Front Rotors Warping

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Jan 4, 2013 | 08:13 AM

dice2010

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 49

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From: Michigan in Summer & So. California Winters

Front Rotors Warping

Is it just me? I like to use my front brake along with my rear break on almost every stop I make. I have a 2012 ElectraGlide Classic with 9,000 miles and the front rotor is warped as I get pulsating when I sue it. My 2009 ElectraGlide Classic had the rotors replaced at about 15,000 because of the same issue. My 2005 RK had them replaced at about 18,000, same issue. Am I the only one that uses the front brake and has this warping problem? I have never seen anything mentioned on the forum about it. Does anyone else had this problem?

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:03 AM

glide2meetu

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,973

Likes: 9

From: Colorado Springs CO

I have read of some problems with warping, although not an expert on it, I think others have had similar problems.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...s-warrant.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...be-turned.html

Aftermarket rotors on this one...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...pm-rotors.html

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ed-roters.html

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ear-rotor.html

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:19 AM

asnowmobiler

Advanced

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 73

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From: JIM THORPE, PA.

Mine warped with less then 3k on them, dealer replaced them without any drama. Since then, Ive been a little easier on the front brakes and havent had any issus in the 4k since.

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:22 AM

gvallanc

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 33

Likes: 1

I had my rotors replaced after 3000 km on a 2012 Street Glide. Vibration was so bad I tried not to use them till they were replaced. NOT IMPRESSED. Makes me think what's next

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:24 AM

Juan L

Moderator

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 107,687

Likes: 20,116

From: Ft. Worth, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by dice2010

Do you hold the brakes after a stop, as in at the stop light? I ususally try to release the brakes so I don't create "hot spots" on the rotor from the pads. The ones on your cage are much thicker and not as susceptable to this problem.

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:39 AM

JY Kelly

Supporter

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 1,685

Likes: 36

From: Hoboken, NJ

My PM Heathen rotors are BOTH warped on my 2010 SG. When I bought the bike, it had 2500mi on it. At around 3000, I started noticing the pulsing. They're unusable now. Gotta take em off and send them to California.

70% of braking is SUPPOSED to be done with the front brake. Not using it so the rotors don't warp is UNACCEPTABLE.

Jan 4, 2013 | 09:43 AM

Hogpro

Former Sponsor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 10,968

Likes: 54

I recommend the Lyndall Carbon Composite rotors as I had really bad warped rotors on one bike and replaced them with these and have had no issues in about 8000 miles thus far. They have a lifetime warranty as well.

As far as why they warp, they get excessively hot and do not dissipate the heat as well as they should. I am a 100% front brake person. I rarely use my rear brake at all. This is how I was taught to ride by sport bike racers and it has always served me well. Id on;t think that you should have to adjust your riding style to fit the rotors. That si ridiculous, however it seems to be a fact of life. The warping is far more common on the newer bagger (09 and up) than anything 08 and earlier.