Brake rotors pulsating after 2k miles

wheelieboy1 · Dec 21, 2014

I recently picked up a like new used HS from a reputable dealer. The balance of the factory warranty remains until March 2016. I have about 200 miles on the bike and today noticed the front brakes pulsating at slow speeds when I come to a stop. Its bad enough that the forks dive up and down when the brakes are grabbing. I have had this issue on other bikes and it usually required replacement of the rotors. Has anyone had this issue on their HS and how has Ducati warranty taken care of you? I bought a new Concourse 14 a couple of years ago new and it too had pulsating brakes after about 10K miles. Still under warranty, the dealer fought me on replacing the rotors and when they did, they wanted to throw the old pads back on. Anyway... Just wanted to know if anyone else experienced this with their new HS and wanted to know what kind of warranty support they received.

jbogueb · Dec 21, 2014

brakes

I did have this problem and for me it was a matter of replacing the pads with HH pads. My dealer submitted the cost to Ducati. All better now. I don't think its likely a rotor problem.

wheelieboy1 · Dec 21, 2014

Interesting. When I put the front end up in the air, I can physically feel and hear when the pads contact the rotor. The wheel drags at the same spot every rotation. I'm going to remove one of the calipers and see if I can narrow it down to one side. Not sure if pads will solve this problem.

GuyW · Dec 21, 2014

This is a common issue.

My assessment is that it is just brake pad material build up on the rotor. A different brand of pad can reduce it. Cleaning the rotor should fix it, but exactly how to best do this I don't know. I have tried disk brake cleaner and scouring pads with limited success.

Some people have got all bitter and twisted over this and demanded new disks, but the replacements just do the same thing.

You could try a few hard stops to "clean up" the rotor. Or just ignore it, which is what I do now.

Interestingly my son's Triumph Street Triple does the same thing albeit less noticeable.

Note: Disks are not bent unless they show runout with a runout gauge.

porkrind · Dec 21, 2014

From what I've read here, and my own experiences, I think the stock brake pads are made out of something like cheese. About every 2000 miles I have the problem with the groaning and shuddering with hard stops. I hit the rotors with brake cleaner and then the Scotch-Brite pad and all is well again. I know I really should swap out the pads, but for now I'm just fine doing this procedure every once in a while.

appliance821 · Dec 22, 2014

deglazing

GuyW said:
This is a common issue.

My assessment is that it is just brake pad material build up on the rotor. A different brand of pad can reduce it. Cleaning the rotor should fix it, but exactly how to best do this I don't know. I have tried disk brake cleaner and scouring pads with limited success.

Some people have got all bitter and twisted over this and demanded new disks, but the replacements just do the same thing.

You could try a few hard stops to "clean up" the rotor. Or just ignore it, which is what I do now.

Interestingly my son's Triumph Street Triple does the same thing albeit less noticeable.

Note: Disks are not bent unless they show runout with a runout gauge.

Here's avid on deglazing - might be helpful:

VIDEO HOW-TO: Deglazing Brake Rotors In the MC GARAGE | Motorcyclist

Monster796230713 · Dec 22, 2014

I've got a Monster 796 and this is a common condition with Monsters of all sizes. Many believe their rotors are warped and have them replaced under warranty. The issue began severely on my bike after first washing it. The brake rotors should "float" on the rivets but after washing the bike they seemed "stuck". I solved the issue by placing a TINY drop of moly based lube (I use MPT-12) on each rivet after each wash and letting the bike sit over night before riding. I've never experienced the issue again.

PomGP · Dec 22, 2014

Monster796230713 said:
I've got a Monster 796 and this is a common condition with Monsters of all sizes. Many believe their rotors are warped and have them replaced under warranty. The issue began severely on my bike after first washing it. The brake rotors should "float" on the rivets but after washing the bike they seemed "stuck". I solved the issue by placing a TINY drop of moly based lube (I use MPT-12) on each rivet after each wash and letting the bike sit over night before riding. I've never experienced the issue again.

That makes complete sense to me

peoples1234 · Dec 23, 2014

Monster796230713 said:
I've got a Monster 796 and this is a common condition with Monsters of all sizes. Many believe their rotors are warped and have them replaced under warranty. The issue began severely on my bike after first washing it. The brake rotors should "float" on the rivets but after washing the bike they seemed "stuck". I solved the issue by placing a TINY drop of moly based lube (I use MPT-12) on each rivet after each wash and letting the bike sit over night before riding. I've never experienced the issue again.

This is essentially what the dealer did to mine when I took it in for this problem.

zippy49 · Dec 23, 2014

I've never had this happen with the Strada, but I once put a set of Galfer "wave" rotors and EBC HH pads on the front of my '95 Triumph 900. They chattered so badly that I took them back off and bought new OEM rotors. Problem solved.

I think that those Galfers also had sticky buttons. I tried cleaning them and the pads, to no avail. Their rep told me that I was not allowed to use spray brake cleaner (acetone) on the rotors...

The result is that I have no intention of repeating that mistake. EBC and Brembo for me!

wheelieboy1 · Dec 23, 2014

I appreciate everyone's replies. Good to know that it most likely isn't a warping issues with the rotors. I will probably try changing the stock pads and lubricating the rivets on the rotors. Thanks for everyone's help.

Ian · Dec 26, 2014

Hi, I had the same pulsing from the front brakes so I fitted EBC sintered pads and the problem has gone away.

peoples1234 · Dec 29, 2014

I had a chance to ride again today. Pulsing is back.

Ordered the ebc double h pads today. Hope that helps.

gatdammit · Dec 30, 2014

resurface the rotors with a scotch brite pad and brake parts cleaner. should be good to go.

RoadChick · Apr 3, 2015

appliance821 said:
Here's avid on deglazing - might be helpful:

VIDEO HOW-TO: Deglazing Brake Rotors In the MC GARAGE | Motorcyclist

Thanks for the video link, very helpful!

gatdammit · Apr 5, 2015

Mentioned on another thread: lightly oil the bobbins. I just did this on my Brembo race rotors that have more float than OEM. Mine were starting to chatter and moan, and I have EBC HH pads.

Put a little gun oil on each bobbin and spun. Mind the run off as you don't want it on the rotor surface. Like butter now.

devilears · Nov 24, 2015

Hi, I have a 2014 Hyper and also had the "pulsating front brake" issue. My dealer had to test the runout of the disks and submit a video of the procedure to Ducati. They then replaced both front disks under warrantee.

BelloStrada · Nov 24, 2015

All of this rotor/pad replacement dialog is laughable. Put one very small drop of a good moly lube on each rotor button after washing your bike and the pulsing will "magically" disappear. No dealer, warranty, downtime hassles involved.

wheelieboy1 · Feb 5, 2016

Had the same problem. Tried the EBC's along with cleaning and scuffing the rotors... no luck. Got a set of used Monster 1100 rotors from 2009 for $60 off of ebay and the problem went away. They are the exact same look, fit and design. Maybe they just used better quality materials in 09. I have a 2009 M1100 also so I already measured and made sure they fit before buying them.

wheelieboy1 · Feb 5, 2016

Tried the oil on the floater rivets and it helped, but didn't last long. It's also nearly impossible to put any lubricant on them without it slinging out to the brake surface after highway driving.

Brake rotors pulsating after 2k miles

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