Squeaky Brakes?

[r.borders]

I've only got about 7300 miles on it and it's been squeaking quite a bit under heavy or light braking just the same. Front brake and back alike. I do LOTS of engine braking, so I cant already need new brakes, do I?

[Scoob]

I had to replace my rear brakes after only 8,000 so it could be possible that they need to be replaced. Havent had to replace my fronts yet.

[Lrdofh8]

I've only got about 7300 miles on it and it's been squeaking quite a bit under heavy or light braking just the same. Front brake and back alike. I do LOTS of engine braking, so I cant already need new brakes, do I?

My fronts started squeaking around my 4k service.  Asked the stealership to look at them, and was told they just needed to be cleaned.  And that worked for about 400 miles, now sqeaking again...

[Ares X]

I've only got about 7300 miles on it and it's been squeaking quite a bit under heavy or light braking just the same. Front brake and back alike. I do LOTS of engine braking, so I cant already need new brakes, do I?

Check them and see how much pad you have left.

[jkimmel]

shoot a little wd 49 on there

[magaffer]

shoot a little wd 49 on there

NOT....

[SLK]

Took me 11000 miles to get to the point where I was at 60 percent wear then in less than 2000 miles it was in getting new pads.  A lot depends on no much dirt you ride on or through. Dirt and gravel roads create a lot of dust on your brake discs and will wear out pads more quickly than riding on paved surfaces.

[wolfraider]

Took me 11000 miles to get to the point where I was at 60 percent wear then in less than 2000 miles it was in getting new pads.  A lot depends on no much dirt you ride on or through. Dirt and gravel roads create a lot of dust on your brake discs and will wear out pads more quickly than riding on paved surfaces.

Very true. After 81k miles my rear rotor is shot and needs to be replaced. My front rotors still look good. Dirt does a lot of it's dirty work over time.

[blakjak]

Mine squeak a little bit here and there. If you're savvy, you can pull the calipers off, take the pads out, clean the backs, apply a light coat of anti squeal compound on them, and re-install.

I just live with the squeaking as it's not that bad.

This stuff is the cats meow though. Used it for years.

[StrykerBilly]

First bike and covered for winter so just some thoughts here.
- 7300 seems early for brakes but then again some tires wear out in that time...  Things on the bikes are made smaller/thinner to keep the weight down so again it's possible.  What does the manual say?
- As others have said could just be dirt/brake dust.  If you have an air compressor bring it on the driveway and blow the snot out of it.  Wear crappy clothes and eye protection as this could get a little messy.
- Have done many brake jobs on cars but never a bike.  Unsure if the pads have wear indicators that would create the squeak.
- Overall I'm guessing that due to a bike's "openness" this should be fairly easy to observe but you'd need to go to a dealership or find a good picture of a new brake pad online to compare against.  I think one of my Stryker buddies said it took less than 15 minutes to change his out.  Guessing the Raider should be similar.
- If you go to the dealership maybe they could do a courtesy look for you.  A mechanic should be able to give you the red/yellow/green observation pretty easily.

Good luck and post back with what happens.

[Ares X]

There are no brake indicators to let you know your brakes are getting low.  The fronts can be checked visually while in place.  The back requires loosening a bolt on the back caliper and checking the pads.  It's easy to do. I need to check mine this weekend. I know they're about due and already have replacements for them.

Cleaning your bike regularly (with a hose) helps keep the squeak to a minimum.

Worse case if you can't get rid of the squeak, just get louder pipes.

[blakjak]

If I'm not mistaken, most motorcycle pads have a slot cut in the middle of the pad material itself that is visible from the edge. That slot is the replacement guide. When the pad wears to that thin, it's time to replace them.

[Ares X]

But it still requires visible verification.  I meant there are no audible indicators like with car brakes.

[StrykerBilly]

But it still requires visible verification.  I meant there are no audible indicators like with car brakes.

Dan, thanks for the confirmation on that.
1 other question, and I know YMMV, but about how many miles did you get before needing pads?

To the OP:  Either use a garden hose or air hose and see if cleaning them up removes the squeak.  Also, take a look at them when you have time based on the info provided because I'm fairly certain the pads are way less money/hassle to replace than the rotors will be if you let them go down to metal-on-metal
P.S.  There will be no mistaking that sound!!

[Ares X]

But it still requires visible verification.  I meant there are no audible indicators like with car brakes.

Dan, thanks for the confirmation on that.
1 other question, and I know YMMV, but about how many miles did you get before needing pads?

To the OP:  Either use a garden hose or air hose and see if cleaning them up removes the squeak.  Also, take a look at them when you have time based on the info provided because I'm fairly certain the pads are way less money/hassle to replace than the rotors will be if you let them go down to metal-on-metal
P.S.  There will be no mistaking that sound!!

I'm a bad person to check with since I put so many miles on my bike.  I lose track of when I change things. I thought I was only getting around 6000-8000 on back tires and then when the dealer and I set down and figured it out, I found out I was averaging 11,000-12,000.

I did find that the OEM brake pads last longer than the EBC pads. I was fliying through the EBCs.  I also used to use a lot more back brake when braking and it seemed like I was swapping out pads every 2-3 months. I'm not doing that anymore.

Sorry that I don't have a better answer, but the truth is I don't really know. I should really keep track of this stuff.

I'm pretty sure I've only changed the front pads twice.  They definitely last a lot longer.