rotors $222.95 Braking SK2 Directional Front Race Rotor $276.95 Kawasaki OEM $206 Rear/$296 Front I'm not gonna track this bike, just need it for daily commuting. That being said, what is the difference between the front and rear OEM from kawi? If I bought 2 of the same after market disc's would I be alright with clearance on both the front and rear? I'm not too worried about the price overall, mostly wondering if you all have experience with any of these and what is your preference for non track riding.

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June 21st, 2020, 10:44 PM	#2
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	You don't have to match front & rear rotors. I have factory OEM rear rotor and pads on my track bike and after 4-seasons they are unworn and brand new. Worst value is OEM Kawi brake rotors. They are made of 300-series stainless steel, which is a "soft" steel compared to what else is available. I did my first track season on new factory rotors with Galfer HH sintered pads (G1375 compound). After +40 days at track that season, factory rotors were gone, fully worn out. Galfer pads were half worn. I replaced front rotor with Galfer wave rotor which are made from tougher grade of stainless. Heat-treated 420 which is one of hardest versions. One variant, 420C can't even be machined easily. After 3 more seasons and another complete set of Galfer 1375 pads, the front rotor shows ZERO wear after +100 days at track! Zero wear, can't measure any reduction in thickness, can't feel any ridges or waves in surface, no step between parts where pads touch vs. non-contact area next to it! So when my bike needs new rotor, I'm putting on Galfer. I don't have any experience with of those other brands, so can't say anything about them. BTW , where are you finding Galfer rotor fr $108?

June 22nd, 2020, 04:03 AM	#3
Emu ninjette.org member Name: Emu Location: Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2019 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 55	All prices are from bike bandit https://www.bikebandit.com/aftermark...24638?m=148685 When I was looking last night, this wasn't on back order. Should have just ordered it

June 22nd, 2020, 04:31 PM	#6
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	Difference is that one is front rotor and one is rear rotor. No one makes floating rear rotor simply because it's not needed for piddling amout of braking done by rear brakes. Thus solid rear rotors cost less than floating front ones. Other brands have similar difference in pricing as well, although ones with solid front+rear has more similar pricing. Galfer = $109 rear + $306 front Bikemaster = $99 rear + $122 front EBC Pro-Lite Contour = $149 rear EBC XC-Series Contour Rotors $ = $223 front Braking SK2 Directional = $276.95 front

June 22nd, 2020, 08:08 PM	#8
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Just out of curiosity, why are the rotors you have unusable? Are they just slightly thinner than the service limit? I know lots of guys who turn 1/3 of their rotor thickness off just to save weight. I'm certainly not telling you what to do though.

June 22nd, 2020, 08:29 PM	#9
DannoXYZ ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: AKA JacRyann Location: Mesa, AZ Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17	Must be error on Braking's site. A 320mm rear floating-disc does not make sense. That's larger than the front-rotor! You'd have to redo entire brake-caliper mount and slide it up swingarm. For zero performance gain since rear-brake really doesn't do anything, very odd... yeah, I used my factory rotors down well past wear-limits before. They will actually warp and cause substantial shaking at some point and must be replaced.

June 22nd, 2020, 09:04 PM	#10
Emu ninjette.org member Name: Emu Location: Oklahoma Join Date: Jun 2019 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250r Posts: 55	My rear is 0.057mm before service limit and my front is like -0.01 or so out of service limit. out. I am basically fixing almost everything on the bike that needs fixed because the previous owner didn't really do anything beyond oil changes. My overall goal is to get the bike to a point where I don't have to worry about major services for a while, just maintain. I have sold all of my other firsts in life (first pistol, rifle, guitar, etc) while still owning more of those things and I always grow to regret it. I want to keep this bike for a long time. I have a secret project I am gonna be working on after I get all the parts in that I think everyone will find interesting.