New to the Forum, but I have had my 2012 Switchback for about 900 miles so far and I'm noticing a vibration/noise when braking/slowing down leaning into a corner? I do not notice the vibration at speeds or cruising? The bike has almost 11,000 miles. The tires look good, but I have read they could be the problem and now I'm concerned about the brake pads. The front brakes will make a slight noise when applied. This is my first Harley so not to sure if this is normal, but I assume not. Thanks in advance!

When slowing down with the front brake while entering a corner when I lean I hear a grinding like sound and you can feel it through the handlebars? I have checked and everything is tight and I have plenty of brake pads left? Cannot add picture?

 

I'd be changing tyres and spending some time with your brake callipers off, some brake clean and a small brush.

I ride in the rain quite a bit and a clean of the pads/calipers is monthly maintenance for me.

 

That grinding in a corner can be a wheel bearing. Look at the seals, see if one is partially dislodged, or grease or rust streaks coming out from the bearing. If you can lift the front wheel (pretty much means you have to have a jack), hand spin the wheel to see if there's brake drag or any roughness that could be a bearing. Vibration can come from neck bearings, too, but I doubt they'd make your grinding noise. Used to be the most common cause was the front tire, but now a lot of guys with later year Harleys are reporting bad wheel bearings, its worth checking out. Tire is annoying, wheel bearing can put you down. Unfortunately sometimes there's nothing to see for a bad tire, and sometimes you can't feel a bad bearing by spinning a wheel, have to take the wheel off, pop a seal and look inside, turn the inside race with a finger while the axle's out. That's worst case, often they let themselves be known, tires and bearings both, if you know what to look for.

 

got a double post somehow

 

 

FWIW don't use front brake in a curve use rear brake to shave a few off the top.

 

Update:
I went through and found both front lower motor mounts to be loose including the frame mount, also the exhaust mount was loose and checked the rear wheel drive and all were tight.
I have not had a chance to get the front wheel off yet or ride it but will report. THANKS!

 

Maintain your speed while leaning through the corner.

 

I guess I should be more clear, When slowing down to make a turn off a road and applying the brake while leaning the noise/vibration occurs. While cruising through the twisties I notice nothing.

 

Find what caused it yet?