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Neither the front brakes or rear brakes on my bike make excessive noise.

10 (30.3%)

Only the front brake on my bike makes a lot of noise when applied.

11 (33.3%)

Only the rear brake on my bike makes a lot of noise when applied.

10 (30.3%)

Both my front and rear brakes make a lot of noise when applied.

2 (6.1%)

Total Members Voted: 33

[GrantMeStrength]

That stuff needs to be applied to the brake pads AFTER disassembly, right? I can't just slop it around without taking it all apart..

[avernon82]

Correct. It's a 30 min job.

My squeal is back.

[StealthFox]

Another vote for a low speed harmonic howl (it builds in intensity) with light braking pressure. Either my braking style has changed or it seems to be going away with mileage. I have around 900 miles now. 2016 FX. I tried cleaning the rotor with brake cleaner, which didn't help, and next I'm going to pull the pads and look at them for debris.

[avernon82]

Zero dealer put on new pads and rotor. Still howling. I'm about to lemon law this bitch. I'll report back with what Zero has to say on Monday.

[PL3]

On my 2016 S the squeal seems random on braking, noticed a ton of brake dust on the rear wheel after only 600 miles.

[Richard230]

On my 2016 S the squeal seems random on braking, noticed a ton of brake dust on the rear wheel after only 600 miles.

I have the same dust on the rear wheel of my 2014S.  Oddly, I very rarely use the rear brake, mostly just the front brake, leaving regen to take care of braking the rear wheel.  That leads me to believe that the dust is more likely from wear of the drive belt surface, rather than from the brake pads.

[avernon82]

so I have to say, Zero has been giving me great customer service so far. Just didn't want to be too much of a negative nick.

[dv8sean]

From my experience (your results may vary):
1. Proper bed-in of the brakes is extremely helpful to reduce noise. Basically, this is a series of 10+ smooth, firm applications of the brakes from approx 50 MPH down to about 10 MPH.
2. One of the unique aspects of riding a quiet motorcycle is that noises are more evident, since they're not being masked/obscured by induction, exhaust note, and a bunch of reciprocating mass.

[GrantMeStrength]

2. One of the unique aspects of riding a quiet motorcycle is that noises are more evident, since they're not being masked/obscured by induction, exhaust note, and a bunch of reciprocating mass.

Many of us have extensive experience riding: I've been riding 30 years for example. I've never had a bike with brakes squealing like this. It's not a sound that a petrol engine would mask :-)

[avernon82]

yeah, I'm really really tired of people telling me that the bike is quiet and that's why I can hear it. Just makes me angrier. It is a crazy loud howl. My wife can hear it loud and clear from inside the house when I pull up.

[avernon82]

they're now trying to use a tuning app on a phone to tune/detune the spokes.

nuts.

[avernon82]

UPDATE!

The new KLX 250 uses a rubber damper between the hub and the rotor. Part # 92160

http://www.kawasakioemparts.com/oemparts/a/kaw/52e6a395f8700225ac0d0d51/front-brake

SF Moto tried this and BAM, no noise. Zero can't authorize a repair like that, so Zero is sending a wheel Monday morn.

Just an FYI for any DIY ppl.

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

A rubber damper for the purpose makes a lot of sense. On my 13DS, I will say that it's louder than normal brake sounds by far, louder than the average engine and chain.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[avernon82]

After more than a month in the shop, replacing rotor, pads, wheel and adding brake grease, the howl is still there! Zero has called it quits. So i guess I'm going to try the KLX damper.

Zero said they're looking into incorporating a rotor damper into their front end system.

I'm extremely frustrated. My bike sat in the shop for over a month for nothing.

[Kocho]

The brake pad material seems to be the issue on mine. The material is just rough and noisy. You can see here for the EBC pads OEM alternative that I used - I replaced my rears and they are totally quiet.

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=5829.msg44363#msg44363

Best part - it takes just 10 minutes to replace the rear pads, to the cost of about $25:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=5933.msg44335#msg44335

I've ordered the organic EBC front pads too, should be able to report next week on how they work out for me.
 

After more than a month in the shop, replacing rotor, pads, wheel and adding brake grease, the howl is still there! Zero has called it quits. So i guess I'm going to try the KLX damper.

Zero said they're looking into incorporating a rotor damper into their front end system.

I'm extremely frustrated. My bike sat in the shop for over a month for nothing.